Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy: Born on August 21, 1946, in India, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy’s early education unfolded far from the laboratories and lecture halls he would later command. After completing his primary and secondary schooling in a village setting, he pursued undergraduate studies at Government Arts College, Kumbakonam, earning his B.Sc. degree in 1966.
This formative period instilled in him a disciplined work ethic and an enduring respect for education as a transformative force. His academic promise soon led him to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, where he completed his M.Sc. degree in 1968, marking his entry into elite scientific training.
Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy: International Training and Doctoral Excellence
Driven by a desire to explore chemistry at its frontiers, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy moved to the United States for graduate studies at the University of Hawaii, Honolulu, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1974. His doctoral work laid the groundwork for a career defined by fearless exploration of new scientific territory.
He further refined his expertise through prestigious postdoctoral appointments with two giants of photochemistry:
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Professor P. de Mayo at the University of Western Ontario (1974–1975)
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Professor N. J. Turro at Columbia University (1975–1978)
These years shaped Ramamurthy’s scientific philosophy—deep theoretical understanding paired with experimental boldness.
Building Indian Photochemistry at IISc
In 1978, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy returned to India to join the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, as an Assistant Professor. Over nearly a decade, he built one of the country’s earliest and most productive research programs in organic photochemistry.
During this phase, he:
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Supervised 16 Ph.D. students
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Published nearly 120 research papers
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Initiated pioneering studies in thiocarbonyl photochemistry and supramolecular photochemistry
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Co-edited a special issue of Tetrahedron on Organic Chemistry in Anisotropic Media
This period firmly established him as one of India’s first internationally recognized operator-level photochemists.
Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy: Industry Innovation at DuPont
In 1987, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy joined the Central Research Division of The DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware, as a Senior Scientist. This transition marked a critical evolution in his research—from traditional solution chemistry to photochemistry within zeolites and constrained media.
At DuPont, he produced pioneering work demonstrating how zeolite interiors could control excited-state molecular behavior, leading to unprecedented selectivity in photochemical reactions. These contributions opened entirely new research directions worldwide.
During this period, he also:
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Edited the influential monograph “Photochemistry in Organized and Constrained Media”
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Co-edited a landmark two-volume special issue of Chemical Reviews on Photochemistry
These works provided a new intellectual framework for the field and remain essential references today.
Tulane University and the Rise of Chiral Photochemistry
In 1994, Ramamurthy assumed the role of Bernard-Baus Professor of Chemistry at Tulane University, New Orleans. This phase marked one of the most productive eras of his career.
At Tulane, he:
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Guided 17 Ph.D. students
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Published over 100 research papers
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Initiated major programs in chiral and supramolecular photochemistry
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Co-edited a 12-volume series on Molecular and Supramolecular Photochemistry
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Edited special issues for The Journal of Physical Chemistry and Tetrahedron
His group demonstrated, for the first time, how zeolites could serve as powerful media for selective and chiral photochemical transformations, a contribution that profoundly influenced both photochemistry and supramolecular science.
Leadership and Innovation at the University of Miami
In January 2005, Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy joined the University of Miami as Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry, a position he held until 2013. Under his leadership, the department experienced a period of renewed research vigor and global visibility.
At Miami, he founded and continues to lead the Ramamurthy Research Group, dedicated to the concept of “chemistry in a capsule.” His work focuses on photochemical reactions in water-soluble organic hosts, revealing how confined aqueous environments can precisely control molecular behavior.
This shift in research emphasis resulted in publications widely admired for their originality, conceptual depth, and elegance.
Author of a Definitive Textbook
One of Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy’s most enduring contributions is the co-authorship of “Modern Molecular Photochemistry of Organic Molecules” (2010), written with Professors N. J. Turro and J. C. Scaiano.
The book is universally regarded as a foundational and definitive text, serving advanced students, researchers, and educators across the globe. Its clarity, depth, and intellectual rigor ensure its relevance for decades to come.
Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy: Recognition & Awards
The scientific community has recognized Vaidhyanathan Ramamurthy’s influence through numerous honors, including:
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Fulbright–Nehru Distinguished Chair Award (2024)
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Cooper Fellowship
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LAS Faculty Research Award, University of Miami