Biographical Sketch

Dr. G.V.R. Sarma

Professor & Head, Chemical Research · Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College, Visakhapatnam

68Publications

14Granted Patents

13Ph.D.s Awarded

600+Molecules Synthesized

3,500+Students Mentored

Dr. G.V.R. Sarma is a distinguished chemist with over three decades of research, teaching, and industry experience spanning organic synthesis, medicinal chemistry, and natural products. He has made significant contributions to the discovery of novel molecules, several of which have advanced to clinical trials (Phase 2 and beyond). His broad scientific training — from the Indian Institute of Science (Ph.D.) to postdoctoral fellowships at leading institutions in India, Germany, and the United States — has equipped him with a unique multidisciplinary perspective.

Academic Background

Education

Ph.D.

Indian Institute of Science

1993

M.Sc.

Andhra University

1986

B.Sc.

Nagarjuna University

1984

Postdoctoral Training

Post-Doctoral Studies

1993 – 1994

Postdoctoral Fellow

University of Hyderabad, India

1994 – 1996

Alexander von Humboldt Fellow

University of Freiburg, Germany

1996 – 1997

Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Chicago, USA

1997 – 1998

Postdoctoral Researcher

Purdue University, USA

Career

Positions & Scientific Appointments

2004 – 2009

Associate Director

Orchid Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

2009 – 2025

Associate Professor & Professor, Department of Chemistry

GITAM Deemed to be University, Visakhapatnam

2023 – 2025

Director, Faculty Development

GITAM Deemed to be University

Jul – Dec 2025

Research Scientist

Enveda Biosciences, Andhra University Campus

Present

Professor & Head, Chemical Research

Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College, Visakhapatnam

Professional Affiliations

Memberships

Life Member, Indian Science Congress

Life Member, Association of Chemistry Teachers

Life Member, Andhra University Alumni Association

Life Member, Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association

Life Member, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Germany

Life Member, American Chemical Society

Life Member, Indian Chemical Society

Life Member, Society of Biological Chemists (India)

Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC)

Peer Reviewer — Journal of Heterocyclic Chemistry (Wiley)

Peer Reviewer — Synthetic Communications (Taylor & Francis)

Peer Reviewer — European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry (Elsevier)

Peer Reviewer — Heterocyclic Communications (De Gruyter)

Peer Reviewer — Nature Group and American Chemical Society journals

Recognition

Honors & Awards

CSIR Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) & Senior Research Fellowship (SRF)

Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany

Prof. B.H. Iyer Medal for the Best Ph.D. Thesis

Inventor Award, Orchid Research Labs

Postgraduate Distinction

Undergraduate Best Student Prize

Teaching and Leadership Award, IUCEE

Pfizer Appreciation Award

Scientific Impact

Contribution to Science

Area 01

Organic Synthesis and Medicinal Chemistry

Dr. Sarma has synthesized and characterized more than 600 novel molecules over the course of his career, with several compounds advancing into clinical trials at Phase 2 and beyond. His work spans the design and synthesis of bioactive heterocyclic scaffolds, with applications in drug discovery and pharmaceutical development.

Area 02

Natural Products Chemistry

His research program encompasses the isolation, characterization, and total synthesis of natural products with therapeutic relevance. This work integrates classical synthetic methods with modern spectroscopic characterization techniques.

Area 03

Novel Materials

In addition to pharmaceutical applications, Dr. Sarma has contributed to the design and synthesis of novel functional materials, broadening the translational impact of his synthetic chemistry expertise.

Area 04

Research Mentorship and Capacity Building

Dr. Sarma has awarded 13 Ph.D.s with one candidate who has submitted. He mentored a DST-SERB National Post-Doctoral Fellow and served as Co-PI on a UGC-funded project. He was Principal Investigator on the DBT-SAHAJ institutional grant (₹20 Crores, provisionally accepted). MoUs established with Solara Pharma, Dr. Reddy's, and Pfizer for the B.Sc. Chemistry program reflect his bridge-building between academia and industry.

Funding

Research Support

DBT-SAHAJ Institutional Project

Principal Investigator₹20 Crores (provisionally accepted)

A large-scale institutional research initiative in chemical sciences supported by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

UGC Research Project

Co-Principal InvestigatorCompleted

Research in synthetic and medicinal chemistry; contributed to publications and student training.