Congratulations Mithun Madhusudhanan for Receiving a PQI Fellowship for Spring 2025!

Third-year graduate student Mithun Madhusudhanan received a Pittsburgh Quantum Institute (PQI) Fellowship in the Spring 2025 semester.

Originally from Irinjalakuda, Kerala, India, he completed his undergraduate studies in Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram. His research focuses on Computational Organic Chemistry, where he employs quantum mechanical calculations to investigate reaction mechanisms and conducts detailed analyses of stereoelectronic effects to predict how changes in catalyst structure, substituents, and solvents influence reaction rates and selectivity. His work has resulted in several high-impact publications, including in Nature and Chemical Science. Mithun’s primary research involves understanding how stereo electronic effects influence stereoselectivity in heterobimetallic paddlewheel complex-catalyzed C-H insertion reactions. By employing advanced molecular dynamics techniques, he explores how variations in catalyst structure and its environment impact reaction selectivity. This work includes collaborations with leading experts in the field, such as Profs. Huw Davies and Jamal Musaev at Emory University. His aim is to combine advanced computational techniques with state-of-the-art hardware to develop innovative strategies for solving critical challenges in synthetic chemistry.