Dr. Abith Vattekkatte

Flavor research

Interdisciplinary Project: Chemistry Biochemistry Ecology Crystallography • Conceptualised, executed and developed an alternative route for enzymatic biosynthesis of terpenoids. • Coordinated and managed multiple projects as a liaison between collaborating experts. • Identified novel molecules through an effective combination of analytical techniques. • Mentoring and inspiring doctoral and undergraduate students towards achieving strategic objectives.

Interdisciplinary Project: Chemistry Biochemistry Bioinformatics • Confirmed complicated biosynthetic pathway of multiproduct plant enzymes with labelled probes. • Achieved tough milestones resulting in 3 publications over 4 months through effective time management and collabrative leadership skills. • Enhanced enzymatic turnover by 300% through synthesis and development of analogs as substrates. • Established successful collaboration platform along with structural biologists and bioinformaticians.

• Established a pipeline of Allium (onion and garlic) based organosulfur flavors by modular synthesis. • Designed and synthesized novel (trifluoro seleno-) amino acids and initiated trail applications. • Identified novel lachrymatory volatiles using direct analysis in real time-mass spectrometry.

Summa cum Laude (1.0) Advisor: Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Boland Thesis: Multiproduct Terpene Synthases: Catalytic Promiscuity and Cyclization of Substrate Geometric Isomers

Chemistry, Plant Volatiles Advisor: Dr. Eric Block, Carla Rizzo Delray Distinguished Professor Thesis: Synthesis and Characterization of Organoselenium & Organosulfur Compounds