Which chemical reaction makes cooked basmati rice so fragrant? Have you ever wondered how plants like tulsi, turmeric, and karela might be used to prevent and even cure disease? This highly-anticipated Chat Masala with Dr. Mukund Chorghade, a distinguished professor of Organic Chemistry, reveals answers to these and many more intriguing questions in the world of chemistry. We dig into topics like what traits differentiate Nobel Laureates from the rest of us, the ethical consequences of making drugs, and most of all, what are a chemist's favorite jokes! We also talk about the role of integrity in research, some crazy stories of how witnessing a border skirmish on the Indo-Chinese border sparked his love of the field, his many interactions with Nobel Laureates, and even weighs in on the existence of inorganic lifeforms. This episode of Chat Masala is a must-watch to all the budding chemists out there. ~~

Timestamps: 0:00 - 1:49 Introduction 1:49 - 2:41 Non-carbon lifeforms 2:41 - 4:50 India’s border skirmish with China 4:50 - 7:45 Meeting Professor Glen D. Seeborg 7:45 - 10:06 Academic and professional journey 10:06 - 16:05 What makes a Nobel Laureate? 16:05 - 19:00 Process-driven medicinal chemistry 19:20 - 20:30 The ethics of drug discovery 20:30 - 21:57 The unintended consequences of drugs 21:57 - 23:50 Drug causes birth defects 23:50 - 26:20 The future of the chemistry field 26:20 - 27:27 Bridging the gulf between allopathy and Ayurveda 27:27 - 29:15 The chemistry and uses of turmeric 29:15 - 30:45 Pomegranate can cure prostate cancer? 30:45 - 32:57 Tulsi plant for COVID treatment 32:57 - 35:05 Plants that can manage obesity 35:05 - 35:35 Karela for blood sugar 35:35 - 38:35 Crazy reason I became an entrepreneur 38:35 -39:57 The best part of being a professor and businessperson 39:57 - 41:35 Ayush ministry 41:35 - 44:36 Chemistry jokes and fun 44:36 - 49:44 Rapid fire ~~~

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