Mithun is a third-year graduate student in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh, working under the guidance of Prof. Peng Liu. 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 Angewandte Chemie. 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.
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