Das Thamattoor received a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in chemistry from the Government Arts and Science College, Karwar, India and a Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in organic chemsitry from Karnatak University, Dharwad, India. After obtaining a Ph.D. from Princeton University, he spent a year at Oberlin College in Ohio as a Visiting Assistant Professor. He then worked for a year as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Notre Dame before joining the Colby College chemistry department.
At Colby, Das has taught the first half of the general chemistry sequence, both halves of introductory organic chemistry, advanced courses in reaction mechanisms, and a course for nonmajors. Last fall he taught the first semester of introductory organic chemistry. He is on sabbatical in the spring semester.
Das' research interests include reaction mechanisms, reactive intermediates, photochemistry, and computational chemistry.