Krishnaswami Raja

Krishnaswami Raja is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the College of Staten Island, part of the City University of New York (CUNY). He holds an Integrated Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science and has over fifteen years of experience in both academic and industrial research. His work bridges organic chemistry, polymer science, and biomedical applications, with a strong emphasis on natural products like curcumin for drug development.

His research interests span biomaterials, organic chemistry, polymer synthesis, drug discovery and development, nanotechnology, and green chemistry. He has made significant contributions to the design of curcumin-based therapeutics, antimicrobial polymers, and biomimetic materials inspired by natural systems such as chemical gardens and marine sponges. His lab develops innovative drug delivery systems, including PLGA nanofibers, dendrimer nanoparticles, and polymer-protein hybrids, with applications in cancer therapy, wound healing, and metal chelation.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on bioinspired materials, green drug design, and the therapeutic potential of curcumin derivatives. His work integrates synthetic chemistry with biological evaluation, often leading to patentable technologies. Themes include self-assembling tubules, click chemistry for bioconjugation, and the enhancement of curcumin’s solubility and bioactivity.

• Rapid bactericidal polymers
• Curcumin-based anticancer agents
• Biomimetic scaffolds for 3D cell culture
• Green chemistry approaches to drug delivery
• Antimicrobial and wound healing materials

Dr. Raja has mentored numerous doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, and over fifty undergraduate researchers. His research has been funded by federal agencies and industry partners. He has served on international conference panels and as an editor or advisory board member for peer-reviewed journals.

He teaches a wide range of undergraduate courses, including Organic Chemistry, General Chemistry, Chemistry for non-science majors, and Nursing Chemistry, as well as the graduate course Advanced Polymer Chemistry. His laboratory, focused on bioorganic and polymer chemistry, continues to explore novel materials for biomedical applications, with ongoing projects in nutraceutical delivery, antimicrobial surfaces, and sustainable pharmaceutical technologies.