Lakshmi Rajagopal

Lakshmi Rajagopal serves as an Adjunct Professor of Microbiology and Professor of Pediatrics and Global Health at the University of Washington School of Medicine. She is affiliated with Seattle Children's Hospital where her office is located at 1900 Ninth Ave, Seattle, WA 98101. Her research bridges microbiology, infectious diseases, and maternal-fetal medicine with a particular focus on Group B Streptococcus and viral infections during pregnancy.

Dr. Rajagopal's research interests center on microbial pathogenesis, particularly Group B Streptococcus infections in pregnancy and neonatal contexts, congenital viral infections including Zika virus, and the neurodevelopmental consequences of maternal infections. Her work spans basic microbiology, immunology, and translational studies using nonhuman primate models to investigate how infections during pregnancy affect fetal brain development.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong focus on understanding the mechanisms of bacterial and viral pathogenesis during pregnancy, with particular attention to Group B Streptococcus and Zika virus. Her research bridges basic science with clinical implications, examining how these infections impact fetal development, placental function, and neonatal outcomes. She frequently employs nonhuman primate models in her research, which provides valuable translational insights.

Dr. Rajagopal has published extensively in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Acta Neuropathologica Communications, and mBio. Her collaborative approach is evident in her numerous multi-investigator studies, particularly with the Adams Waldorf research group at Seattle Children's.

Her work has significant implications for understanding and preventing infectious complications of pregnancy, with potential applications for improving maternal and child health outcomes globally. She appears to be an active researcher with publications spanning from 2021 through 2025, demonstrating ongoing contributions to her field.