معرفی
Rajesh Nagarajan is a Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Boise State University, leading the Nagarajan Lab focused on antibiotic resistance, bacterial virulence, and quorum sensing mechanisms. His research integrates bioorganic chemistry, protein biochemistry, and chemical biology to develop antivirulence therapeutics targeting quorum sensing systems.
Education:
- Ph.D. in Chemistry, Wesleyan University (2004)
- M.S. in Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai (1998)
- B.S. in Chemistry, Madras Christian College, Chennai, India (1996)
- MD Postdoc, Johns Hopkins University (2006)
Research focuses on AHL synthase enzymes to develop quorum sensing inhibitors, using techniques like NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and computational modeling. Current projects include medicinal chemistry approaches for QS modulators, molecular biophysics studies of carrier proteins, and structural biology investigations of enzyme-substrate interactions.
Grants:
- National Science Foundation (2019-2023)
- National Institutes of Health R15 (2022-2025)
- National Institutes of Health R21 (2023-2025)
Advising highlights include mentoring students like Seamus Jude (graduated 2023) and Elizabeth Mosqueda (Masters 2023), with active recruitment for postdoctoral and graduate positions. Teaching includes courses in biochemistry and enzymology, emphasizing independent thinking and fundamentals mastery.
Laboratory facilities include advanced instrumentation like the Bruker 600 MHz NMR and stopped-flow fluorometers, enabling cutting-edge biochemical and biophysical analyses.
