Ramesh Raina

Ramesh Raina is Professor and Executive Director of the Biotechnology Program in the Department of Biology at Syracuse University. His research investigates epigenetic mechanisms regulating plant defense against pathogens and stress responses, combining genetic, molecular, and genomic approaches.

Raina's lab focuses on how plants perceive environmental signals and activate defense pathways against pathogens. Current projects examine receptor-like kinase signaling, small defense-associated proteins, and epigenetic regulators of immunity. His team identified novel roles for microRNAs in pathogen defense and characterized stress-responsive lipid transfer proteins contributing to both biotic and abiotic stress tolerance.

Raina directs Syracuse's interdisciplinary biotechnology program and mentors students through the Math Clinic initiative that connects mathematics with biological problem-solving. His scientific contributions to plant stress physiology and defense mechanisms have been recognized with Syracuse University's Chancellor's Medal and Citation for Excellence.