Dr. Rajesh Ramakrishnan is an Associate Professor of Biology, Division of Natural Sciences, Engineering, and Mathematics and Adjunct Professor in Peavy School of Nursing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology from the University of Arizona in 2005, after completing his M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Microbiology from the University of Mumbai, India. He completed postgraduate training at Baylor College of Medicine in Molecular Virology & Microbiology, establishing a strong foundation in infectious disease research and education. 

He has extensive teaching experience across microbiology, anatomy and physiology, nursing pathophysiology, and behavioral neuroscience with roles at the University of St. Thomas and Houston Community College. His contributions include curriculum development, laboratory instruction, and coordination of Nursing Pathophysiology courses. He has been repeatedly recognized for teaching excellence, including numerous nominations for the St. Thomas Aquinas Excellence in Teaching Award. He has also created educational modules for nursing camps at University of St. Thomas, such as those focused on herd immunity and vaccination. 

Dr. Ramakrishnan’s research centers on molecular virology and microbiology, including development of anti-microbials targeting biofilms, HIV-1 infection, and neurodevelopmental disorders. He has authored over 25 peer-reviewed publications and mentored many student research projects across diverse biological fields. His service includes leadership roles in student support initiatives, editorial work with BMC Research Notes, and participation in institutional committees. He is also active in professional organizations and community outreach, contributing to science education and public health awareness. 

Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 

M.Sc. in Microbiology, University of Mumbai (Bombay), India 

B.Sc. in Microbiology, University of Mumbai (Bombay), India 

Selected publications:  

1) Crossland RF, Balasa A, Ramakrishnan R, Mahadevan SK, Fiorotto ML, Van den Veyver IB. Chronic Maternal Low-Protein Diet in Mice Affects Anxiety, Night-Time Energy Expenditure and Sleep Patterns, but Not Circadian Rhythm in Male Offspring. PLoS One. 2017 Jan 18;12(1):e0170127. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170127. Erratum in: PLoS One. 2018 Jul 17;13(7):e0201079. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201079. PMID: 28099477; PMCID: PMC5242516.

2) Ramakrishnan R, Liu H, Rice AP. Short communication: SAHA (vorinostat) induces CDK9 Thr-186 (T-loop) phosphorylation in resting CD4+ T cells: implications for reactivation of latent HIV. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2015 Jan;31(1):137-41. doi: 10.1089/AID.2013.0288. PMID: 24528253; PMCID: PMC4287136.

3) Wellensiek BP, Ramakrishnan R, Bashyal BP, Eason Y, Gunatilaka AA, Ahmad N. Inhibition of HIV-1 Replication by Secondary Metabolites From Endophytic Fungi of Desert Plants. Open Virol J. 2013 Jul 26;7:72-80. doi: 10.2174/1874357920130624002. PMID: 23961302; PMCID: PMC3744856.

4) Ramakrishnan R, Liu H, Donahue H, Malovannaya A, Qin J, Rice AP. Identification of novel CDK9 and Cyclin T1-associated protein complexes (CCAPs) whose siRNA depletion enhances HIV-1 Tat function. Retrovirology. 2012 Oct 30;9:90. doi: 10.1186/1742-4690-9-90. PMID: 23110726; PMCID: PMC3494656.

5) Ramakrishnan R, Rice AP. Cdk9 T-loop phosphorylation is regulated by the calcium signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol. 2012 Feb;227(2):609-17. doi: 10.1002/jcp.22760. PMID: 21448926; PMCID: PMC3146566.

6) Ramakrishnan R, Donahue H, Garcia D, Tan J, Shimizu N, Rice AP, Ling PD. Epstein-Barr virus BART9 miRNA modulates LMP1 levels and affects growth rate of nasal NK T cell lymphomas. PLoS One. 2011;6(11):e27271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027271. Epub 2011 Nov 10. PMID: 22102884; PMCID: PMC3213120.

7) Ramakrishnan R, Ahmad N. Derivation of primary sequences and secondary structures of rev responsive element from HIV-1 infected mothers and infants following vertical transmission. Virology. 2007 Mar 1;359(1):201-11. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.09.003. Epub 2006 Oct 11. PMID: 17045321.

8) Sundaravaradan V, Saxena SK, Ramakrishnan R, Yedavalli VR, Harris DT, Ahmad N. Differential HIV-1 replication in neonatal and adult blood mononuclear cells is influenced at the level of HIV-1 gene expression. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2006 Aug 1;103(31):11701-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0602185103. Epub 2006 Jul 25. PMID: 16868088; PMCID: PMC1544233.

9) Ramakrishnan R, Hussain M, Holzer A, Mehta R, Sundaravaradan V, Ahmad N. Evaluations of HIV type 1 rev gene diversity and functional domains following perinatal transmission. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2005 Dec;21(12):1035-45. doi: 10.1089/aid.2005.21.1035. PMID: 16379607.