Medicinal Polymer Chemistry
Research Field
I am pleased to introduce myself as Dr. Neralla Vijayakameswara Rao , currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Ph.D. Program in Drug Discovery and Development Industry and a member of theTMU Research Center of Drug Discovery . My researchstimulus-responsive polymers for drug delivery applications . Previously, I worked as an Assistant Professor (Foreign Faculty) in the Chemical Engineering Department at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) from August 2019 until July 31st, 2024. Prior to that, I served as a Research Professor at Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) in South Korea, for about five years.
The primary motivation of my research arises from my strong background in the design and development of polymer-based nanocarriersthat are specifically activated at disease sites, particularly for cancer therapy . Over the past several years,ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) , reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization , and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) .
The primary motivation of my research arises from my strong background in the design and development of polymer-based nanocarriersthat are specifically activated at disease sites, particularly for cancer therapy . Over the past several years,ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) , reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization , and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) .
Using these approaches, I have successfully integrated a variety of therapeutic molecules into polymeric matrices to construct functional nanocarrierswith active or passive targeting capabilities. These systems are designedsite-specific responsiveness and sustained drug release , thereby enhancing therapeutic
My research expertise spans polymer chemistry, nanotechnology, and drug delivery , with a particular emphasis on multifunctional platforms for precision cancer therapy . My work has been published in several high impact papers such as Chemical Engineering Journal , Small , ACS Nano Letters, Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry , European Polymer Journal , Polymer , Journal of Colloid and Interface Science ,The Chemical Record , ACS Applied Bio Materials , Biomacromolecules , Materials Advances , Chemistry, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules ,Nanoscale , and Chemical Communications .
International
- Plum Blossom Card (Permanent Resident Certificate) by Government of Taiwan 2024
- The winner of the 2024 JMS-PAC Early Career Researcher Prize,
- Korean Research Foundation (KRF) – (Outstanding International Research Fellowship) Government of South Korea award for five years.
- National Research Foundation (NRF) - Research Fellow by Government of South Korea in 2015 Grant number: 820802-5760111(Status: Successfully completed the 3 years’ project)
- National Research Foundation (NRF) - Research Fellow by Government of South Korea Grant number in 2018: 2018R1D1A1B07051162.
- Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) Postdoctoral Fellowship.
- Best Presenter award at international polymer conference held in Paris (France).
- Scientist Award (Independent Position): Pool Scientist in Laboratory for Advanced Research in Polymeric Materials (LARPM) a NABL Accredited Laboratory, under Govt. of India. (CIPET/LARPM/BBSR/Appointment/PS/2015-16/336)
National
- Certificate of appreciation award for teaching assistant in Indian Institute of Science Education and Research-Kolkata (IISER-K)
- 2012 February-2015 January, Senior research fellow Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Government of India.
- 2011 November- Indian Institute of Science Education & Research-K, Senior Research Fellowship(SRF).
- 2009 February - Indian Institute of Science Education & Research-K, Junior Research Fellowship(JRF).
- Best poster award in Symposium on Polymer Science-2011 at IISER-Kolkata (10 Dec. 2011). (N. Vijayakameswara Rao.; Shunmugam, R.“Synthesis and Characterization of Norbornene Derived Functional Materials)
- 2009.01-2014.06 Ph.D. Chemical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata,India
Job Description
Working on the design and synthesis of polymers forgene delivery applications . The project focuses on developing advanced polymer- based systems for the safeand efficient delivery of nucleic acids ( such asDNA, RNA, or siRNA) for biomedical and therapeutic applications.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Candidates who are currently pursuing an BS, MS or PhD
Chemistry, Polymer Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences,Chemical Engineering, biomaterals, or a related field .
Skill sets or Qualities
Perform polymer synthesis, modification, and characterization .
Conduct drug loading, release studies, andStability analysis .
Perform in vitro cell culture experiments to evaluate Anticancer activity.
ssist with cell culture experiments to evaluate gene transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity.
Job Description
Conduct polymer synthesis using ROP and ROMP techniques.
Prepare and purify monomersand polymer materials .
Perform polymer characterization using analytical techniques such as NMR, G FTIR, andOther relevant methods.
Assistin designing and optimizing polymerizationreactions .
Maintain laboratory recordsand assist in data analysis andReport preparation .
Support ongoingresearch projects, publications, and presentations.
Preferred Intern Educational Level
Candidates who are currently pursuing an BS, MS or PhD
Chemistry, Polymer Science, Pharmaceutical Sciences,Chemical Engineering, biomaterals, or a related field .
Skill sets or Qualities
polymer synthesis, modification, and characterization .