Alongside educating the next generations of physicians and researchers, Viswanathan (Vishwa) Rajagopalan is investigating the roles of long noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular, thyroid, and associated disorders using advanced biomedical technologies. Dr. Raj’s research is aimed at yielding new therapeutic and diagnostic tools catering to the unmet needs in cardiovascular and integrative medicine. He also mentors medical and undergraduate trainees, students, and research scholars who often earn co-authorship on conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications.
Dr. Raj began his career at the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, where India’s heart transplant program was pioneered. He obtained comprehensive general and cardiothoracic clinical training and earned a degree from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS). Following his tenure as a healthcare professional, Dr. Raj moved to the United States for advanced training in cardiovascular sciences. After completing his doctoral studies in molecular and translational aspects of physiology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, he began postdoctoral work at the Stanford University Medical Center, which is known for groundbreaking contributions in human heart transplantation. Dr. Raj then served as an instructor/fellow at New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, investigating molecular and translatable strategies of thyroid hormones for various cardiovascular and associated disorders.
Recent Projects/Research
- Long noncoding RNAs in cardiovascular, thyroid and related disorders
- Translatable thyroid hormone-based therapy for cardiac dysfunction and heart failure
- Development of novel clinically relevant biomarkers and treatment strategies
Publications
- V Rajagopalan, Y Zhang, C Pol, C Costello, S Seitter, A Lehto, OV Savinova, Y Chen, AM Gerdes. Modified Low-Dose Triiodo-L-thyronine Therapy Safely Improves Function Following Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury. Front Physiol. 2017 April 12; 8:225.
- V Rajagopalan, Y Zhang, K Ojamaa, Y-F Chen, A Pingitore, CJ Pol, D Saunders, K Balasubramanian, R Towner, AM Gerdes. Safe Oral Triiodo-L-thyronine Therapy Protects from Post-infarct Cardiac Dysfunction and Arrhythmias without Cardiovascular Adverse Effects. PLoS One. 2016 Mar 16;11(3):e0151413.
- V Rajagopalan, AM Gerdes. Role of Thyroid Hormones in Ventricular Remodeling. Current Heart Failure Reports. 2015 Apr;12(2):141-9.
- Y Zhang, EI Dedkov, D Teplitsky, NY Weltman, CJ Pol, V Rajagopalan, B Lee, AM Gerdes. Both Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Increase Atrial Fibrillation Inducibility in Rats. Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology 2013 Oct1;6(5):952-9.
- V Rajagopalan, M Zhao, S Reddy, G Fajardo, X Wang, S Dewey, AV Gomes, D Bernstein. Altered ubiquitin-proteasome signaling in right ventricular hypertrophy and failure. American Journal of Physiology Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2013 Aug;305(4):H551-62.
- VA de Jesus Perez, K Yuan, ME Orcholski, H Sawada, M Zhao, CG Li, NF Tojais, N Nickel, V Rajagopalan, E Spiekerkoetter, L Wang, R Dutta, D Bernstein, M Rabinovitch. Loss of Adenomatous Poliposis Coli-a3 Integrin Interaction Promotes Endothelial Apoptosis in Mice and Humans. Circulation Research, 2012, Dec 7;111(12):1551-64.
Honors and Awards
- Caroline Tum Suden/Frances Hellebrandt Professional Opportunity Award, American Physiological Society, 2015
- American Heart Association Postdoctoral Grant, Western States Affiliate, 2010-2012
- Stanford University Dean’s Postdoctoral Fellowship and Alex Vibber Endowed Fellowship in Pediatric Cardiology Research, Palo Alto, CA, 2009
- Cardiovascular Section Research Recognition Award, one of nine awards from the American Physiological Society (APS), Experimental Biology Conference, San Diego, CA, 2008
- American Heart Association (AHA) Abstract Travel Award, Council of Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS), AHA Scientific Sessions, Dallas, TX, 2005
Courses Taught at New York Tech
- Cardiovascular System
- Biomedical Sciences
- Case-based Learning
- Academic Scholars Research