Dr. Raji Rajesh Lenin

Dr. Raji Rajesh Lenin

Associate Professor
Qualification : Ph D
Email : rajil@srmist.edu.in

Dr. Raji Rajesh Lenin is an Associate Professor (Research) at the Division of Medical Research, SRM Medical College Hospital & Research Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), working since January 2023. With over 15 years of research experience, she is a translational biomedical scientist passionate about decoding disease mechanisms and translating molecular discoveries into innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diabetes, retinal diseases, and diabetic complications.

Her research investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its complications, particularly diabetic retinopathy, with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, autophagy, extracellular vesicle biology, and biomarker discovery.

She earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Madras and completed six years of postdoctoral training at leading research institutions, including the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), Memphis, the University of Kentucky, USA, and the National University of Singapore (NUS). Her research during these appointments focused on ER–mitochondrial crosstalk, endothelial dysfunction, and retinal neurovascular degeneration in diabetes.

At SRMIST, she leads the DíaTREAT Laboratory (Diabetes Treatment and Translational Research Laboratory), where her team integrates molecular biology, cell culture, animal models, and translational approaches to identify novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for diabetes-related complications.

Her overall research record includes 30 PubMed-indexed publications, more than 1,100 citations, an h-index of 16, and over ₹3.33 crore in research funding secured as PI/Co-PI.

She currently leads two major externally funded research projects:

  • ICMR-funded project: Investigating exosome-derived non-coding RNA biomarkers for the early prediction of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Chellaram Diabetes Research Centre-funded project: Developing liposomal drug-delivery strategies as a non-invasive therapeutic approach for retinal diseases.

She mentors Ph.D. scholars and postgraduate and undergraduate students, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and strengthening the interface between clinical and basic science research. She is committed to advancing precision diagnostics and targeted therapies that can make a meaningful difference in the lives of people living with diabetes and its complications.

  • Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Madras (2008-2016)
  • M.Sc. in Biotechnology, Alagappa University  (2004- 2006)
  • B.Sc. in Biotechnology, University of Kerala (2000-2002)
  • Associate Professor, Division of Medical Research, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology  (Sep 2026 - Present)
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Medical Research, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM Institute of Science and Technology  (January 2023 - Aug 2026)
  • Senior Research Fellow at the  National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore (2022–2023)
  • Postdoctoral Scholar  at the University of Kentucky, Kentucky, USA (2019–2021)
  • Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC), USA (2016–2019)
  • Project Associate at Cancer Biology Lab, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, India on the DST Project titled: “A study on the transforming growth factor-β signaling intermediate, Smad3, in human cervical cancer", under the eminent guidance of Professor. D. Karunagaran, Department of Biotechnology,
  • Indian Institute of Technology (IITM), Chennai. (2007- 2008)
  • Junior Research Fellow at Stem Cell Biology Lab, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Trivandrum, India, worked in a DBT Project titled: “Development of cell therapy strategy to treat glaucoma using retinal ganglion cells generated from embryonic stem cells.” with Dr. Jackson James, (Jun 2006- Dec 2006)
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Molecular Medicine
  • Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Retinal Diseases
  • ER stress signaling
  • ER-mitochondrial crosstalk
  • Mitophagy
  • Extracellular vesicle biology
  • Drug Delivery
  • Biomarker discovery.

Funded Projects

  • Title : Exosomal derived regulatory noncoding RNAs as diagnostic markers in Diabetic Retinopathy
    Role: PI
    Funding Agency: ICMR – IIRPSG 2024
    Year & Duration : 2024-2027(3yrs)
    Sanctioned Amount : Rs. 1,15,90,063
  • Title : Targeted Drug Delivery of the Repurposed Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid for treating Diabetic Retinopathy Role: PI
    Funding Agency : Chellaram Diabetes Research Centre
    Year & Duration : 2025-2027 (3yrs)
    Sanctioned Amount : Rs, 25,65,150
  • Title : Investigating Exosomes for Early Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy Role: PI
    Funding Agency : SERI, SRMIST
    Year & Duration : 2025-2027 (2yrs)
    Sanctioned Amount : Rs. 3,75,000
  • Title: Investigating the Impact of Homeopathic Therapy on Clinical Metabolic Control and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Patients of Stage III & IV Periodontitis with Diabetes: A Randomized Multi-Arm Clinical Trial Role: Co-PI
    Funding Agency: Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (CCRH)
    Year & Duration: 2025-2027 (3yrs)
    Sanctioned Amount : Rs. 1,38,22,296

Publications

  • Raji RL*, Santosh N, Bibin GA, Reframing Alzheimer’s Disease Pathogenesis from the Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis to Mitochondrial PINK1 Centric Perspective. Cellular and Molecular, 2026  (Corresponding)
  • Nandalal S, Haridoss M, Raji RL*. Liposomal compositions for posterior ocular therapeutics - systematic review. J Liposome Res. 2026 Feb. PMID: 41622552. [2026] (Corresponding)
  • Madhumitha H, Dhruva Nandi, Raji RL, Shiny PJ, Anantharaman VV, Rajiv Janardhanan, Health-seeking behaviour for Non-communicable diseases and its determinants in India- A systematic review and meta-analysis. Accepted in Frontiers in Public health, May 2025
  • Anwesh Pandey, Raji RL, Sumeet Patoyal and Piyush Agrawal*, High Throughput Meta-analysis of Antimicrobial Peptides for Characterizing Class Specific Therapeutic Candidates: An in-silico Approach. Accepted in Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins, May 2025 (In Press) (Co- First Author)
  • Santosh N, Harshitha V, Madhimitha H, Krithika R, Raji RL* Deciphering the role of exosomal derived regulatory noncoding RNAs as potential biomarkers for diabetic retinopathy: A systematic review. International Journal of Retina and Vitreous, Dec 18, 2024 (Corresponding)
  • Pandian U, Arun K, Raji RL, Dev A, Kumar JS. Patterns of Cerebrovascular Accidents in Antiphospholipid Syndrome. July 24 2024; DOI: 10.7759/cureus.65243
  • Naveen V, Raji RL, Stanley LM, Kumar JS. Serum Magnesium Levels and QTc Interval Prolongation as Prognostic Markers in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Randomized Controlled Study. Aug 03 2024; DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66051
  • Ajay D, Nanda Kumar R, Arun K, Sivan G, Raji RL, Kumar JS. Correlation of Mean Platelet Volume and Red Cell Distribution Width with HbA1c and Its Association with Micro vascular Complications in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Study at a Tertiary Hospital in India. Cureus. Aug 04 2024; DOI: 10.7759/cureus.66139
  • Ramya Kiran N, Jayakumar KT, Raji RL, Nikhil Kumar G, Kumar JS. Association of fibrinogen with HbA1C in diabetic foot ulcer. Aug 19 2024; DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67174
  • Sundaram SM, Raji RL, Janardhanan R. FGF4 alleviates hyperglycemia in diabetes and obesity conditions. Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Oct;34(10):583-585.
  • Raji RL*, Koh YH, Zhang Z, Yeo YZ, Parikh BH, Seah I, Wong W, Su X. Dysfunctional Autophagy, Proteostasis, and Mitochondria as a Prelude to Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 May 15;24(10):8763. (First and Corresponding)
  • Raji RL*, Monickaraj F: Online Letters to the Editor titled “Diabetic Retinopathy Dilemma- Beyond the Surface”  Diabetes Journal, 10.2337/db24-0629 (First and Corresponding)
  • Michael OS, Kanthakumar P, Soni H, Raji RL, Jha KA, Gangaraju R, et al. Urotensin II system in chronic kidney disease. Current Research in Physiology. 2024:100126.
  • Hart SN, Raji RL, Sturgill J, Kern PA, Nikolajczyk B. Mitochondria-associated membranes are not altered in immune cells in T2D. bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2024 Mar 29:2024.03.25.586170.
  • Raji RL, Jha KA, Gentry J, Shrestha A, Culp EV, Vaithianathan T, Gangaraju R. Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Alleviates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Mediated Visual Deficits in Diabetic tie2-TNF Transgenic Mice via TGR5 Signaling. J Ocul Pharmacol Ther. 2023 Mar;39(2):159-174.
  • SantaCruz-Calvo S, Bharath L, Pugh G, SantaCruz-Calvo L, Raji RL, et al. Adaptive immune cells shape obesity-associated type 2 diabetes mellitus and less prominent comorbidities. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2022 Jan;18(1):23-42.
  • Jha KA, Pentecost M, Raji RL, et al. TSG-6 in conditioned media from adipose mesenchymal stem cells protects against visual deficits in mild traumatic brain injury model through neurovascular modulation. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2019 Nov 5; 10(1):318.
  •  Raji RL, Nagy PG, Jha KA, et al. GRP78 translocation to the cell surface and OGlcNAcylation of VE-Cadherin contribute to ER stress-mediated endothelial permeability. Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 25; 9(1):10783.
  •  Raji RL, Thomas SM, Gangaraju R. Endothelial activation and Oxidative stress in neurovascular defects of retina. Curr Pharm Des. 2018;24(40):4742-4754.
  •  Elshaer SL, Evans W, Pentecost M, Raji RL, et al. Adipose stem cells and their paracrine factors are therapeutic for early retinal complications of diabetes in the Ins2 Akita mouse. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2018; 9(1):322.
  • Raji RL, Nagy PG, Alli S, et al. Critical role of endoplasmic reticulum stress in chronic endothelial activation-induced visual deficits in tie2- tumor necrosis factor mice. J Cell Biochem. 2018; 119(10):8460-8471.
  • Raji RL, Nagy PG, Gentry J, Gangaraju R. Featured Article: Deterioration of visual function mediated by senescence-associated endoplasmic reticulum stress in inflammatory tie2-TNF mice. Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2018.
  • Jha KA, Pentecost M, Raji RL, et al. Concentrated Conditioned Media from Adipose Tissue Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mitigates Visual Deficits and Retinal Inflammation Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19(7).
  • Balakumar M, Raji RL, Prabhu D, et al. High-fructose diet is as detrimental as high-fat diet in the induction of insulin resistance and diabetes mediated by hepatic/pancreatic endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Molecular and cellular biochemistry. 2016; 423(1-2):93-104.
  • Sathishkumar C, Prabu P, Balakumar M, Raji RL, et al. Augmentation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) epigenetic signature at the interface of proinflammation and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes. Clin Epigenetics. 2016; 8:125.
  • Raji RL, Sankaramoorthy A, Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. Altered immunometabolism at the interface of increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in patients with type 2 diabetes. J Leukoc Biol. 2015; 98(4):615-22.
  • Raji RL, Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. SEAP activity serves for demonstrating ER stress induction by glucolipotoxicity as well as testing ER stress inhibitory potential of therapeutic agents. Mol Cell Biochem. 2015; 404(1-2):271-9.
  • Raji RL, Maria MS, Agrawal M, Balasubramanyam J, Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. Amelioration of glucolipotoxicity-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by a "chemical 5 chaperone" in human THP-1 monocytes. Exp Diabetes Res. 2012; 2012:356487.
  • Balasubramanyam M, Raji RL, Monickaraj F. Endoplasmic reticulum stress in diabetes: New insights of clinical relevance. Indian J Clin Biochem. 2010; 25(2):111-8.
  • Sameer MZ, Raji RL, Saravanan T, Vaidya A, Mohan V, Balasubramanyam M. Gallic acid protects RINm5F beta-cells from glucolipotoxicity by its antiapoptotic and insulin secretagogue actions. Phytother Res. 2010; 24 Suppl 1: S83-94.
  • INSA Visiting Scientist Award — Indian National Science Academy (INSA) | 2025
  • Neuroscience Institute Postdoctoral Research Support — UTHSC, Memphis, USA | 2019
  • UTHSC Spring Travel Award — UTHSC, Memphis, USA | 2019
  • Junior Postdoctoral Achievement Award — UTHSC, Memphis, USA | 2018
  • Neuroscience Institute Postdoctoral Research Support — UTHSC, Memphis, USA | 2017
  • Alston Callahan Fellowship — International Retinal Research Foundation, USA | 2017

Society Memberships

  • Lifetime member- Indian Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ID: InSeV/2026/309)
  • Lifetime member- Society for Biomaterials and Artificial Organs India (ID: SBAOI/ LM1007)
  • Lifetime member- Indian Extracellular Vesicles Society (ID: IEVS/EM/023629162)
  • Lifetime Member Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI)
  • Member- Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology ARVO (2016-2019)

PhD Scholars

  • Name: Santhosh N
    Email: sn4895@srmist.edu.in
    Education:M.SC
    Area of interest: Liposomal drug delivery, DR, Cell signaling, & Bioinformatics
  • Name: Harshitha V
    Email: hv6420@srmist.edu.in
    Education:M.SC
    Area of interest: EV biology, DR, and Cell signaling
  • Name: Amrith Ramakrishnan.D
    Email: amrithrd@srmist.edu.in
    Education:M.SC
    Area of interest: Mitochondrial dysfunction & cellular stress in DR
  • Name:Pooja K
    Email: pk0372@srmist.edu.in
    Education:M.Sc
    Area of interest: Gold Nanoparticle, flavonoids and DR

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