Rate My Professor K Rao

Dr. K. Jagajjanani Rao serves as Professor (Research) in the Department of Biotechnology, Dean (Research Studies), and Head of the Centre for Interfaces and Nanomaterials at Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai. He earned his Ph.D. from the National Institute of Technology Rourkela, specializing in materials science with a focus on photocatalysis. His academic career includes postdoctoral research supported by the Innovative Postdoctoral Research Grant from DBT-BIRAC at the University of Rajasthan (2015-2018). Dr. Rao's research interests encompass green nanotechnologies, applied biotechnology, water treatment technologies, multifunctional nanomaterials, organic-inorganic nanocomposites for wastewater remediation, novel nanocides for antimicrobial applications, colloidal sulfur-based green pesticides, and value-added products from algal biomass.

Dr. Rao has led funded projects, including the DST AgroTech project 'Multifunctional Colloidal Sulphur Particles: A Promising Green Pesticide for Practical Agriculture Applications' (2020-2022, Rs. 27,19,114), in collaboration with IIT Chennai, as well as DBT-sponsored initiatives on SLS-free foaming agents, smart textile materials, and algal biomass valorization. His key publications include 'Aegle marmelos leaf extract and plant surfactants mediated green synthesis of Au and Ag nanoparticles by optimizing process parameters using Taguchi method' (ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 2015), 'Mixed phytochemicals mediated synthesis of multifunctional Ag–Au–Pd nanoparticles for glucose oxidation and antimicrobial applications' (ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2015), 'Phytochemicals mediated synthesis of multifunctional Ag-Au-TiO2 heterostructure for photocatalytic and antimicrobial applications' (Journal of Cleaner Production, 2017), 'Development of ZnO Nanoflake Type Structures Using Silk Fibres as Template for Water Pollutants Remediation' (Polymers, 2020), and 'Instant synthesis of silver particles on silk fibres: Characterization and antimicrobial study' (Composites Communications, 2020). He contributed the book chapter 'Natural and bioderived molecular gelator–based oleogels and their applications' (Biopolymer-Based Formulations, 2020). With over 1183 Google Scholar citations, an h-index of 12, and Scopus h-index of 11, his work has significant impact. Awards include the DBT-BIRAC grant, Best Presentation at a national seminar (2015), and jury roles in international competitions. He supervises Ph.D. scholars, serves as Associate Editor for 4Open Journal, and reviews for SCI journals such as MRS Communications and Composites Communications. Collaborations include Technical University of Liberec (Czech Republic) and UNIDO (India).