BR

Balaji Ramachandran

Also known as: Balaji R

McGill University, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, West Bengal University of Technology, Mepco Schlenk Engineering College

ORCID iD 0000-0002-6251-2402
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About

🔬 I am a multidisciplinary early-career researcher with 5+ years of experience in biomaterials, surface engineering, regenerative medicine, bioengineering, biomanufacturing cell therapeutics, and drug delivery, working across academic and industry-collaborative environments. My work bridges the gap between fundamental science and translational biomedical innovation.

🎓 During my Ph.D. at IIT Madras, I developed novel surface modification strategies to improve the haemocompatibility and endothelialization of blood-contacting implants. I gained in-depth expertise in polymer surface functionalization, biomimetic coatings, and surface–cell interactions for vascular applications.

💼 As a postdoctoral researcher at McGill University, I led and contributed to several industry-academic projects in partnership with Saint-Gobain Life Sciences, Kanyr Pharma, and labs at RI-MUHC and the Human Islet Transplant Laboratory. These efforts focused on biomanufacturing cell therapeutics, including scaling up and developing GMP-compliant closed culture systems for clinical translation.

🧪 My core technical strengths include:
— Surface engineering of polymers/metals for functionalization and bioconjugation
— Fabrication and characterization of polymeric/nanocomposite biomaterials
— Advanced material characterization (surface and bulk techniques)
— In vitro biological assays: bacterial studies, haemocompatibility, cytocompatibility, biochemical testing
— Biomanufacturing immune and stem-cell therapeutics:
  • Monocyte-to-dendritic cell differentiation
  • 7-stage differentiation of hPSCs to mature beta cells
— Closed-system bioprocessing scale-up and GMP-scale protocol implementation

🏆 Key achievements:
— 12 peer-reviewed journal publications, 1 book chapter, 3 conference proceedings and 9 industry-standard technical reports
— Co-inventor of a patented cell culture surface licensed by Saint-Gobain
— Keshav-Rangnath Excellence in Research Award (IIT Madras, 2019)
— Delivered oral/poster presentations at multiple national/international conferences
— Co-supervised 2 bachelor’s and 5 master’s theses
— Successfully completed 6 interdisciplinary research projects
— Demonstrated lab and project leadership with excellent team management

🤝 I thrive in interdisciplinary, collaborative environments and bring a unique blend of technical expertise, leadership, and strategic thinking. My goal is to drive impactful innovations at the interface of materials science, cell biology, and translational medicine—whether in academia, industry R&D, or biomedical product development.

Employment

  • McGill University Postdoctoral researcher
    2020 - 2024
  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras Research Associate
    2016 - 2019

Education

  • Indian Institute of Technology Madras PhD
    2012 - 2019
  • West Bengal University of Technology M.Tech.
    2009 - 2011
  • Mepco Schlenk Engineering College B.Tech.
    2005 - 2009

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (18)