Dr Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan | Medicinal Chemistry | Best Researcher Award

Dr Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan , National University of Singapore  , Singapore

Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan is a distinguished Senior Research Fellow at the National University of Singapore’s Department of Pharmacy. With a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from NUS, his expertise spans synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug metabolism. Dr. Venkatesan has made significant contributions to research with 30 peer-reviewed publications and 3 US patents, including groundbreaking work on adenosine receptor antagonists and alternative hair dyes. His innovative research has been featured in prominent media such as NUS Alumnus and Zaobao Magazine. Renowned for his proficiency in various analytical techniques and biological assays, he has consistently delivered high-impact results in both academic and industry settings.

Publication Profile

Google Scholar

Strengths for the Award

1. Extensive Research Experience:
   • Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan has a robust background in research with positions at prestigious institutions, including the National University of Singapore and MIT’s SMART. His roles span various research areas, demonstrating versatility and depth in his field.
2. Publication Record:
   • He has published 30 research papers in international peer-reviewed journals, covering a broad range of topics in chemistry and pharmacology. This indicates a high level of scholarly productivity and impact.
3. Patent Contributions:
   • Venkatesan has been involved in filing 3 US patents, showcasing his contributions to practical and innovative solutions in his field.
4. Expertise in Multiple Areas:
   • His expertise spans synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, drug metabolism, biological assays, and computational chemistry. This multidisciplinary skill set enhances his ability to tackle complex research problems.
5. Industry and Academic Experience:
   • His experience includes both academic research and industry roles, such as his time at Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, which enriches his understanding of both theoretical and applied aspects of research.
6. Awards and Recognition:
   • He has received recognition for his work, including the Best Poster Presentation Award at an international symposium, reflecting his ability to effectively communicate his research.
7. Invention and Media Coverage:
   • His drug patent invention has received media coverage, highlighting the real-world impact of his research.

Areas for Improvement

1. Broader Impact and Outreach:
   • While Venkatesan has made significant contributions, increasing his engagement in broader scientific communities through more public talks or collaborative interdisciplinary projects could further amplify his impact.
2. Leadership and Mentoring:
   • The resume focuses heavily on his research output and technical skills. Demonstrating leadership in guiding junior researchers or contributing to institutional development could strengthen his candidacy for awards that consider leadership qualities.
3. Diverse Research Focus:
   • While he has expertise in several areas, showing evidence of how his research has addressed a diverse range of scientific and societal problems could make his application stand out more.

Education 

Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the National University of Singapore (NUS), completed in April 2014 under the supervision of Prof. Giorgia Pastorin. His doctoral research focused on the design, synthesis, and molecular modeling of pyrazolo(3,4-d)pyrimidine analogues as adenosine receptor antagonists. Prior to this, he earned an M.Pharm in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry from the Birla Institute of Technology (BIT), Mesra, India, where he graduated with First Class honors in July 2008. His academic journey began with a B.Pharm from The Tamilnadu Dr M.G.R Medical University, Chennai, India, graduating with First Class in September 2004. These academic achievements laid a strong foundation for his extensive research career in medicinal chemistry and pharmacokinetics.

Experience

Dr. Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan has an extensive research career, currently serving as a Senior Research Fellow at NUS’s Department of Pharmacy since March 2023. He previously worked as a Senior Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) from April 2021 to December 2022, leading studies on RNA modifications. His earlier roles include research fellowships at NUS’s Department of Pharmacy from June 2014 to March 2021 and a research associate position from January to April 2014. Dr. Venkatesan’s industry experience includes his tenure as a Research Associate at Ranbaxy Laboratories Ltd, focusing on clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics. His work involves expertise in LC-MS/MS assays, organic synthesis, and biological assays, showcasing a robust blend of academic and practical experience in the field.

Awards and Honors 

Dr. Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to research. He received the NUS Research Scholarship for his Ph.D. studies from August 2009 to August 2013. In June 2012, he was awarded the Best Poster Presentation at the AAPS-NUS 7th PharmSci@Asia Symposium, Singapore, highlighting his excellence in presenting complex research findings. These accolades reflect his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and his ability to communicate his research effectively. His achievements underscore his dedication to innovation and excellence in the field of medicinal chemistry.

Research Focus 

Dr. Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan’s research focuses on synthetic organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and drug metabolism. His work emphasizes the design and development of novel therapeutic agents, particularly adenosine receptor antagonists, and alternative hair dyes. He has made significant contributions to understanding RNA modifications and their role in disease, using advanced techniques such as LC-MS/MS. Dr. Venkatesan’s research extends to drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, where he applies his expertise to improve drug efficacy and safety. His innovative approaches and comprehensive analyses are aimed at developing new therapies and enhancing existing ones, driving progress in the field of pharmaceutical sciences.

Publications Top Notes

“Plasma metabonomic profiling of diabetic retinopathy” 🩸📉

“The A3 adenosine receptor as multifaceted therapeutic target: pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, and in silico approaches” 🧬🔬

“Multiple modes of inhibition of human cytochrome P450 2J2 by dronedarone, amiodarone and their active metabolites” 💊🔬

“Application of static modeling in the prediction of in vivo drug–drug interactions between rivaroxaban and antiarrhythmic agents based on in vitro inhibition studies” 💡💉

“Inactivation of human cytochrome P450 3A4 and 3A5 by dronedarone and N-desbutyl dronedarone” 🧪⚗️

“Discovery of indolylpiperazinylpyrimidines with dual-target profiles at adenosine A2A and dopamine D2 receptors for Parkinson’s disease treatment” 🧩🧠

“Development of novel alternative hair dyes to hazardous para-phenylenediamine” 💇‍♀️🌿

“Organoruthenium Antagonists of Human A3 Adenosine Receptors” ⚙️🔬

“Site-directed deuteration of dronedarone preserves cytochrome P4502J2 activity and mitigates its cardiac adverse effects in canine arrhythmic hearts” ❤️🔬

“Discovery of simplified N2-substituted pyrazolo [3, 4-d] pyrimidine derivatives as novel adenosine receptor antagonists: Efficient synthetic approaches, biological evaluations” 🔍🧪

“Pharmacophore elucidation for a new series of 2-aryl-pyrazolo-triazolo-pyrimidines as potent human A3 adenosine receptor antagonists” 🔬🧬

“Pyrazolo Derivatives as Potent Adenosine Receptor Antagonists: An Overview on the Structure‐Activity Relationships” 🔬🧪

“Cell-derived nanovesicles from mesenchymal stem cells as extracellular vesicle-mimetics in wound healing” 🧫✨

“Lyophilization preserves the intrinsic cardioprotective activity of bioinspired cell-derived nanovesicles” 🧪💖

“Facile synthesis of oligo anilines as permanent hair dyes: how chemical modifications impart colour and avoid toxicity” 🎨🧪

“Bitter Gourd (Momordica charanta) peroxidase in decolorization of dyes from tannery effluent” 🍃💧

“Heteroleptic ruthenium (II) complexes with bathophenanthroline and bathophenanthroline disulfonate disodium salt as fluorescent dyes for in-gel protein staining” 💎🔬

“A facile and novel synthesis of N2-, C6-substituted pyrazolo [3, 4-d] pyrimidine-4 carboxylate derivatives as adenosine receptor antagonists” 🧪🔍

“Synthesis and assessment of non-allergenic aromatic amine hair dyes as efficient alternatives to paraphenylenediamine” 🧑‍🔬🌿

“An exploratory analysis of effects of poyendarone, a deuterated analogue of dronedarone, on the canine model of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation” 🐕❤️

Conclusion

Gopalakrishnan Venkatesan appears to be a strong candidate for the “Best Researcher Award” due to his extensive research experience, significant publication and patent record, and broad expertise. His work has already made a notable impact in his field, as evidenced by his publications, patents, and media coverage. To further bolster his candidacy, he could emphasize his contributions to leadership and mentorship roles, as well as expand on how his research addresses a wide array of scientific and societal issues. Overall, his achievements and contributions suggest that he is well-suited for recognition as a leading researcher in his field.