Neerajha Nagarajan
McKinney,TX
Summary
Proven bioengineer with 8+ years of experience driving strategic innovation and operational excellence in life sciences R&D. Expert at leading cross-functional teams and managing complex projects across the R&D value chain—from discovery and preclinical development to clinical translational readiness and post-market surveillance. Skilled in optimising organizational structures and embedding regulatory compliance frameworks to enhance research impact. Adept at leveraging data analytics and evidence-based insights to inform strategic decision-making and business transformation. Exceptional communicator with a track record of collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders, including senior executives and external partners. Committed to fostering high-performing teams and delivering client value in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Career Sabbatical – Family Relocation & Upskilling
Self-employed
08.2023 - Current
- Focused on professional growth through advanced training, including the Google Project Management Certificate (in progress), enhancing expertise in risk management, resource allocation, and project lifecycle strategy.
- Kept abreast of evolving life sciences R&D trends, regulatory frameworks, and operational best practices.
- Adapted to a new cultural and linguistic environment by learning Spanish, enhancing personal resilience, and communication skills in multicultural settings.
Scientist – Bioprocess Development
Meatable
10.2021 - 08.2023
- Led multiple R&D program workstreams in cultivated meat, driving strategic milestones for porcine cell culture and media optimization aligned with product and manufacturing goals.
- Managed cross-functional teams spanning scientific research, quality, and operations, ensuring cohesive communication and successful technology transfer.
- Authored critical SOPs and technical documentation to support compliance and reproducibility for downstream manufacturing and regulatory needs.
- Integrated novel analytics to ensure regulatory compliance and product purity, demonstrating aptitude in research compliance and quality functions.
- Mentored junior scientists, fostering talent development and knowledge sharing.
- Collaborated with quality, regulatory, and external stakeholders, aligning with compliance and research governance.
Scientist – Media Development, Bioprocess
Eat Just, Inc.
05.2019 - 07.2021
- Spearheaded development of growth factor and serum-free culture media, achieving an 85% reduction in production costs, directly impacting commercial scalability.
- Led scale-up efforts from bench to pilot, coordinating experimental design, assay validation, and technology transfer readiness.
- Collaborated across R&D, Quality, and Operations to ensure process standardization and documentation compliance, creating SOPs and batch records for in-house and contract manufacturing use.
- Gained comfort translating science into business and executive narratives.
Strategic Marketing Consultant
Biotech Connection Bay Area
04.2018 - 07.2018
- Translated complex life sciences technologies into investor-ready market strategies, supporting disruptive biotech startups focused on clinical trial innovation..
- Conducted strategic market analyses and competitive positioning to inform long-term business development plans for medical device companies.
Education
Ph.D. - Bioengineering
University of Notre Dame
IN01.2017
M.S. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Connecticut
CT01.2012
B.Tech. - Biotechnology
Anna University
Chennai, India01.2010
Skills
- Strategic planning & R&D business transformation
- R&D operating model & process optimization
- Cross‑functional stakeholder management (R&D, Quality, Operations, external partners)
- Research compliance, quality, and documentation (SOPs, tech transfer packages)
- Complex data analytics & evidence‑based decision‑making
- Executive communication & C‑suite ready presentations
- Cross-functional team leadership, coaching, and mentorship
Certification
- Google Project Management Certificate — Coursera (In Progress)
- Advanced Statistics with R Programming — University of Copenhagen
- Ongoing training: AI in Science Education; Digital Learning & EdTech platforms
Language Skills
English (Fluent)
Tamil (Native)
Hindi (Fluent)
Spanish (Basic)
Timeline
Career Sabbatical – Family Relocation & Upskilling
Self-employed
08.2023 - Current
Scientist – Bioprocess Development
Meatable
10.2021 - 08.2023
Scientist – Media Development, Bioprocess
Eat Just, Inc.
05.2019 - 07.2021
Strategic Marketing Consultant
Biotech Connection Bay Area
04.2018 - 07.2018
M.S. - Biomedical Engineering
University of Connecticut
B.Tech. - Biotechnology
Anna University
Ph.D. - Bioengineering
University of Notre Dame
Selected Publications
- Nagarajan, N. et al. (2018). “Enabling Personalized Implant and Controllable Biosystem Development through 3D Bioprinting.” Biotechnology Advances.
- Nagarajan, N. et al. (2016). “Development and Characterization of Muscle-Based Actuators for Self-Stabilizing Biorobots.” Lab on a Chip.
- Nagarajan, N. et al. (2017). “Cardiac Muscle-Cell Based Actuator and Self-Stabilizing Biorobot.” JoVE.
- Nagarajan, N. et al. (2017). “Muscle Cell-Based Living Diodes.” Advanced Biosystems.