“Our research interests are: (i) Drug/Oxygen delivery technology development to treat ischemic diseases, (ii) Cancer Toxicology, and (iii) Host-microbe interactions to understand cancer development.  While doing so, we cherish the moments that are joyous and try to learn from those that are painful”

Dr. Irudayaraj is a Founder Professor in Bioengineering and a Fellow of AAAS, BMES, AIMBE, and RCS. He is an affiliate of the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, a member of the Beckman Institute, and the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology. He is also the Associate Director of Shared Resources for the Cancer Center at Illinois.

The basis of their work stems from a strong background and skills developed in the areas of engineering, biology, medicine, and computer science. His group has multiple patents in the development of oxygen nanocarriers to treat ischemia and hypoxia. Examples include ischemic conditions of the eye, wound healing (surgical, radiation burn, etc), and fibrosis (liver and kidney). Most of all, their group has a particular interest in translating their bench research to practice, benefiting patients.

Prof. Irudayaraj is also leading a team to study the “Effect of environmental contaminants and Cancer Toxicology”. This collaborative effort comprises biomedical and environmental projects supported by analytical, computing, data management, training, and community engagement components to wholistically assess trigger points for cancer initiation/progression due to exposure to environmental contaminants, particularly PFAS, and mixtures (with metals and nanoplastics).

Core technologies in their laboratory include super-resolution microscopy, single-molecule fluorescence tools, Darkfield Microscopy (one of their early inventions is now a commercial unit), ultrasensitive lateral flow sensors, Oxygen and drug nanocarriers, and microbe-encapsulating beads.

His team has published over 400 refereed publications and numerous book chapters – thanks to the dedicated efforts of his students, postdoctoral scholars, and collaborators. He is an active participant in review panels at the NIH, NSF, DOE, DOD, and several international funding agencies in Europe, Asia, and Australia.

He has graduated over 45 graduate students, mentored over 50 postdoctoral and visiting scholars, and collaborated with over 15 countries.

Students, visiting scholars, and faculty with research and collaborative interests are encouraged to contact Dr. Irudayaraj at jirudaya@illinois.edu