Associate Professor & Head of Unit, Immunology
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor
Stem cell immunologist bridging mesenchymal biology, regenerative medicine, and translational immunotherapy
Rajesh Ramasamy is an Associate Professor and Principal Investigator of the Stem Cell & Immunomodulation Research Group at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). He trained at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (BSc Biomedical Science / Immunology, 1997–2000) before completing his PhD and DIC in stem cell transplantation and immunology at Imperial College London (2002–2006) under internationally recognised mentors. He subsequently joined UPM in 2006, where he has since built one of Malaysia's leading programmes in mesenchymal stem cell biology and applied immunomodulation research.
His research addresses two broad axes: the immunoregulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) — including their effects on T cells, monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and microglia — and the regenerative potential of phytochemical compounds such as Moringa oleifera and Cassia auriculata in immunosuppressed and metabolic disease models. He holds a Diploma in Siddha Medicine Science (AIAMA, Tamil Nadu, 2011–2012), reflecting a long-standing engagement with traditional South Asian healing systems, and has delivered invited talks at the Central Council for Research in Siddha (Chennai, 2019) and at the International Conference on Tamil Siddhar Tradition (Universiti Malaya, 2026).
Beyond the laboratory, Rajesh is actively engaged with national science governance, editorial leadership, and community development. He serves on the National Ethics Committee for Cell-based Research & Therapy (Ministry of Health, 2018–present), past Vice Presidency of the Malaysian Society for Stem Cell Research and Therapy, and is Associate Editor-in-Chief of the Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences. His community contributions span TheMIND (The Malaysian Indian Educational Development Association), the Malaysian Astrological Society, Tamil cultural institutions, and Vedic/Siddha scholarly forums.
Scopus Author ID: 26024442700 | ORCID: 0000-0003-4227-0458 | Researcher ID: I-7650-2013
Total indexed journal output: 106 articles as corresponding or co-author. A representative selection is listed; full list available via Google Scholar and Scopus.
Anugerah Perkhidmatan Cemerlang (Excellent Service Award), Universiti Putra Malaysia — 2008, 2013, 2018
| Level | UPM Courses | External Courses | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 9 | 4 | 13 |
| Postgraduate | 6 | 2 | 8 |
| Total | 15 | 6 | 21 |
| Programme | Principal Supervisor (UPM) | Co-Supervisor (UPM) | Thesis Examiner |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc | 9 graduated | 17 (3 ongoing) | 16 internal + 8 external |
| PhD | 9 graduated (1 ongoing) | 20 (various) | 24 internal + 16 external |
| Chairperson role | 18 MSc & 15 PhD thesis committees chaired | ||
| Journal | Role | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Regenerative Research | Editor-in-Chief | 2019–2024 |
| Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences | Associate Editor-in-Chief | 2015–present |
| Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio) | Editor | 2024–present |
| Tissue Engineering — Part C | Guest Lead Editor | 2020–2022 |
| World Journal of Stem Cells | Editor | 2014–2019 |
| Annals of Bone Marrow Research | Editor | 2014–present |
| World Journal of Biological Chemistry | Editor | 2014–2017 |
| Stem Cell International | Guest Editor | 2016 |
| Regenerative Research | Editor | 2014–2018 |
| International Journal of Food and Nutritional Sciences | Editor | Since 2019 |
Prof. Ramasamy has delivered 12 plenary/keynote addresses and 61 invited lectures at international and national conferences, spanning stem cell biology, regenerative medicine, immunology, phytochemicals, and scientific writing. Venues include India (Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Pune, Odisha), Indonesia, Iran, Thailand, the Philippines, Pakistan, and Malaysia.
Beyond the university, Rajesh maintains active commitments to Indian Malaysian community development, Tamil cultural promotion, and cross-disciplinary knowledge dissemination. He serves on multiple national community societies and has held elected office within two of them.
TheMIND is a national-level organisation dedicated to the educational advancement of the Malaysian Indian community. Rajesh has been an active member since 2007 and occupied two executive leadership roles over a seven-year period. As Secretary (2008–2012), he managed organisational administration and coordinated educational outreach activities. As Vice President (2012–2014), he contributed to strategic decision-making and programme planning at the national level. His sustained involvement reflects a long-term commitment to improving educational access and outcomes for underserved Indian Malaysian communities. He continues to serve as a committee member.
The Malaysian Astrological Society promotes the study and practice of Vedic and classical astrology in Malaysia. Rajesh joined MAS as a committee member in 2018, contributing his knowledge of Vedic traditions alongside his scientific background. His dual expertise in biomedical research and classical South Asian knowledge systems allows him to bridge contemporary science with Vedic and Siddha epistemology. He has authored scholarly and popular writings on astrological topics under the MAS affiliation, including an article on Tithi Soonyam for an astrological magazine — a contribution that situates traditional Tamil calendar science within a contemporary scholarly framework.
Rajesh holds a Diploma in Siddha Medicine Science from the All India Alternative Medicine Association, Tamil Nadu (2011–2012), reflecting formal training in classical Tamil healing traditions. He participated in the International Conference on Tamil Siddhar Tradition (2026, Universiti Malaya), where his presentation — "Stem Cells Therapy Through the Lens of Siddha Medicine" — won the Best Oral Presenter Award. This talk mapped conceptual bridges between modern mesenchymal stem cell biology and Siddha medicine's understanding of bodily regeneration, contributing to a growing field of scholarly inquiry into integrative medicine within the Tamil intellectual tradition.
He has also participated in Tamil short-story writing competitions and engages with classical Tamil literature and Sangam-era texts. His invited talk at the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Chennai (March 2019), on the immunomodulatory and anti-diabetic activity of Cassia auriculata — a plant with deep roots in Tamil Siddha pharmacopoeia — exemplifies his effort to bring evidence-based science into dialogue with traditional Tamil medicine. Membership in the Old Boys Association of Victoria Estate Tamil Primary School further reflects lifelong engagement with Tamil educational institutions.
Through these activities, Rajesh contributes to the revitalisation and scholarly documentation of Tamil scientific and literary heritage, situating classical Siddha knowledge within contemporary biomedical discourse.
Rajesh contributed as a Board Member of the ASM Taskforce Committee on "Ageing and Regenerative Medicine" (2010–2011), co-authoring the ASM Advisory Report Stem Cells: Ageing and Regenerative Medicine (Report 3/2013), which provided national-level policy guidance on regenerative medicine research directions. He was also a member of the Young Scientist Network — Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM), under MESTECC, from 2013 to 2019, contributing scientific expertise to national science and technology advisory processes. He serves on the National Ethics Committee for Cell-based Research & Therapy (NSCERT) at the Ministry of Health, Malaysia (2018–present), providing ethical oversight for cell therapy trials and research. Together, these roles reflect substantial engagement with Malaysia's science governance ecosystem.