Biomedical Engineering Professor Named to NIH Advisory Council

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Narasimhan Rajaram, associate professor of biomedical engineering.

The National Institutes of Health's Center for Scientific Review has appointed Narasimhan Rajaram, associate professor of biomedical engineering, to serve on the CSR Advisory Council (CSRAC). The CSRAC provides advice to the director of CSR on matters related to planning, execution, conduct, support, review, evaluation and receipt and referral of grant applications at CSR and meets twice a year. Rajaram's appointment began on Sept. 1 and runs through Dec. 31, 2024.

Rajaram said he is appreciative of the opportunity to serve on the CSR Advisory council.

"The NIH is an important source of research funding for universities and small businesses throughout the United States," Rajaram said. "CSR is responsible for ensuring that grant applications submitted to NIH receive fair and independent reviews that are free from biases. However, there has been recognition over the last few years that racial disparities in grant funding exist, and it is important to identify and reduce these disparities. As someone who has closely followed the research studies reporting these disparities, I am excited to be in a position where we can create meaningful change."

As part of the advisory council, Rajaram will also have the opportunity to serve on small working groups that tackle important issues critical to grant review. 

"Prior to my appointment as a full member, I participated in two meetings as an ad hoc member and was part of a working group that provided advice and feedback to CSR on bias awareness training modules that all reviewers will now be required to complete prior to peer review beginning the next review cycle," Rajaram said.

Raj R. Rao, professor and head of biomedical engineering, said that this national appointment is significant for both Rajaram and the university. "I am pleased about Dr. Rajaram's appointment to the council," he said. "This national appointment will bring great visibility to our university and College of Engineering. Given our department's efforts to acknowledge and address diversity, equity and inclusion in our day-to-day activities, we are happy that Dr. Rajaram will be in a position to advocate for positive changes in grant review at the NIH."

More news from the Department of Biomedical Engineering can be found at the departmental news site.