Monika Raj

Monika Raj
Councilor
Associate Professor
Emory University

Professional Positions

2021- present, Emory University, GA, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
2020- present, Winship Cancer Institute, Emory University, Secondary Appointment
2020-2021, Emory University, GA, Acting Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
2017-2020, Auburn University, GA, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry
2014-2017, Seton Hall University, GA, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry

Education

2010-2014, New York University, Postdoctoral Fellow with Prof. Paramjit Arora
2009-2010, University of Pennsylvania, Postdoctoral Fellow with Prof. Barry Cooperman
2004-2009, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ph.D. 2009, Graduate Fellow with Prof. Vinod K. Singh
1999-2004, Panjab University, M.Sc. 2004, Research Assistant

APS Service

Co-chair of Student Activity Committee (SAC)

Awards & Honors

2021, Thieme Chemistry Journals Award
2020, Sloan Research Fellow, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
2019-2020, James E. Land Professorship
2019-2024, NIH Maximizing Investigators’ Research Award (R35 MIRA)
2019, Georgina Sweet Award (Australian Research Council)
2019, Early Career Lectureship, Japan Peptide Society (JPS)
2019, Early Career Lectureship, American Peptide Society (APS)
2019, Rising Star Award, Chemical Protein Synthesis (CPS) (German Science Foundation)
2018, NSF CAREER Award

Research Interest

Our laboratory focus on developing novel probes, biosensors, molecular imaging agents, and new chemoselective reactions for global profiling of undruggable proteome, selective detection of lysine posttranslational modifications (PTMs), and the synthesis of mechanically interlocked structures, cyclic peptides, and bioconjugates. This research program leads to the discovery of novel protein biomarkers, enzyme inhibitors, affordable diagnostic tools for early detection of cancer, and endogenous protein partners thus facilitating the synthesis of biotherapeutics.

Personal Statement

I have always learned and expanded my network by participating in APS conferences. In 2019, I served as a co-chair of the Student Activity Committee (SAC) thus got an opportunity to contribute and interact with students more closely. I really enjoyed my role and now I am looking forward to contributing more to APS as a councilor. I have been an active member of APS for several years now and am pleased to see huge growth in the diverse areas including imaging agents, sensors and the development of new small molecule probes for discovering undruggable proteome and understanding biological pathways for various diseases. My laboratory also has a diverse range of interests including developing new small molecule probes and sensors for selective identification of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) to clinicians and cancer biologists using these tools for early detection of cancer. In a role as a councilor, I will use my expertise and connections to expand the landscape of APS in these other areas. I would also like to further expand the diversity of participants in terms of underrepresented and disadvantaged communities in sciences, gender as well as from primarily undergraduate institutes, biotech companies and international participation. It is very challenging to expand the network of APS in this direction while also maintaining the outstanding scientific environment of existing APS but I would be happy to take this challenge.