Rajendrani (Raj) Mukhopadhyay
About Rajendrani (Raj) Mukhopadhyay
Rajendrani (Raj) Mukhopadhyay serves as the Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect at the American Chemical Society. With a strong educational background in Biochemistry and extensive experience in science communication and leadership roles, she focuses on initiatives that promote inclusivity within the chemistry community.
Current Role at American Chemical Society
Rajendrani Mukhopadhyay serves as the Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect at the American Chemical Society. In this role, she leads initiatives aimed at fostering an inclusive environment within the chemistry enterprise. Her focus is on ensuring that all individuals can thrive and contribute positively to the field of chemistry. She has been in this position since 2023, working in the Washington DC-Baltimore Area in a hybrid capacity.
Previous Experience at American Chemical Society
Prior to her current role, Mukhopadhyay held several positions at the American Chemical Society. She served as Vice President of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect from 2021 to 2023. Additionally, she worked as Executive Editor for C&EN BrandLab within the C&EN Media Group from 2017 to 2021. Earlier in her career at the organization, she was a Senior Associate Editor for Analytical Chemistry's News and Features from 2004 to 2009.
Education and Expertise
Mukhopadhyay holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biochemistry from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she was a graduate student from 1998 to 2004. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) in Biochemistry from McGill University, studying there from 1995 to 1998. Her foundational education includes GCSEs and 'A' Levels in Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and French from New English School, Kuwait.
Career in Science Communication
In addition to her roles in diversity and inclusion, Mukhopadhyay has experience in science communication. She worked as a Freelance Science Writer, Blogger, and Editor from 2009 to 2011. She also served as Chief Science Correspondent and Managing Editor at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) between 2015 and 2017.
Professional Initiatives and Contributions
Mukhopadhyay co-founded the ACS #petparents Slack channel, which is recognized as a significant professional achievement. This initiative reflects her commitment to creating supportive communities within the scientific workforce, particularly for those balancing professional responsibilities with pet ownership.