Ranjani Varadan
About Ranjani Varadan
Ranjani Varadan serves as the Chief Scientific Officer at Shiru, a position she has held since 2022. With a strong background in strategic ingredient development and commercialization, she has previously worked at Impossible Foods and various academic institutions.
Work at Shiru
Ranjani Varadan has served as the Chief Scientific Officer at Shiru since 2022. In this role, she oversees scientific initiatives and research efforts aimed at advancing the company's mission in the food technology sector. Shiru focuses on developing innovative ingredients that cater to the growing demand for sustainable food solutions. Varadan's leadership contributes to the strategic direction of the company, leveraging her extensive background in ingredient development and commercialization.
Previous Experience at Impossible Foods
Prior to her role at Shiru, Ranjani Varadan held multiple positions at Impossible Foods. She joined the company in 2011 as the first scientist and served as the Vice President of Research and Development for ten years. During her tenure, she led the protein discovery process and was instrumental in scaling key ingredient innovations to commercial levels. Varadan briefly worked as the Vice President of Strategic Ingredients in 2021, where she focused on strategic initiatives within the company.
Educational Background
Ranjani Varadan has a strong academic foundation in the sciences. She earned her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Maryland, where she studied from 2000 to 2004. Prior to that, she completed her Master of Science in Biological Sciences at the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, from 1994 to 1999. Varadan also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the same institution.
Postdoctoral Research Experience
Varadan has an extensive postdoctoral research background. She worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Maryland, College Park, from 2000 to 2005, and at Stanford University School of Medicine for one year from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, she served as a Postdoctoral Associate at the New York Structural Biology Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine from 2007 to 2010. This experience has contributed to her expertise in scientific research and development.
Achievements in Ingredient Development
Throughout her career, Ranjani Varadan has demonstrated a commitment to advancing the field of alternative proteins. At Impossible Foods, she played a key role in scaling innovations that contributed to the company's growth in this sector. Her extensive experience in strategic ingredient development and commercialization has positioned her as a leader in the industry, influencing the direction of food technology and sustainable ingredient sourcing.