Has done M.Sc., Ph.D.(Genetics) from Osmania University, Telanagana , Hyderabad and Post Doctoral Studies from INRA, France, University of Miami, USA. Currently working as Scientist (Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics)  at ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad.

Primary research interest is by using genetic & epigenetic approach in understanding the common complex diseases, and gene variation, epigenetic patterns and their possible relationship with diet. The ethnic health disparities result from environment x gene interactions, particularly those involving dietary factors (Nutrigenomics). Maternal nutritional imbalance and metabolic disturbances during critical time windows of development may have a persistent effect on the health of the offspring and may even be transmitted to the next generation. Imprinted genes, which control feto-placental nutrient supply and demand and their epigenetic liability in response to nutrients, may play an important role in adaptation/evolution. Thus the idea is to devise genome-based nutritional interventions to prevent, delay, and treat diseases such as Obesity, Type 2 diabetes, PCOS, Cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Invited participant for IDEAL work shop at Bangkok, Thailand, ICMR-“International Biomedical Young Scientist Fellow” underwent for training on Epigenetics at CINJ, USA and visiting scientist at The Rockefeller University, NY, USA as part of collaborative project (NIH-ICMR) genotyped WNIN/Obese mutant rat.

1. Rachakatla Anuradha, M Srinivas, M Satyavani, K Suresh, MN Muralidhar, Kalashikam Rajender Rao (2024) Preconceptional paternal caloric restriction of high-fat diet-induced obesity in Wistar rats dysregulates the metabolism of their offspring via AMPK/SIRT1 pathway. Lipids in Health and Disease 23 (1), 174
2. Velingkar A, Vuree S, Prabhakar PK, Kalashikam Rajender Rao, Banerjee A, Kondeti S. Fibroblast growth factor 21 as a potential master regulator in metabolic disorders. Am J Physiol-Endocrinol Metab. 2023 May 1;324(5):E409–24.
3. Chauhan PA, Kalashikam Rajender Rao, Banapuram S, Myadara S, Raghunath M. Effect of Fenugreek Seeds and Its Bioactive Compounds on High Fructose High Fat Diet Induced Abnormalities in Sprague Dawley Rats. Glob Acad J Med Sci. 2023 Jul 7;5(04):191–201.
4. Momo Kadia B, Ramsteijn AS, Dasi T, Fahmida U, Kulkarni B, Faye B, et al. Assessment of the role of gut health in childhood stunting in a multisite, longitudinal study in India, Indonesia and Senegal: a UKRI GCRF Action Against Stunting Hub protocol. BMJ Paediatr Open. 2024 Feb 27;8(Suppl 1):e001637.
5. Aayushi Velingkar, Sugunakar Vuree, Pranav Kumar Prabhakar, Rajender Rao Kalshikam, Suresh Kondeti (2023). Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 as a Potential Master Regulator in Metabolic Disorders. American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. 11 JAN 2023
   https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00244.2022
6. Anuradha Rachakatla, Kalashikam Rajender Rao (2022). Calorie Restriction-Regulated Molecular Pathways and Its Impact on Various Age Groups: An Overview. DNA and Cell Biology 41 (5), 459-468
7. Prasad Smvk, Srinivasulu Kommu, Dinesh Yadav, Suresh Kondeti, Rajender Rao Kalashikam, Saravanan Natarajan (2022) Effect of different dietary fats on inflammation and glucose intolerance in high fructose and high fat fed experimental animals. Hormone Mol Biol Clin Investig. 2022 Mar 31. doi: 10.1515/hmbci-2021-0061
8. Suresh Kondeti, D M Dinesh Yadav, Muralidhar MN, SMVK Prasad, Harishankar Nemani and Rajender Rao Kalashikam* (2021). Attenuation of FGF21 signalling might aggravate the impairment of glucose homeostasis during the high sucrose diet induced transition from prediabetes to diabetes in WNIN/GR-Ob rats. Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy. 137: 111252. doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111252 (IF 4.5)
9. SMVK Prasad, MN Muralidhar, DM Dinesh Yadav, Suresh Kondeti, Rajender Rao Kalashikam (2020) Strain specific variation underlines the disparity in stress response of rats to calorie dense diets in the pathophysiology of obesity. Steroids. 160, 108653 (IF 2.7)
10. Y Jeedigunta, S Sultana, RR Kalashikam, R Manchala (2020). Systemic Inflammation: A Risk Factor for Osteoporosis in Pre-and Post-menopausal Women. Journal of Women’s Health and Development 3, 423-431
11. Dinesh Yadav DM, Muralidhar MN, Prasad SMVK, Rajender Rao K (2018) Pre-pubertal diet restriction reduces ROS and restores fertility in male WNIN/Obese rat. Andrologia. doi: 10.1111/and.12849. (IF 1.588)
12. Anju Thomas, Padmavathi IJN, Sugeetha Jeyapal, Naga Muralidhar Merugu, Rajender Rao Kalashikam, Raghunath Manchala (2018). Maternal magnesium restriction elevates stress and inflammation in the placenta and fetus of WNIN rat dams. Biological Trace Element Research. 181(2):281-287. doi: 10.1007/s12011-017-1058-3. (IF 2.36)
13. Bhat OM, Kumar PU, Rao KR, Ahmad A, Dhawan V. (2018). Terminalia arjuna prevents Interleukin-18-induced atherosclerosis via modulation of NF-κB/PPAR-γ-mediated pathway in Apo E-/- mice. Inflammopharmacology. 26(2):583-598 May 25. doi: 10.1007/s10787-017- 0357-9. (If 3.3)
14. Muralidhar MN, Prasad SMVK, Battula KK, Giridharan NV, Rajender Rao K. (2017). Differential response of rat strains to obesogenic diets underlines the importance of genetic makeup of an individual towards obesity. Scientific Reports. 22;7(1):9162. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-09149-6.
15. Dinesh Yadav DM, Muralidhar MN, Prasad SMVK, Rajender Rao K  (2017) Pre-pubertal diet restriction reduces ROS and restores fertility in male WNIN/Obese rat. Andrologia. doi: 10.1111/and.12849.
16. Naga Muralidhar Merugu, Raghunath Manchala, Rajender Rao Kalashikam (2016). Nutri (Epi) Genomics and Metabolic Syndrome. Proc Indian Natn Sci Acad. 82 (5), 1425-1436.
17. KK Battula, G Nappanveettil, S Nakanishi, T Kuramoto, JM Friedman and Rajender Rao K (2015).  Phylogeny of WNIN and WNIN/Ob rat strains.  Biochemical Genetics: 53 (4-6), 132-14
18. K.R. Rao, Nirupamalal and NV Giridharan. (2014).  Genetics and epigenetics approach to human Obesity. Indian J Med Res 140, 589-603
19. Kalashikam RR, Padmavathi I.J.N, Anju E thomus, Sugeetha Jeyapal, NV Giridharan and Raghunath M. (2014).  Leptin gene promoter DNA methylation in WNIN obese mutant rats.  Lipids in Health and Disease 2014, 13:25.  doi:10.1186/1476-511X-13-25
20. Kalashikam RR, Battula KK, Kirlampalli V, Friedman JM, Nappanveettil G. (2013) Obese Locus in WNIN/Obese Rat Maps on Chromosome 5 Upstream of Leptin Receptor. PLoS One. Oct 21;8(10):e77679. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077679
21. Sharma N, Ethiraj KR, Yadav M, Nayarisseri A, Chaurasiya M, Vankudavath RN, Rao K.R. (2012 ) Identification of LOGP values and Electronegativities as structural insights to model inhibitory activity of HIV-1 Capsid Inhibitors - A SVM and MLR  aided QSAR studies. Curr Top Med Chem. 12 (16), 1763-74
22. K.R. Rao*, Padmavathi I J N, Venu L and Raghunath M. (2012). Does 11β-Hsd1 Associate with the Development of Visceral Adiposity in Maternal Mg Restricted Wistar/Nin Rat Offspring?. Endocrinology & Metabolic Syndrome. 
    http://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2161-1017.S7-002
23. K.R. Rao, Padmavathi I J N and Raghunath M. (2012). Maternal micronutrient restriction programs the body adiposity, adipocyte function and lipid metabolism in offspring: A rev iew. Reviews in Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases. 13(2) 103-108