Penchala Narasimha Rao Meka

Penchala Narasimha Rao Meka is a Research Specialist II at Brandeis University since January 2021, focusing on the design and synthesis of hetero bi-functional molecules, including PROTACS and 26S proteasome recruiters for targeted protein degradation and lead optimizations. Prior to this role, Penchala served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Brandeis University and the University of Notre Dame, specializing in structure-based design and synthesis of selective inhibitors for cancer and neuropathy. Additional experience includes a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where the focus was on neurodegenerative disease inhibitors, and a Senior Research Associate position at GVK Biosciences, overseeing synthetic route design for heterocyclic compounds. Penchala’s early career included work as a Senior Chemist at Avra Laboratories Pvt Ltd, contributing to API synthesis. Penchala holds a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and an MSc in Organic Chemistry from Sri Venkateswara University.