KGI is dedicated to education and research designed to translate the latest innovations in pharmaceuticals and the applied life sciences into practice for the betterment of society. The Office of Research, Innovation and Strategic Engagement (RISE) leads the Institute’s efforts to create research opportunities and partnerships that benefit KGI students and the companies involved.
Research Strengths
Bioprocessing

Saurav Datta, PhD
Biologics

Shiva Abdolrahimi
Cell-free protein synthesis

Gargi Ghosh, PhD
Stem cell-based therapeutics
Business

Maxim Polonsky
Marketing strategies and consumer insights to promote evidence-based approaches in public health policy
Cancer evolution

Animesh Ray, PhD
Impact of non-coding RNA’s on melanoma and medulloblastoma

Barbara Fortini, PhD
Impact of non-coding genomic variation on colorectal cancer
Clinical Research

Talia Puzantian, PharmD, BCPP
Minimizing the opioid crisis
Environment

Yien Chen
Reducing carbon emissions in the paper industry

Animesh Ray, PhD
AI-facilitated assessment of low-dose ionizing radiation effects
Immunology

Jeniffer Hernandez, PhD
Role of immune system of type 2 diabetes
Autoimmunity and multiple sclerosis
Neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases

Barbara Bailus, PhD
Huntington’s Disease
Angelman Syndrome
Pharmaceuticals

John Krstenansky, PhD, MBA, FRSC
Opioid agonists and antagonists
Virus-host interactions

Julio ("Cesar") Espinoza, PhD
Bioinformatics and data science (evolutionary dynamics of marine viruses)

Animesh Ray, PhD
Computational predication of antibody specificity
Viral evolution in the presence of neutralizing antibodies

Larry Grill, PhD
Low-cost vaccine development
Research Centers and Initiatives
Amgen Bioprocessing Center
One of the most important teaching and research laboratories at KGI, the Amgen Bioprocessing Center serves as the basis for our bioprocessing programs.
Learn MoreCenter for Training in Applied Genomics
Together with Amgen, KGI created the Center for Training in Applied Genomics in response to the workforce need for more scientists in the emerging field of clinical genomics.
Learn MoreEntrepreneurship
Innovation and collaboration with industry are embedded in KGI’s DNA. Our partnerships prove to be invaluable not only for our students, but for our industry partners as well.
Research and Industry Partnerships
Partner with Us
At KGI, we understand the value of partnerships, which is why we work closely with industry leaders to provide our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the real world. By partnering with us, you will have access to some of the brightest minds in these fields. Our students, faculty, and researchers are ready to work with you to solve real-world problems.
Learn MoreResearch Resources
KGI is committed to ensuring our faculty have what they need to be successful in their research endeavors. RISE has resources to guide the safe and ethical research process.
Learn MoreFaculty Research Advisors
View the KGI faculty who serve as thesis advisors and principal investigators in research projects and guide MS and PhD student research.
View Advisors