MMC 39, D-136 Mayo
420 Delaware St. SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-625-3260 Tel
612-624-8176 Fax
raoxx017@umn.edu
Raghavendra Rao, M.D. is an assistant professor in the Division of Neonatology. He earned his M.D. at Mysore University in India. In addition to his postgraduate training in Mangalore and Chandigarh, India, he spent a year in Pediatric Residency at the University of Minnesota before completing his Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship at the University of Minnesota. When not attending on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Fairview-University Medical Center, Dr. Rao is involved in research on neurodevelopment during the perinatal period under normal and adverse conditions. He is also interested in research studies on the regulation of iron uptake in the developing brain. Dr. Rao has been published in Pediatric Research, Seminars in Neonatology and Journal of Nutrition (to name just a few) in addition to abstracts and contributions to book chapters. He is an invited lecturer, presenting his research in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Rao is also a core faculty member of the Center for Neurobehavioral Development and a member of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience. His research focus is regional brain development under typical and adverse perinatal conditions. He is specifically interested in understanding the effects of iron deficiency, chronic hypoxia, acute hypoxia-ischemia, and acute hypoglycemia in the developing hippocampus. He utilizes high-field NMR spectroscopy and immunohistochemistry in his research, which is funded by the NICHD and the University Pediatrics Foundation.
Center for Magnetic Resonance Research
Lab of Drs. Raghu Rao and Michael Georgieff
CURRICULUM VITAE FOR RAGHAVENDRA RAO, M.D.
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
MBBS; 1983; Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore; Mysore University, India
DCH; 1986; Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore; Mangalore University, India
MD;1987; Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore (Pediatrics); Mangalore University, India
Diplomate NB;1990; National Board of Examinations (Pediatrics); New Delhi, India
DM; 1994; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; (Neonatology); Chandigarh, India
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING (USA)
1994-96 & 1997-98; Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship; University of Minnesota
1996-97; Pediatric Residency, University of Minnesota
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING (INDIA)
1983-84; Internship; Lady Goschen and Wenlock District Hospitals; Bangalore, India
1984-87; Postgraduate Training (Residency in Pediatrics); Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India
1990-92; Senior Resident (Equivalent to Fellow) in Pediatrics; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Chandigarh, India
1992-94; Senior Resident (Equivalent to Fellow) in Neonatology Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Chandigarh, India
CERTIFICATES
American Board of Pediatrics (valid 1997-2004)
American Board of Pediatrics-Neonatal Perinatal Medicine (valid: 1999-2006)
ECFMG (valid indefinitely)
MEDICAL LICENSURES
State of Minnesota
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
1989-1994; Senior Resident (Registrar) in Pediatrics; Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research; Chandigarh, India
1998-2002; Instructor of Pediatrics (Division of Neonatology); University of Minnesota
2002-Present; Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; University of Minnesota
STAFF APPOINTMENTS
1999-Present
Faculty Advisor, International Medical Education and Research Program, University of Minnesota
1999-Present
Core Faculty Member, Center for Neurobehavioral Development; University of Minnesota
MEMBERSHIPS AND LEARNED BODIES
Life member, Indian Academy of Pediatrics
Life member, National Neonatology Forum, India
Fellow, American Academy of Pediatrics
Life member, Commonwealth Association for Mental Handicap and Developmental Disabilities (CAMHADD), United Kingdom
Member, International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
REVIEWER
Nutritional Neuroscience
International Journal of Behavioral Development
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
CONTRIBUTOR
Program for Renewal of Certification in Pediatrics Examination, American Board of Pediatrics (1999-)
AWARDS AND HONORS
Pfizer Prize for best graduating medical student of I MBBS, Kasturba Medical College, India (1980)
Dr. Koppikar Memorial Gold medal for highest marks in Anatomy, Kasturba Medical College, India (1980)
Dr. TMA Pai Gold medal for the Best graduating medical student of Kasturba Medical College, India(1983)
The Baily Venkoba Rao Gold medal for the best graduating medical student of Mysore University, India (1983)
Dr. (Mrs.) Lalana Narayana Gold medal for highest marks in Surgery in Mysore University, India (1983)
Prizes for standing first in Final MBBS, Second MBBS, Parts I & II, First MBBS, Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Community Medicine, Forensic Medicine, Pathology, Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry from Kasturba Medical College, India (1980-83)
Second Prize for best research paper presented in the X Annual Pediatric Fellows Conference, University of Minnesota (1996)
Jack Metcoff Award for the best abstract presented at the 37th annual meeting of the Midwest Society for Pediatric Research, Chicago (1996)
Irvine McQuarrie Research Scholar Award from the Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota (2000)
University of Minnesota Child Health Research Center Scholar (2001)
University Pediatric Foundation Scholar (2001)
MENTORSHIP
FELLOWS
Lakshmi Raman (2002-)
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Ifeyinwa (Fy Fy) Okocha (1999)
Christopher Steffen (2000)
Elise Townsend (2001-02)
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
John Jachman (2002-)
MEDICAL STUDENTS (IEMR PROGRAM)
Sarah Kessler (2000)
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
My research is on neurodevelopment during the perinatal period under normal and adverse conditions. Michael K. Georgieff, M.D. and Charles A. Nelson, Ph.D. are my research mentors. Specifically, I evaluate hippocampal metabolism and function under various perinatal conditions in vivo by high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging and in vitro by histochemistry. High-field NMR spectroscopy studies are done in collaboration with Rolf Gruetter, Ph.D. and Ivan Tkac, Ph.D. at the Center for Magnetic Resonance Research. In addition, I have been involved in research studies on the regulation of iron uptake in the developing brain.
GRANTS (PAST)
Georgieff MK, Rao R, Jordan C, Shapiro E. “The interactive effects of lead overload and iron deficiency in the weanling rat.” $10,000, Adversity Center, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota, June 1998-2000. Role: Co-PI.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. “Perinatal Iron Deficiency and Hippocampal Metabolism.” $9,930, Viking Children's Fund, 4/1/1999 to 3/31/2001. Role: PI.
Rao R. "Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Developing Brain". $50,000, Irvine McQuarrie Research Scholar Award, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, 2000-2002. Role: PI.
GRANTS (PRESENT)
Georgieff MK (PI) “Newborn Iron Deficiency.” $1,625,660, NIH/NICHD, 1999-2004. Role: Collaborator. 20% effort.
Lozoff B (PI) “Developmental Effects of Early Iron Deficiency in Rats.” NIH/NICHD, 2001-2005 Role: Collaborator. 5% effort.
Moller, JH (PI) University of Minnesota Child Health Research Center Grant: molecular models of oganogenesis, P30HD33692. Role: CHRC scholar for the project "In vivo Evaluationof the Developing Rat Brain by High-field Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy", 2001-03, 75% effort.
Rao R. UPF Scholar Award, University Pediatric Foundation, $50,000, 2002-2003. Role: PI
Rao R. " In vivo Evaluation of the Developing Hippocampus in Chronic Hypoxia". Center for Neurobehavioral Development, $5,570, 2002-03. Role: PI.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
DISSERTATION
“Factors influencing neonatal hyperbilirubinemia,” presented in partial fulfillment for the award of MD (Pediatrics) degree by Mangalore University, India (1986)
ARTICLES
Rao R, Singh M. Inencephalus clauses. Indian Pediatr 29(6): 779-781, 1992.
Rao R, Narang A. Theophylline infusion for prevention of apnea of prematurity (letter; comment). Indian Pediatr 30(6): 823-825, 1993.
Rao R, Sarkar S, Narang A. Intravenously administered immune globulin for Rh hemolytic disease (letter; comment). J Pediatr 122:833-834, 1993.
Rao R, Ray R, Sarkar S. Bilateral congenital eventration of the diaphragm. Indian Pediatr 30(12): 1462-1465, 1993.
Narang A, Rao R, Bhakoo ON. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: An epidemiological study. Indian Pediatr 30:1207-1214, 1993.
Narang A, Rao R, Bhakoo ON. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: A clinical study. Indian Pediatr 30:1417-1422, 1993.
Rao R, Sarker S, Narang A. Spinal cord injury in cephalic presentation. Indian Pediatr 31(8): 1009-1011, 1994.
Rao R, Sullivan D, Wu P, Wobken JD, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. Perinatal brain iron deficiency increases the vulnerability of rat hippocampus to hypoxic ischemic insult. J Nutr 121:199-206, 1999.
deUngria M, Rao R, Wobken JD, Luciana M, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. Perinatal iron deficiency decreases cytochrome c oxidase (cytox) activity in selective regions of neonatal rat brain. Pediatr Res 48:169-176, 2000.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. Perinatal iron metabolism. Recent Res. Devel. Nutrition (3); 97-114, 2000.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. Neonatal iron nutrition. Seminars in Neonatology 6:425-435, 2001.
Siddappa AJM, Rao R, Wobken JD, Leibold EA, Connor JR, Georgieff MK. Developmental changes in the expression of iron regulatory proteins and iron transport proteins in the perinatal rat brain. J Develop Neurosci Res 68: 761-775, 2002.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. Perinatal aspects of iron metabolism. Acta Paediatr Suppl. 438: 124-129, 2002.
Siddappa AJM, Rao R, Wobken JD, Casperson K, Leibold EA, Connor JR, Georgieff MK. Iron deficiency alters iron regulatory protein and iron transport protein expression in the perinatal rat brain. Pediatr Res (in press).
Tkac I, Rao R, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. Developmental and regional changes in the neurochemical profile of the rat brain determined by in vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy. Magn Reson Med (under review)
BOOK CHAPTERS
Narang A, Rao R. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis. In Sachdev HPS, Puri RK, Bagga A and Choudhury P (Eds.) Principles of Pediatric and Neonatal Emergencies. First Ed. New Delhi: Jay Pee Brothers Medical Publishers. 1994; pp. 460-467.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. Early nutrition and brain development. In Nelson CA (Ed) The Effects of Adversity on Neurobehavioral Development. Minnesota Symposium on Child Psychology, Volume 31. New Jersey: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates Inc. 2000; pp.1-30.
Georgieff MK, Rao R. The role of nutrition in brain development. In Nelson CA, Luciana M (Eds.) Handbook of Developmental Neuroscience, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 2001; pp. 491-504.
Rao R, Georgieff MK. Microminerals. In Tsang R, Uauy R, Koletzko B, Zlotkin S, (Eds.). Nutritional Requirements of the Premature Infant Digipub; Cincinnati, OH (in press)
BOOK REVIEWS
Rao R. Book review. Lagercrantz H, Hanson M, Evrard P, Rodeck CH. (Eds.) The Newborn Brain: Neuroscience and Clinical Applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2002. International Journal of Behavioral Development (in press)
ABSTRACTS
Pai KR, Rao R, Krishnamurthy PN, et al. Early breast feeding and neonatal jaundice. Indian Pediatr 24:757-758, 1987. Platform presentation at the XXIV National Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Madras, India (1987).
Rao R, Wessendorf M, Wobken J, Sullivan D, Wu M, Georgieff M. Effect of perinatal iron deficiency on hippocampal cytochrome oxidase activity in a hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy model. J Invest Med 44(7): 344A, 1996. Platform presentation at 37th Annual Meeting of the Midwest Society for Pediatric Research, September 19, 1996, Chicago, Illinois.
Rao R, Wobken J, Sullivan D, Wu P, Georgieff M. Perinatal brain iron deficiency increases the vulnerability of rat hippocampus to hypoxic ischemic injury. Pediatr Res 41(4) Part 2:239A, 1997. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 5, 1997, Washington, DC.
deUngria M, Rao R, Luciana M, Georgieff M. Perinatal iron deficiency decreases cytochrome oxidase (CytOx) activity in specific regions of neonatal rat brain. Pediatr Res 41:289A, 1997. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 8, 1997, Washington, DC.
Rao R, deUngria M, Wobken J, Wu P, Georgieff MK. Perinatal brain iron deficiency predisposes the rat hippocampus to long-term damage following hypoxic-ischemic insult. Pediatr Res 43 (4): 267A.1998.Platform presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 1, 1998, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Rao R, deUngria M, Luciana M, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. Effect of perinatal brain iron deficiency on cytochrome oxidase activity of cognitive and non-cognitive structures of the brain following a hypoxic-ischemic injury in neonatal rats. Pediatr Res 45:289A, 1999. Poster symposium at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/ Society for Pediatric Research, May 1, 1999, San Francisco, California.
Rao R, deUngria M, Tkac I, Pfeuffer J, Gruetter R, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. In vivo 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with a 9.4T magnet for evaluation of hippocampal metabolism in the developing rat brain. Pediatr Res 45:346A, 1999. Platform presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 2, 1999, San Francisco, California.
deUngria M, Rao R, Luciana M, Wobken JK, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. Regional loss of cytochrome oxidase activity occurs in neonatal rat brain following perinatal iron deficiency. Pediatr Res 45:280A, 1999. Platform presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 4, 1999, San Francisco, California.
Tkac I, Rao R, deUngria M, Pfeuffer J, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. In vivo 1H NMR spectroscopy of the developing rat hippocampus. Platform presentation at the annual meeting of the International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 1999, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
deUngria M, Rao R, Luciana M, Wobken JK, Nelson CA, Georgieff MK. Regional loss of cytochrome oxidase activity occurs in neonatal rat brain following perinatal iron deficiency. Poster presentationat Bioiron 99:World Congress on Iron Metabolism, May 23, 1999, Sorrento, Naples, Italy.
Tkac I, Rao R, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. In vivo quantification of metabolites in the hippocampus, striatum and cortex of the developing neonatal rat. Platform presentation at the Annual conference of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Glasgow, UK, April 2001.
Rao R, Tkac I, Siddappa AJ, Wewerka S, Gruetter R, Georgieff MK. Perinatal Brain Iron Deficiency Alters the Hippocampal Metabolic Profile in Developing Rats. Pediatr Res 49: 435A, 2001. Poster symposium at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, April 29, 2001, Baltimore, Maryland.
Siddappa AJ, Wobken JD, Rao R, Leibold EA, Georgieff MK. Perinatal Ontogeny of Iron Regulatory Protein (IRP) Expression in Developing Rat Brain. Pediatr Res 49:292A, 2001 Poster presentation at the annual Meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, April 29, 2001, Baltimore, Maryland.
Siddappa AJ, Wobken JD, Leibold EA, Rao R, Connor JR, Georgieff MK. Localization and Expression of Transferrin Receptor (TfR), Divalent Metal Transporter-1 (DMT-1) and Iron Regulatory Proteins (IRPs) in Iron Deficient Perinatal Rat Brain. Pediatr Res 49: 292A, 2001. Poster presentation at the annual Meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, April 29, 2001, Baltimore, Maryland.
Rao R, Tkac I, Siddappa AJ, Gruetter R, Georgieff MK. in vivo Evaluation of the Developmental Profile of the Metabolites in the Hippocampus (H), Striatum (S) and Cerebral Cortex (C) in Rats by Proton NMR Spectroscopy at 9.4 Tesla. Pediatr Res 49:444A, 2001. Poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, April 30, 2001, Baltimore, Maryland
Rao R, Tkac I, Guetter R, Georgieff MK, Nelson CA. Evaluation of Regional Brain Development by High-field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Rats. Poster presentation at the Child Health Research Centers Annual Retreat, November 10, 2001, Harriman, New York.
Rao R, Tkac I, Townsend E, Guetter R, Nelson CA Georgieff MK. Evaluation of acute and long-term effects of graded hypoxia ischemia (HI) on hippocampal metabolites in iron deficient (ID) vs. iron sufficient (IS) developing rats by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) at 9.4 T. Pediatr Res 51: 442A, 2002. Platform presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 6, 2002, Baltimore, Maryland.
Tkac I, Rao R, Townsend E, Georgieff MK, Gruetter R. Effect of Iron Deficiency and Mild Hypoxia Ischemia on the Hippocampal Neurochemical Profile in the Developing Rat Brain. Submitted for the Annual conference of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, May 2002, Honolulu, Hawaii.
Tkac I, Rao R, Gruetter R. In vivo 1H NMR Spectroscopy of the Developing Rat Brain at 9.4 Tesla. 16th European Experimental Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, June 9-14, 2002.
Raman L, Tkac I, Gruetter R, Georgieff MK, Rao R. Effect of chronic hypoxia on the neurochemical profile of developing hippocampus by 1H NMR spectroscopy at 9.4T. Accepted for platform presentation at the annual meeting of the American Pediatric Society/Society for Pediatric Research, May 5, 2003, Seattle, Washington.
OTHER RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS
Narang A, Rao R, Bhakoo ON. Neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis: An epidemiological study. Presented at the XI Annual Convention of National Neonatology Forum, Triruvananthapuram, India (1992).
Narang A, Rao R, Bhakoo ON. Role of perinatal risk factors for necrotizing enterocolitis. Presented at the XIII Annual Convention of National Neonatology Forum, Vadodara, India (1993).
Rao R, Sarkar S, Narang A. Role of erythrocyte transfusion in asymptomatic preterm infants. Presented in the award section at the XIII Annual Convention of National Neonatology Forum, Vadodara, India (1993).
Rao R, Wobken JD, Sullivan D, Wu P, Georgieff MK. “Perinatal brain iron deficiency increases the vulnerability of rat hippocampus to hypoxic ischemic insult.” Presented at the Fourteenth Annual Mead Johnson Nutrutionals Neonatal Nutrition Symposium, Marco Island, Florida
INVITED LECTURES
09/08/98; Rao R, deUngria M, Luciana M, Nelson CA, Georgieff M. “Iron and Neurodevelopment.” Presented at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
06/22/99; Delegate from the University of Minnesota and the Commonwealth Association for Mental Handicap and Developmental Disabilities, United Kingdom for a meeting at the World Health Organization, Geneva to present a research project “Maternal nutrition in relation to healthy brain development in childhood and later life.”
07/28/00; Rao R, Georgieff MK. Long-term outcomes for infants born with low birth weight. Presented at the 29th annual conference of the North American Council on Adoptable Children, Baltimore, Maryland.
03/05/01; Rao R. Evaluation of developing brain by high-field magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Pediatric Faculty Research Seminar, University of Minnesota.
03/14/01; Rao R. Spectroscopy in Developing Rat Brain. Pediatric Neurology Conference. Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota.
04/10/01; Rao R. Spectroscopic Evaluation of the Developing Brain. Colloquium given at the Center for Neurobehavioral Development, University of Minnesota.
03/26/02; Rao R. Newer Technologies in the Care of Newborn Infants. Presented to the Rotary Club of Moundsview and New Brighton, MN.
04/10/02; Rao R. Predicting the Future: A Peek at the Developing Brain. Presented during the Board meeting of University Pediatric Foundation, Minneapolis, MN.
08/09/02; Rao R. Perinatal Aspects of Iron Metabolism. Presented during the monthly meeting of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Mangalore Branch, Mangalore, India
08/19/02; Rao R. Perinatal Aspects of Iron Metabolism. Presented at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
FELLOW TEACHING ACTIVITIES
10/1998; Lecture on Neonatal Hyperbilirubinemia
03/1999; Lecture on Birth Asphyxia
02/16/00; Journal Club
04/26/00; Research Presentation
10/28/00; Research Presentation
09/11/02; Physiology Series: Thermoregulation (moderator for Dr. Black)