School
School of Physician Assistant Studies
Department
School of Physician Assistant Studies
Office Location
Griffin 419
Boston
Office Phone Office Phone: 617.732.2961
About
Dr. Bathri Vajravelu is Associate Professor and Director of Didactic Education in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at MCPHS in Boston. He teaches pathophysiology, genetics, evidence-based medicine, and clinical medicine within the physician assistant curriculum.
Dr. Vajravelu leads a research laboratory investigating non-coding RNA biology and CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R2. A recipient of multiple teaching and research awards, he is committed to translational science and mentoring future health professions students.
Education
- Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, May 2015
- MPH, Master of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, May 2010
- MBBS (MD equivalent), Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, India, May 2006
Research Interests
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R2 (dysferlinopathy) — pathogenic mechanisms and DYSF gene biology
- Non-coding RNA biology: expression and function of miR-486-5p in myoblast differentiation and disease
- CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing for mutation correction in dysferlinopathy patient-derived myoblasts
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in skeletal muscle disease and transcriptomic profiling
- Translational PA education: flipped classrooms, and case-based learning
Programs
Featured Affiliations
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
WebsitePhysician Assistant Education Association
WebsiteIndian Medical Council
WebsiteEducation
- Ph.D., Biochemistry & Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, May 2015
- MPH, Master of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, May 2010
- MBBS (MD equivalent), Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University, India, May 2006
Research Interests
- Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R2 (dysferlinopathy) — pathogenic mechanisms and DYSF gene biology
- Non-coding RNA biology: expression and function of miR-486-5p in myoblast differentiation and disease
- CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing for mutation correction in dysferlinopathy patient-derived myoblasts
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in skeletal muscle disease and transcriptomic profiling
- Translational PA education: flipped classrooms, and case-based learning
Programs
Publications
Refereed Journal Papers
- McDonald MJ, Vajravelu BN. Investigation of Community Behaviors, Socioeconomic Factors, and Breakthrough COVID-19 Infections Among Vaccinated Individuals: Cross-Sectional Study. Online J Public Health Inform. 2026;18:e76679. doi:10.2196/76679
- Kim J, Vajravelu BN. Assessing the current limitations of large language models in advancing health care education. JMIR Form Res. 2025;9:e51319. doi:10.2196/51319
- Singhal R, Lukose R, Carr G, Moktar A, Gonzales-Urday AL, Rouchka EC, Vajravelu BN. Differential expression of long noncoding RNAs in murine myoblasts after short hairpin RNA-mediated dysferlin silencing in vitro microarray profiling. JMIR Bioinform Biotechnol. 2022;3(1):e33186.
- Vajravelu BN, Al-Maqtari T. c-Kit: the novel receptor — physiological roles, downstream signaling and implications in cancer. J Clin Med Res. 2021;2(3):1–36.
- Vajravelu BN, Kelley A, Moktar A, Orrahood S. Flipped classrooms in physician assistant education. J Physician Assist Educ. 2020;31(4):207–211. doi:10.1097/JPA.0000000000000325
- Al-Maqtari T, Hong KU, Vajravelu BN, Moktar A, Cao P, Moore IV J, Bolli R. Transcription factor-induced activation of cardiac gene expression in human c-kit+ cardiac progenitor cells. PLoS One. 2017;12(3):e0174242.
- Vajravelu BN, Hong KU, Al-Maqtari T, Cao P, Keith MC, Wysoczynski M, Zhao J, Moore J, Bolli R. c-Kit promotes growth and migration of human cardiac progenitor cells via the PI3K-AKT and MEK-ERK pathways. PLoS One. 2015;10(10):e0140798.
- Keith MC, Tokita Y, Tang XL, et al., Vajravelu BN, Wysoczynski M, Bolli R. Effect of the stop-flow technique on cardiac retention of c-kit positive human cardiac stem cells after intracoronary infusion. Basic Res Cardiol. 2015;110(5):503.
- Keith MC, Tang XL, Tokita Y, et al., Vajravelu B, Wysoczynski M, Bolli R. Safety of intracoronary infusion of 20 million C-kit positive human cardiac stem cells in pigs. PLoS One. 2015;10(4):e0124227.
- Hong KU, Guo Y, Li QH, et al., Vajravelu BN, Du J, Book MJ, Zhu X, Nong Y, Bhatnagar A, Bolli R. c-Kit+ cardiac stem cells alleviate post-myocardial infarction left ventricular dysfunction despite poor engraftment. PLoS One. 2014;9(5):e96725.
Non-Peer Reviewed Publications
- Narh CA, Manickum C, Vajravelu B, Zella D, Mosi L. Editorial: source-tracking, molecular epidemiology and antigenic diversity of SARS-CoV-2 infections causing COVID-19. Front Genet. 2022;13:1031750. doi:10.3389/fgene.2022.1031750
Invited Presentations
- Vajravelu BN. Small RNA, Big Impact: Unravelling the Role of miR-486 in Dysferlinopathy. Invited oral presentation, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS); March 27, 2026; Albany, NY.
Selected Conference Abstracts & Posters
- Kim J, Lee J, Vajravelu BN. Establishment of a Single-Cell-Derived CRISPR/Cas9 DYSF Knockout Myoblast Line. ASHG Annual Meeting; 2025; Boston, MA.
- Kim JY, Dave K, Do Y, Vajravelu BN. miR-486-5p rewires AKT-ERK signaling to control myoblast fate in dysferlinopathy. 15th International Symposium on Proteomics in the Life Sciences; August 2025; Broad Institute, Cambridge, MA.
- Kim JY, Vajravelu B. MicroRNA 486 is myogenic and remodels dystrophic transcriptome in LGMD type 2B. AHA Scientific Sessions 2024, Volume 150:A4142024.
- Lukose R, Carr G, Vajravelu BN. Microarray Reveals Differentially Expressed Long Non-coding RNAs In Dysferlinopathy. AHA Scientific Sessions 2021, Volume 144:A13301.
- Vajravelu BN, Moktar A, Orrahood S. A Learner-Centered Approach in PA Education. PAEA Education Forum; 2016.
Awards and Honors
Teaching & Recognition Awards
- Trustees' Award for Excellence in Teaching, MCPHS University, 2025–2026
- Gail P. & Edward A. Bucher Trustees' Award for Excellence in Student-Faculty Research Collaboration, 2024–2025
- MCPHS University Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award, 2016, 2017, 2024 & 2025
- SURF Research Faculty Mentor Award, 2019 & 2024
- Inducted, Pi Alpha and Alpha Eta Honor Societies, 2019
- Inducted, Phi Kappa Alpha (Faculty, Scholarly Achievement), 2018
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences Fellowship, University of Louisville, 2010–2012
- Outstanding Graduate Student Award in Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 2010
Research Grants (as Principal Investigator)
- Faculty Development Grant ($9,990) — Identification, Functional Characterization, and Pathway Analysis of Dysregulated Non-coding RNAs in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, 2025–2026.
- New Direction Grant ($9,985) — CRISPR-Cas9-Based Mutation Correction and Functional Restoration in Dysferlinopathy Patient-Derived Myoblasts. MCPHS University, 2025–2026.
- Center for Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant ($3,000) — PDGFRB-Mediated ERK Suppression by miR-486-5p Impairs Regenerative Signaling in LGMD Type 2B. MCPHS University, 2025–2026.
- Center for Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant ($3,000) — Transcriptomic Profiling of CRISPR-Engineered Dysferlin-Knockout Myoblasts. MCPHS University, 2025–2026.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — Unravelling the role of miR-486 in myogenic differentiation. MCPHS University, Summer 2025.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — Dysferlin Disrupted: CRISPRing Murine Myoblasts for Gene Knockout. MCPHS University, Summer 2024.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — Expression and function of muscle-specific miR-486 in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, Summer 2023.
- Center for Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant ($3,000) — Unraveling the Expression and Function of miR-486 in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, 2023–2024.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — Novel muscle-specific lncRNAs and signaling pathways in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, Summer 2022.
- Center for Undergraduate Research Mini-Grant ($2,500) — Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, 2020–2021 & 2022–2023.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — Characterization of Long Non-Coding RNAs in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, Summer 2019.
- Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship ($2,000) — The Role of LncRNAs in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, Summer 2018.
- Faculty Development Grant ($3,995) — The Role of LncRNAs in Dysferlinopathy. MCPHS University, 2017–2018.
Additional Affiliations
Awards and Honors
- SURF Faculty Mentor Award, 2019
- MCPHS University Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award, 2017
- MCPHS University Faculty Scholarship Showcase Award, 2016
- Integrated Program in Biomedical Sciences Fellowship, 2010 - 2012
- Outstanding graduate student award in Public Health, Western Kentucky University, KY, 2010
More Affiliations
- Tamil Nadu State Medical Council: 2006 – Present