Radhakrishna Tirumalai is recognized author, speaker, pharmacopeial expert, and microbiology expert with over 25 years experience in biopharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals.

Dr. Tirumalai is currently a Senior Principal Scientist at Merck Research Laboratories (MRL), Center for Excellence in Microbiology, providing above site support to all MRL sites on all Microbiology related issues (Sterile and Nonsterile). He also interfaces with Merck Manufacturing Division internally and external trade associations and regulatory agencies.

He was at the USP, 2003-2022, in various roles and most recently as a Senior Principal Scientist-General Chapters, in the Science Division. He was the Liaison to the USP Expert Committee on Microbiology. He worked on the development and revision of General Chapters. Dr. Tirumalai represented USP on PDA expert task forces and committees related to Microbiology and Sterility Assurance 2005-2022, the organizing committee of PDA Global Microbiology Conference 2006-2018, on AAMI expert working groups related to Microbiology, Sterilization, Sterility Assurance and Biocompatibility 2004-2022, and on the editorial board of FDA’s Pharmaceutical Microbiology Manual from 2012-2022.

He has authored numerous publications, review articles and several book chapters. He has organized numerous workshops and conferences and is a frequent speaker at conferences and has taught Pharmacopeial Microbiology courses at numerous locations globally.