Prof. Dr. Rajiv Rao has done his MBBS from DY Patil School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai and his post-graduation in Pathology from the Grant Medical College and JJ group of Hospitals, Mumbai.

Following his post-graduation in 2003, he has joined as a lecturer in the DY Patil School of Medicine, Navi Mumbai. He has been actively involved in the various academic activities of the School of Medicine as well as the setting up and development of the pathology laboratory of the DY Patil Hospital.

He has a keen interest in developing students as good citizens of tomorrow and took over as the Academic Undergraduate coordinator in 2014. Since then, he has been actively involved in developing curriculum, ensuring the right mix of academic and extra-curricular activities, student welfare programs and the academic calendar.

He took over as the Head of the Department of Pathology in 2018 and has been working on the development of the post-graduate curriculum and mentorship. He has had many students working under him for research and under his mentorship, the department has consistently been a centre of excellence in diagnostic pathology as well as academics. Prof. Rao is also a well-known figure in the circle of Pathology and has been an invited speaker in many state and national conferences. His areas of interest include medico-legal aspects of the law, ethical pathology practice, cytopathology and hematology. He has an in depth knowledge of machine systems, quality control and I.T. parameters with respect to pathology laboratories.

He is an active executive member of the Maharashtra Association of Pathologists & Microbiologists.

He is a multifaceted personality, with varied interests, an avid cyclist, a dedicated teacher and a lifelong student.