Nagaraju, J. obtained his Ph.D. from University of Mysore and held Research Associateship in Pierre Couble's Laboratory (Molecular Genetics), University of Lyon, France and Visiting Scientistship in Daniel Hartl's Laboratory, Harvard University, USA. He set up the Seribiotech Laboratory (Central Silk Board, Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India) in 1992 and he was its Deputy Director and Head till he moved to CDFD in 1998.

Dr.Nagaraju is an elected Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy, Indian Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Sciences. He has been the recipient of the National Award for Biotech Product & Process Development or Commercialization (2003), Best Scientist award of the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries (2003) and Tata Innovation Fellowship (2007).