BROOKINGS, S.D. — Srinivas Janaswamy, associate professor in South Dakota State University’s Department of Dairy and Food Science, has been named to the Stanford/Elsevier Top 2% Scientists List for 2025.
The honor, which Janaswamy has earned for the second straight year, places him among the world’s most influential researchers and highlights the sustained impact of his scientific contributions.
The Stanford/Elsevier list is known for being one of the most thorough ways to measure scientific influence. It uses detailed citation data — such as total citations, h-index and other standardized metrics — to identify the top 2% of scientists across all fields. The ranking, created by Stanford University researchers and the academic publishing company Elsevier, covers 22 scientific areas and 174 subfields, giving a broad picture of global research impact.
Reflecting on the honor, Janaswamy said being named to the list for a second consecutive year is both humbling and rewarding.
“It reflects the sustained impact of our work and the collective effort of the students and collaborators who make it possible,” he said.
Janaswamy also credited his achievement to support from SDSU and College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences leadership, calling it an instrumental part in expanding his interdisciplinary, externally funded research. He said their encouragement and the collaborative environment at SDSU have enabled advanced outcomes with global relevance.
Contributions that helped Janaswamy earn this honor include new insights into starch, polysaccharides and plant-based materials that can improve food quality, nutrition, packaging and environmental sustainability. He is recognized for his work in carbohydrate chemistry, biopolymers and structural biology, and his expertise in structural analysis and crystallography has helped lead to advances in biodegradable materials, food processing and functional foods.
Along with his strong publication record, Janaswamy is known for mentoring students and building collaborations that connect basic science with real-world applications.
Londa Nwadike, David A. Thompson Endowed Department Head of Dairy and Food Science, said Janaswamy’s recognition reflects the department’s strength and direction. She noted that the department includes many excellent and creative researchers working to support the future of the dairy and food industries in South Dakota, the region, the nation and the world, while also improving human health and protecting the environment.
Nwadike emphasized that achievements like this highlight the quality of the department’s faculty, staff and students. It also helps to show prospective students and partners that SDSU is conducting valuable and relevant research. She credited strong support from the college, university, industry partners and alumni to help faculty reach this level of recognition.
About South Dakota State University
Founded in 1881, South Dakota State University is the state’s Morrill Act land-grant institution as well as its largest, most comprehensive school of higher education. SDSU confers degrees from seven different colleges representing more than 230 majors, minors and specializations. The institution also offers 39 master’s degree programs, 17 Ph.D. and two professional programs.
The work of the university is carried out on a residential campus in Brookings, at sites in Sioux Falls, Pierre and Rapid City, and through Extension offices and Agricultural Experiment Station research sites across the state. SDSU’s research expenditures for the 2025 fiscal year were more than $94 million. SDSU has a Doctoral University: High Research Activity designation on The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
–SDSU