Under the guidance of David Y. Curtin and Iain C. Paul, he earned his PhD in 1976 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

He served as president of the International Union of Crystallography from 2011 to 2014 and chaired the first Gordon Research Conferences in Crystal Engineering in 2010.

[6] Desiraju has authored several commentaries on science, the evolution of chemistry as a subject,[7] emergence and complexity, and research habits and practices in various cultures.

[8] He has also written articles about the state of science education and research in India[1][usurped] and the current status of chemistry research in the country,[9] identifying problems and suggesting solutions for issues partly rooted in traditional values while aspiring for contemporary advancements.

Despite being American-educated, Desiraju has advocated for inculcating a sense of "Indian-ness" in Indian students and young scientists will foster a modern competitive spirit and adherence to professionalism.