Yuan Zhao, PhD
Dr. Yuan Zhao earned her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Louisville School of Medicine, Kentucky, followed by postdoctoral training in the Division of Immune Regulation at the La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology in San Diego, California. During this time, she gained extensive experience in developing and utilizing animal models to study autoimmunity and costimulation.
Since 2016, Dr. Zhao's research interests have shifted towards the scholarship of teaching and learning, with a focus on innovative pedagogical strategies, curriculum design, and evaluation in medical education. Her dedication to advancing medical education is reflected in her strong record of peer-reviewed publications and successful acquisition of both internal and extramural research grants.
Dr. Zhao is actively engaged in national organizations, serving as a member of the Educational Scholarship Committee of the International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE) and as the mentor and coordinator for the IAMSE Medical Educator Fellowship program. She also contributes to the Medical Immunology Curriculum Task Force of the American Association of Immunologists (AAI), where she plays a key role in shaping national guidelines for immunology curricula in medical schools.
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Teaching effectiveness |
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Curriculum design and evaluation |
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Educational research |
Research Highlights |
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Published in: BMC Medical Education, Medical Education Online, Medical Science Educators, Journal of Medical Education and Curricular Development, ImmunoHorizon Reviewer for: Medical Science Educators, Currents in Pharmacy Teaching and Learner and Medical Science Educator, American Journal of Pharmaceutical Education Selected Funded Awards: SHSU-CHSS Collaborative Research Cluster Grant, SHSU Healthcare Workforce Professionalization, Co-Principal Investigator, 2023 IAMSE-ScholarRx Curriculum Development Grant, Biomedical Sciences and Ethics and Humanities, Building Connection for Deeper Learning in Undergraduate Medical Curriculum, Principal Investigator, 2022-2024 IAMSE-ScholarRx Educational Research Grant Program for Students, Developing a Student-Led Research Interest Group of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Faculty Advisor, 2022-2024 SHSU Interdisciplinary Collaboration Program, Developing Virtual Interactive Patient System (VIPS) in a Virtual Reality Environment for Instructors and Students in Medical and Health Care Education, Principal Investigator, 2022-2024 Sam Houston State University, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Developing and evaluating an integrate HEENT and immune system course in osteopathic medical school curriculum, Principle Investigator, 2020-2023 Kentucky Science and Engineering Foundation's R&D Excellence Program, Identify the mechanisms of HMGB1 in the contribution of ocular inflammation in autoimmune uveitis, Principle Investigator, 2014-2015 Honors: Texas Academic Leadership Academy Fellow, 2023 Teacher of the Year, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, 2016 and 2019 Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards F32, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, 2010-2011 |
Notable Papers
Hatem Elshabrawy, PhD
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7771-113X
Dr. Elshabrawy’s PhD research resulted in the characterization and development of monoclonal antibodies and small molecules as broad-spectrum therapeutics for a wide range of viral infections including SARS-CoV and Ebola virus. During his postdoctoral studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago (2015-2017), Dr. Elshabrawy studied the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and he developed a monoclonal antibody and small molecules against specific targets in RA. His current research projects are investigating the role of novel receptors and cytokines in the polarization of RA macrophages into proinflammatory M1 macrophages, and the development of small molecules or monoclonal antibodies that can be used as drugs to ameliorate RA. In addition, Dr. Elshabrawy is developing antiviral small molecules against viruses such as Coronaviruses e.g. SARS-CoV-2, and Filoviruses e.g. Ebola virus.
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Rheumatoid arthritis |
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SARS-CoV-2 |
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M1 macrophages |
| Antivirals |
| Monoclonal antibodies |
Research Highlights |
Impact Metrics |
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Published in: Journal of Virology Editor for: Scientific Reports and Vaccines Reviewer for: Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Journal of Infectious Diseases, and Journal of Leukocyte Biology Funded Awards: Sam Houston State University, Investigating the role of receptor-type protein tyrosine phosphatase Z1 in rheumatoid arthritis, Principal Investigator, 2020-Present Honors: Service Excellence Award, American Society of Microbiology, 2020 Most Valuable Professor Award for Excellence in Teaching , California Northstate University, College of Pharmacy, 2019 |
Citations: 1120 H-index: 14 Citations: 658 H-index: 11
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Elshabrawy HA, Fan J, Haddad CS, Ratia K, Broder CC, Caffrey M, Prabhakar BS. Identification of a broad-spectrum antiviral small molecule against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses by using a novel high-throughput screening assay. J Virol. 2014 Apr;88(8):4353-65. doi: 10.1128/JVI.03050-13.
In this study, we identified broad spectrum antiviral small molecules against SARS-CoV, Ebola, Hendra, and Nipah viruses. This study was highlighted in the journal issue and nominated by Dr. Karl Barry Sharpless (2001 Nobel Laureate in chemistry) for its significance.
Ashour HM, Elkhatib WF, Rahman MM, Elshabrawy HA. Insights into the Recent 2019 Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) in Light of Past Human Coronavirus Outbreaks. Pathogens. 2020 Mar 4;9(3):186. doi: 10.3390/pathogens9030186.
This paper was among the very first few papers that got published on SARS-CoV-2 at the beginning of the pandemic. It got highly cited 236 times since March 2020.
Kim SJ, Chen Z, Essani AB, Elshabrawy HA, Volin MV, Fantuzzi G, McInnes IB, Baker JF, Finn P, Kondos G, Volkov S, Swedler W, Arami S, Sweiss N, Shahrara S. Differential impact of obesity on the pathogenesis of RA or preclinical models is contingent on the disease status. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Apr;76(4):731-739. doi: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209206.
This paper was highlighted in the journal issue for its significance.
Elshabrawy HA, Chen Z, Volin MV, Ravella S, Virupannavar S, Shahrara S. The pathogenic role of angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis. Angiogenesis. 2015 Oct;18(4):433-48. doi: 10.1007/s10456-015-9477-2.
This paper is highly cited since it got published- 228 times.
Owen J. Kelly, PhD, RNUTR https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5137-7316
Dr. Kelly obtained both his Bachelors of Science (B.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Nutrition from University College Cork, Ireland. Dr. Kelly’s thesis demonstrated how overconsumption of ω-6 fatty acids can adversely affect bone health via inflammatory mechanisms. As a Postdoctoral Fellow at The Florida State University (FSU), Dr. Kelly helped create and manage a brand-new cell culture lab to study the anti-inflammatory effect of ω-3 fatty acids on murine osteoblast, adipocyte and mesenchymal stem cell metabolism, and how excess ω-6 contributes to osteoporosis and obesity. Dr. Kelly received an American Society for Bone and Mineral Research Young Investigator Award for his work at FSU. Additional Postdoctoral experience (UCLA, CA and Rutgers University, NJ) included studying various aspects of diet and cancer, including DNA deletions and metastases to bone. Dr. Kelly is also a Registered Nutritionist (RNutr.) through the Association for Nutrition in the UK, a professional body that defines and advances standards of evidence-based practice across the field of nutrition and at all levels within the workforce.
Prior to joining SHSU COM, Dr. Kelly worked in the medical food industry where he developed and delivered a variety of nutritional education and executed nutritional clinical trials. Before that he was an Assistant Professor in Nutrition at Texas Woman’s University (TWU) where he primarily lectured to dietetic and nursing students. Dr. Kelly’s University service included sitting on the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee and the Research Support Committee. He successfully gained funding for his primary research focus; to study the effect of different ratios of ω-6 and ω-3 fatty acids in fat and bone cell metabolism. Funding was also secured to investigate the anti-inflammatory actions of whole-grape powder in postmenopausal women and examine the dietary vitamin D intake and ultraviolet exposure in children, adults and college athletes. At TWU, Dr. Kelly received the Chancellors Research Fellow Award because of his novel approaches and future research potential. In addition, Dr. Kelly developed connections with churches and libraries close to TWU, where dietetic students could gain experience in disseminating nutrition education in both English and Spanish.
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Nutrition in health and disease |
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Osteosarcopenia adiposity (osteosarcopenic obesity) |
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Inflammation and diet |
| Body composition in health and disease |
| Health education |
| Nutritional “omics” and metabolic optimization |
Identifying and describing a new syndrome: osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO). After the concept/hypothesis paper was published, OSO was observed in Mexican frail middle-aged and older women, in Korean middle-aged to older women who consume a lower quality diet, and even in 18–21-year-old Greek males and females. OSO has evolved; we published a treatment and prevention algorithm, and revised diagnostic criteria to focus more on internal fat depots as opposed to overt obesity (such as BMI) and more recently we have renamed it osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA) to better reflect the role of ectopic and hidden fat.
Ideating, developing, and publishing the concept of nutrient ratios in nutrition. This concept proposes a new way of thinking about nutrients, not individually, but from a systems biology and ‘omics approach.
Innovating, developing, and researching the new scientific diet/nutrition focused direction for a commercially available diabetes shake with the aim of helping people manage diabetes through small steps to aid in weight loss and help manage blood glucose.
Published in: Ageing Research Reviews
Associate Editor: Frontiers in Clinical Nutrition
Guest Associate Editor: Cardiovascular Therapeutics Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine
Peer Reviewer: Nutrients, Children, Obesity Reviews; European Journal of Clinical Nutrition; British Journal of Nutrition; Nutrition: From Science to You (text book)
Funded Awards:
The Effect of Whole Grape Powder on Inflammation, Body Composition, and Fat and Bone Serum Biomarkers in Postmenopausal Women, Principal Investigator, California Table Grape Commission, 2011-2012.
Dairy Derived Bioactive Compounds as Stem Cell Mediators of Bone and Fat Metabolism, Co-Principal Investigator, National Dairy Council Discovery Pilot Project, 2008-2009.
Honors: Young Investigator Award, Abstract: Role of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in Osteoblast, Adipocyte, and Bone Marrow Stem Cell Proliferation, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, 2009
Ilich JZ, Kelly OJ, Inglis JE, Panton LB, Duque G, Ormsbee MJ. Interrelationship among muscle, fat, and bone: connecting the dots on cellular, hormonal, and whole body levels. Ageing Res Rev. 2014 May;15:51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2014.02.007
This article laid the framework for a new syndrome: osteosarcopenic obesity/osteosarcopenic adiposity (OSA/OSO). Other articles from around the world followed to further develop its diagnosis, its causes, and prevention and treatment.
Kelly OJ, Gilman JC, Ilich JZ. Utilizing Dietary Micronutrient Ratios in Nutritional Research May be More Informative than Focusing on Single Nutrients. Nutrients. 2018 Jan 19;10(1):107. doi: 10.3390/nu10010107
In this article we ideated, developed and published the concept of nutrient ratios in nutrition and how they may relate to quality of diet.
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Clinical Genetics |
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Molecular Genetics |
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders |
| Genetic Testing |
| MBD5-Associated Neurodevelopmental Disorders |
Research Highlights |
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Published in: The American Journal of Human Genetics Reviewer for: American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 2018-present; Human Mutation, 2018 Honors: PerkinElmer Diagnostics Travel Award, Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting, American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics, Phoenix, AZ, 2017 David Rimoin Award for Research Excellence in Medical Genetics, Department of Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, 2017 Roscoe D. Hughes Award for Outstanding Graduating PhD Candidate, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2013
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Talkowski ME, Mullegama SV, Rosenfeld JA, van Bon BW, Shen Y, Repnikova EA, Gastier-Foster J, Thrush DL, Kathiresan S, Ruderfer DM, Chiang C, Hanscom C, Ernst C, Lindgren AM, Morton CC, An Y, Astbury C, Brueton LA, Lichtenbelt KD, Ades LC, Fichera M, Romano C, Innis JW, Williams CA, Bartholomew D, Van Allen MI, Parikh A, Zhang L, Wu BL, Pyatt RE, Schwartz S, Shaffer LG, de Vries BB, Gusella JF, Elsea SH. Assessment of 2q23.1 microdeletion syndrome implicates MBD5 as a single causal locus of intellectual disability, epilepsy, and autism spectrum disorder. Am J Hum Genet. 2011 Oct 7;89(4):551-63. doi: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2011.09.011
This is the first large study paper that established that MBD5 is responsible for 2q23.1 deletion syndrome.
Mullegama SV, Klein SD, Mulatinho MV, Senaratne TN, Singh K; UCLA Clinical Genomics Center, Nguyen DC, Gallant NM, Strom SP, Ghahremani S, Rao NP, Martinez-Agosto JA. De novo loss-of-function variants in STAG2 are associated with developmental delay, microcephaly, and congenital anomalies. Am J Med Genet A. 2017 May;173(5):1319-1327. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38207
Discovered a new disorder by identifying pathogenic variants in STAG2 causes this new disorder that is in the cohesinopathy family. The disorder was named for us by OMIM, Mullegama-Klein syndrome.
Mullegama SV, Rosenfeld JA, Orellana C, van Bon BW, Halbach S, Repnikova EA, Brick L, Li C, Dupuis L, Rosello M, Aradhya S, Stavropoulos DJ, Manickam K, Mitchell E, Hodge JC, Talkowski ME, Gusella JF, Keller K, Zonana J, Schwartz S, Pyatt RE, Waggoner DJ, Shaffer LG, Lin AE, de Vries BB, Mendoza-Londono R, Elsea SH. Reciprocal deletion and duplication at 2q23.1 indicates a role for MBD5 in autism spectrum disorder. Eur J Hum Genet. 2014 Jan;22(1):57-63. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2013.67
This paper was the first paper that established the MBD5 is a dosage sensitive gene and that duplications in this gene are responsible for 2q23.1 duplication syndrome.
Mullegama SV, Mendoza-Londono R, Elsea SH. MBD5 Haploinsufficiency. 2016 Oct 27. In: Adam MP, Ardinger HH, Pagon RA, Wallace SE, Bean LJH, Mirzaa G, Amemiya A, editors. GeneReviews® [Internet]. Seattle (WA): University of Washington, Seattle; 1993–2021.
We were commissioned by GeneReviews to write the comprehensive review of MBD5 associated disorders.
Mullegama SV, Klein SD, Nguyen DC, Kim A, Signer R, Fox M, Dorrani N, Hendershot A, Mardach R, Suddath R, Dipple K, Vilain E, Wong DA, Deignan JL, D Cederbaum S, Grody WW, Martinez-Agosto JA. Is it time to retire fragile X testing as a first-tier test for developmental delay, intellectual disability, and autism spectrum disorder? Genet Med. 2017 Dec;19(12). doi: 10.1038/gim.2017.146
Article highlights my advocacy of ordering the proper clinical genetic tests to provide the best diagnostic yield for our patients.
Mullegama SV, Pugliesi L, Burns B, Shah Z, Tahir R, Gu Y, Nelson DL, Elsea SH. MBD5 haploinsufficiency is associated with sleep disturbance and disrupts circadian pathways common to Smith-Magenis and fragile X syndromes. Eur J Hum Genet. 2015 Jun;23(6):781-9. doi: 10.1038/ejhg.2014.200
As
a neurobiologist with a background and training in comparative medicine, Dr. Sittaramane is interested in applying basic science knowledge to develop clinically relevant novel therapeutic strategies. His research is focused on developing translational pre-clinical models with unique assays to identify new therapeutic solutions for chronic neuropathic pain, pediatric behavioral problems and cancer.
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Neurovascular unit development and maintenance |
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Drug discovery for Chronic neuropathic pain, behavioral problems, stroke & cancer |
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Neural circuitry of behavior |
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Nanotherapeutics |
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Neuronal migration and development |
| Mentored over 50 undergraduate and 13 graduate students, including 12 honors research students |
| Served as course director for several biomedical sciences-based courses such as Neurobiology and Neuroanatomy, Human Pathophysiology, Cancer Biology, Developmental Biology and Histology |
| Served as PI in externally funded research programs from American Cancer Society, Georgia EP, NSF and Sigma Xi |
| Served as PI in several internally funded research programs at Georgia Southern University |
| Editorial board member of Frontiers in Neural Circuits, Toxicology Research and Applications, Pharmaceuticals, BMC Research Reports |
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Reviewer of Nanotechnology, Developmental Growth and Differentiation, Comparative Medicine, International Journal of Developmental Biology, Zebrafish, Applied Sciences, Toxicology Research and Applications, Toxics, Marine Genomics, PLoS One, Developmental Dynamics |
Selected media coverages of research activities
| July 22, 2021. How Cuttlefish think outside of the brain. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/animal-minds/202107/how-cuttlefish-think-outside- the-brain |
| April 3, 2019. 8 years after fish kill, an Ogeechee update. https://www.savannahnow.com/news/20190403/8-years-after-fish-kill-ogeechee-update |
| April 2, 2019. Ogeechee study yields wealth of data. https://www.statesboroherald.com/local/associated-press/ogeechee-study-yields-wealth-data/ |
| August 10, 2017. Hot Chemical science articles for July https://blogs.rsc.org/sc/2017/08/10/hot-chemical-science-articles-for-july- 3/?doing_wp_cron=1629939370.0116620063781738281250 |
| November 15, 2016. “Mis(sed) Connections” TEDx GeorgiaSouthernU https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/17901 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHitzQ2NEHk |
Silva J, Albers T, Bahassan A, Omar N, Ikuesan B, Lebedyeva IO, Sittaramane V and Cowell JK. A small molecule screen to identify compounds that suppress invasion and metastasis promoted by WASF3 activation. (Accepted in Heliyon)
Gurung S, Restrepo NK, Sittaramane V, Sumanas S. Requirement of a novel gene, Drishti, in the retinal ganglion cell and primary motor axon development. (Accepted in Developmental Dynamics)
Landge S, Philp J§, Ugboya A§, Graves I*, Jordan K*, Fasusi E, Aiken K, Sittaramane V. Evaluation of ortho-substituted bis-functionalized triazoles as tyrosinase inhibitors that can modulate dopamine synthesis and behavior in zebrafish. (Accepted in Medicinal Chemistry Research)
Shah, G., P. Shankar, V. Sittaramane, E. Ayangunna§, E. Afriyie-Gyawu. Ensuring food safety for Americans: the role of local health departments. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19:7344 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127344
May C§, Shankar P, Afriyie-Gyawu E, Sittaramane V. Recycling and repurposing food waste
as feed for small-scale zebrafish (Danio rerio) aquaculture. Int J Fish Aquat Stud 2022; 10(1):09-17.
Williams A*, Villamor L*, Fussell J*, Loveless R*, Smeyne D*, Philp J§, Shaikh A, Sittaramane V. Discovery of quinoline-derived trifluoromethyl alcohols as antiepileptic and analgesic agents that block sodium channels. ChemMedChem 2022 Jan 10. Doi: 10.1002/cmdc.202200547
Asante E§, Hummel D§, Gurung S§, Kassim YM, Al-Shakarji N, Palaniappan K, Sittaramane V, Chandrasekhar A. Defective Neuronal Positioning Correlates With Aberrant Motor Circuit Function in Zebrafish. Front Neural Circuits. 2021 Jun 24;15:690475.
Bowers J§, Wilson J*, Nimi T*, Sittaramane V. Potential evidence of peripheral learning and memory in the arms of dwarf cuttlefish, Sepia bandensis. J Comp Physiol A Neuroethol Sens Neural Behav Physiol. 2021 Jul;207(4):575-594.
Chall A§, Stagg J*, Mixson A*, Gato E, Quirino RL, Sittaramane V. Ablation of cells in mice using antibody-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Ab-MWCNTs) in combination with microwaves. Nanotechnology. 2021 May 7;32(19):195102.
Clark C*, Chall A§, Stagg J*, Sittaramane V, Quirino RL, Mixson AC*, Gato WE. Investigating the toxicology of intramuscular injected multiwalled carbon nanotubes conjugated antibody (CNT-Ab) in mice followed by microwave hyperthermia.
Toxicology Research and Application. January 2021. doi:10.1177/23978473211001580
Bowers J§, Nimi T*, Wilson J*, Wagner S*, Amarie D, Sittaramane V. Evidence of learning and memory in the juvenile dwarf cuttlefish Sepia bandensis. Learn Behav. 2020 Dec;48(4):420-431.
Aslan, A, Shah, G, Sittaramane, V, & Shankar, P. Sewage monitoring in rural communities: A powerful strategy for COVID-19 surveillance. Journal of Environmental Health. 2020, 83(5).
Shah GH, Shankar P, Schwind JS, Sittaramane V. The Detrimental Impact of the COVID-19 Crisis on Health Equity and Social Determinants of Health. J Public Health Manag Pract.2020 Jul/Aug;26(4):317-319.
Waters E*, Sararu SC*, Udristioiu MT*, Sittaramane V, Amarie D. Piezoelectric based sensor development to measure sound intensity in aquatic environments. Bulletin of the American Physical Society 65, 1, 2020.
Williams A*, Turner D*, Li R*, Lott D*, Riera SF§, Wagner A§, Shaikh A, Cohen RA, Sittaramane V. 4-Methylcyclohexanemethanol (4-MCHM) influences zebrafish (Danio rerio) larval behavior and plankton community composition. Eastern Biologist, Special Issue 1:101-116. 2019.
Kelly J, Reichard J, Tu W, Van Stan J, Couch C, Mullis D, Checo Colón-Gaud J, Cohen R, Lewis J, Sittaramane V and Vives S. Assessment of hydrological, biological and environmental components of the lower Ogeechee River ecosystem. Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Atlanta, GA. 2019.
Beckler B*, Cowan A*, Farrar N*, Murawski A*, Robinson A§, Diamanduros A, Scarpinato K, Sittaramane V and Quirino RL. Microwave heating of antibody-functionalized carbon nanotubes as a feasible cancer treatment. Biomedical Physics & Engineering Express 4, 2018; 045025.
Gurung S§, Asante E§, Hummel D§, Williams A*, Feldman-Schultz O, Halloran MC, Sittaramane V and Chandrasekhar A. Distinct roles for the cell adhesion molecule contactin2 in the development and function of neural circuits in zebrafish. Mechanisms of Development. 2018 Aug; 152: 1-2.
Thomas S*, Colton S*, Wagner S*, Sittaramane V, Amarie D. Development of a behavioral assay using a fluidic device to study learning and memory in cuttlefish larvae. Bulletin of the American Physical Society 63, 1, 2018.
Below are short excerpts of current research projects in my lab:
Characterizing neurovascular unit development and maintenance in the vertebrate brain
Neurovascular development is critical given that minor faults during the developmental phase can set up the brain for chronic assault of the brain due to impaired neurovascular units, defective blood brain barriers, increased neuroinflammation, leaky hemorrhages, hypoxia, easy gain of access to neurotrophic viruses such as SARS CoV-2 etc. Defective neurovascular units can lead to functional impairment of neural circuits and behavior. Our study will provide important insights on the role and mechanism of action of cell adhesion molecules such as Integrin α6β1 in neurovascular unit development and maintenance, potentially leading to novel therapeutic strategies for preventing neurovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Mapping the Neural Circuits underlying Behavior
My lab has been actively investigating to understand how the neural circuits are built to regulate important behaviors such as learning, memory and feeding. We have developed novel animal behavior models such as cephalopods (dwarf cuttlefish) and zebrafish.
Discovery of Novel Neurotherapeutics
We collaborated with organic chemists to synthesize voltage gated sodium channel blocking quinoline derived-trifluoromethyl alcohol (QTAs) and tyrosinase inhibiting Ortho substituted triazole derivatives that can reduce dopamine biosynthesis to screen and identify novel pharmacologically active analgesic, antiepileptic and neuroleptic agents using vertebrate models.
Developing Novel Cancer Therapies
We have developed humanized-zebrafish tumor xenografts as in vivo animal model to investigate and understand the mechanism of tumor invasion and metastases and identify novel chemotherapeutic agents against human cancers. My lab has identified that the cell adhesion molecule, Integrin alpha 6 (ITGA6) is required for the remodeling of extracellular matrix to allow for invasion and metastases of tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment. We have also collaborated with several labs to screen and identify various chemotherapeutic agents against breast cancer cells targeting WASF3, lung cancer cells targeting antioxidant pathways, prostate cancer targeting ITGA6 etc.
Developing Nanotechnology tool for targeted cancer therapy
We have developed a novel antibody conjugated Carbon Nanotube (CNT) and microwave-based tool to selectively ablate cancer cells. We showed the proof of principle of this methodology using cell culture, zebrafish and mice models. We have also studied their in vivo toxicity and distribution in zebrafish and mice and showed this technology is feasible for primate and human use.
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