New investigator: Sowmya Yelamanchili, Ph.D.

This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers who will be honored at a ceremony for UNMC’s 2017 Scientist Laureate, Distinguished Scientist and New Investigator Award recipients.

• Name: Sowmya Yelamanchili, Ph.D.
• Title: Assistant professor, UNMC Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine
• Joined UNMC: 2008
• Hometown: Hyderabad, India

Research focus:
Neurodegenerative diseases and drug abuse

The goal of my research is to:
Understand the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in neurodegenerative disorders such as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), a condition comprising a spectrum of brain dysfunction during chronic HIV infection and further exacerbated by the psychostimulant methamphetamine.

While our works in vivo (rodent, non-human primates) have identified novel EV-associated miRNAs, our in vitro works have further studied the underlying mechanisms during disease manifestation. My laboratory has recently for the first time elucidated that EV-associated microRNAs can elicit neurotoxicity in models of neuronal injury including HAND and in rodent models of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Current ongoing works are focused on elucidating the role of cargo molecules, which are expressed on the EVs, and how they impact brain function in HAND and TBI. In addition, my lab also focuses on developing novel in vitro and ex vivo model systems to understand brain function during development.

My research will make a difference because:
Drug abuse is a serious problem and a significant contributor to neurodegenerative diseases. My research goal is to understand how both acute and chronic drug abuse changes not only brain structure but also its function. The knowledge gained through our studies could be used for translational works to develop novel therapeutic targets and therapies for drug addiction.

The best advice I’ve ever been given is:
Be good and do good.

Three things you may not know about me are:

• I paint and love oil painting — mixing of colors in oil is magical!
• Mountains are my favorite getaway!
• I practice yoga and meditation.