Ravichand Palakurti

Ravichand Palakurti, MSc. PhD 
Postdoctoral Associate, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine 
Former Postdoctoral Fellow, Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering 

Dr. Ravichand Palakurti is a molecular and cellular biologist with over a decade of translational research experience spanning neurotherapeutics, regenerative medicine, and protein biochemistry. He currently serves as a Postdoctoral Associate at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, where he investigates the molecular underpinnings of diabetic peripheral neuropathy-DPN and stroke, with a focus on developing targeted therapeutic strategies. 

His research integrates advanced biochemical techniques with in-vivo models to elucidate disease mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets. Dr. Palakurti has led and contributed to NIH- and DoD-funded projects, including the development of miRNA- and ASO-based therapies for stroke and the reprogramming of fibroblasts for regenerative applications. His work has been published in high-impact journals such as Nature Communications and Molecular Therapy. 

During his tenure at McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine and the Indiana Center for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, he pioneered the use of spatial proteomics platforms (Phenocycler, Xenium), and laser speckle contrast imaging to investigate tissue remodeling and perfusion dynamics in stroke and DPN. He also pioneered Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) diabetic models to simulate ischemic stroke and utilized stereotaxic injections for precise delivery of gene modulators into the brain, advancing mechanistic understanding of cerebrovascular pathology. 

Dr. Palakurti earned his PhD in Biological Sciences from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, where his research focused on computational drug discovery for Alzheimer’s disease therapeutics. He also holds an MSc in Biotechnology and a BSc in Biochemistry from premier institutions in India. 

A committed mentor, he has trained many researchers and serves as a reviewer for leading journals in molecular biosciences. His technical expertise spans spatial proteomic and transcriptomic profiling, animal models, microsurgery, molecular cloning, protein purification, transcriptional profiling, and bioinformatics. Recognized with a travel award by the Protein Society (2019) and recipient of several national and international research grants, Dr. Palakurti continues to drive innovation at the intersection of cellular biology and neuroscience.