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Chitra D. Mandyam

Chitra D. Mandyam

Credentials: 

  • PhD.

Current Position(s): 

  • Research Biologist VASDHS

  • Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UCSD

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, TSRI

Personal Statement: 

Dr. Mandyam's laboratory incorporates innovative experiments to elucidate issues that are of high importance to the addiction and adult neurogenesis fields. The general goal of her laboratory is to understand the relationship between brain structure and function using state-of-the-art molecular and cellular approaches to study high-level mental functions such as drug taking and seeking (which are the purview of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience). Dr. Mandyam and her lab employs genetic, pharmacological and histochemical techniques, and behavioral paradigms for understanding the role of newly born neurons and myelinating oligodendrocytes in drug pathology. The specific research theme of her laboratory is to determine the functional significance of adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis in addiction and addictive disorders. Her research is focused around two areas of inquiry: 1) the role of stem cells in drug neuropathology and 2) novel neuroprotective strategies in addictive disorders.

Education:

  • M.S.  Department of Microbiology, Bangalore University, India, 1995

  • Ph.D. Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, 2002

Awards and Honors: 

  • Permanent member, Center for Scientific Review Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section, 2015

  • Temporary member, Center for Scientific Review- Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior Study Section, 2014 - present

  • Associate Member, American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2014

  • Selected for training in Neurotherapeutics, Discovery and Development sponsored by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, 2013

  • Member, Federal Advisory Committee Act for Department of Veterans Affairs Regenerative Medicine panel ,2012 - 2016

  • American College of Neuropsychopharmacology Young Investigator Travel Award, 2011

  • Presented findings at the Society for Neuroscience Press Conference ‘New Insights into Addiction’, 2009

  • Field Editor, International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 2009-Present 

  • Career Development Award, National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2007-2013

  • One-year sponsored membership in Science Program for Excellence in Science, American Association for the Advancement of Science, 2007-2008

  • Poster Presentation Award in Neurosciences, Society of Fellows, TSRI, 2006

  • National Research Service Award, 2003-2005

  • Travel Award (Route28 summits in neurobiology), VolkswagenStiftung, 2002

  • National Research Service Award, 2002-2003

  • Graduate Student Research Achievement Award, University of Houston, Sigma Xi chapter, 2001

  • Travel Award for 2001 International Narcotics Research Conference, 2001

  • National Research Service Award, 2001-2002

  • National Scholarship, Government of Karnataka, India 1988-1989

Professional History:

  • Associate Professor, Department of Anesthesiology, UCSD, 2017-Present

  • Research Biologist, VA San Diego Healthcare System, 2016-Present

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience, TSRI, 2016-Present

  • Associate Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy, UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015-Present

  • Member, Neurosciences graduate program, UCSD, 2010-Present 

  • Associate Professor, Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, TSRI, 2013-2016

  • Assistant Adjunct Professor of Pharmacy, UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2010-2014

  • Assistant Professor, Committee on the Neurobiology of Addictive Disorders, TSRI, 2007-2012

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Cell Biology and Addiction Research) TSRI, 2005-2007

  • Postdoctoral Fellow (Cell Biology and Neuroscience) University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 2002 -2005

  • Graduate Student (Neuropharmacology) University of Houston,1998-2002

  • Research Assistant, Biological Sciences, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, 1997-1998

  • Guest Lecturer (Microbiology) Bangalore University, Bangalore, 1995-1996

  • Graduate Student, (Microbiology) Bangalore University, Bangalore, 1993-1995

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National/Global Website: National Center for Biotechnology Information

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