Sindhuja Pannuri

Major: Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience

Class Year: 2028

High School: Liberty High School

Advisors: Dr. Ashok Shetty and Dr. Hubert Amrein

Research Focus: Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, Statistics, Life Sciences

Organizations and Programs: TAMU College of Medicine Research Associate & Academic Collaborator, Shetty Lab, Amrein Lab, Undergraduate Research Scholars, Cox Undergraduate Research Scholars Program, TAMU Honors Academy, Institute for the Development and Education of Asian American Leaders, TAMU BUILD, TAMU National Marrow Donor Program, LEAD Conference, MSC FLI

Awards and Distinctions: Triche '50 Endowed Scholarship, Undergraduate Research Scholar, Undergraduate Research Ambassador, Cox Undergraduate Research Scholar, President's Volunteer Service Award, Dean's Honor Roll

Experience: Research Experiences for Undergraduates, Emergency Medical Technician, Fall/Spring/Summer Semesterly Research, Poster and Oral Presentations, Symposiums, Hospital Volunteering, Patient Interaction, Internships

Years Experience: 3

Other Activities: Boxing, Concerts, Hiking, Traveling, Cooking, Reading, Vocal Performance

Bio: Howdy! My name is Sindhuja Pannuri, and I am an undergrad, pre-med neuroscience major with a strong interest in neurodegenerative disease and translational research.

As a researcher in Dr. Ashok Shetty’s lab at the Texas A&M Institute for Regenerative Medicine, I contribute to NIH and DOD-funded work investigating neuroinflammation in a Gulf War Illness mouse model. My project focuses on quantifying inflammasome activity in microglia and astrocytes across key brain regions using stereological methods, histological staining, and advanced microscopy. Through this work, I analyze markers such as NLRP3, ASC, IBA-1, and GFAP to better understand cell-specific inflammatory responses and their broader implications in chronic neurological disease.

Previously, I conducted research in Dr. Hubert Amrein’s lab at the Texas A&M School of Medicine, where I studied sensory perception in Drosophila. Using molecular and genetic techniques, I investigated how specific signaling pathways influence neuronal function and behavior, strengthening my foundation in experimental design and data analysis.

In addition, as a Cox Undergraduate Research Scholar, I have developed computational skills in Python, R, SPSS, and Stata, allowing me to transform complex datasets into meaningful insights. Across these experiences, I have learned to approach scientific questions with curiosity, persistence, and adaptability.

I aspire to become a physician, integrating research and clinical care to develop biomarker-driven approaches for early detection and personalized treatment of neurological disorders with the goal of improving accessibility and outcomes for underserved communities.