Shanjana Awasthi, Ph.D.

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Summary

Research in my lab is focused on developing immunotherapeutics and vaccines by harnessing our body's natural host defense mechanisms. Our research efforts have been focused on developing TLR4-interacting surfactant protein-A-derived peptides and dendritic cell-based vaccine approaches. We are interested in investigating the mechanisms of action and efficacy of these approaches using structural, computational, physicochemical, and immunological tools and methods, and in vitro and in animal models of infection, inflammation and cancer.

Certifications & Licenses

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Publications & Presentations

6. Godbole N M, Chowdhury A A, Chataut N, Awasthi S. Tight Junctions, the Epithelial Barrier, and Toll-like Receptor-4 During Lung Injury. Inflammation. 2022; 45 : 2142-2162

7. Chowdhury A, Kyere-Davies G, Kosanke S D, Awasthi S. Biological activity of SPA4 peptide against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced injury. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2021; 203: A3885 meeting abstract

8. Awasthi S, Kumar G, Ramani V, Awasthi V, Rodgers K K, Xie J, Beierle J, Kyere-Davies G, Singh B, Rahman N, Chowdhury A A, Chataut N. Mechanism of Anti-Inflammatory Activity of TLR4-Interacting SPA4 Peptide. ImmunoHorizons. 2021; 5 : 659-674

9. Dela Cruz C S, Evans S E, Restrepo M I, Dean N, Torres A, Amara-Elori I, Awasthi S, Caler E, Cao B, Chalmers J D, Chastre J, Cohen T S, Cohen A H, Crothers K, Di Y P, Egan M E, Feldman C, Gautam S, Halstead E S, Herold S, Jones B E, Luna C, Niederman M S, Mendez R, Menendez R, Mizgerd J P, Nusrat R, Ramirez J, Shindo Y, Waterer G, Yeligar S M, Wunderink R G. Understanding the Host in the Management of Pneumonia. An Official American Thoracic Society Workshop Report. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2021; 18 : 1087-1097

10. Awasthi V, Vilekar P, Rao G, Awasthi S. Anti-inflammatory mediators ST2 and SIGIRR are induced by diphenyldifluoroketone EF24 in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated dendritic cells. Immunobiology. 2020; 225 : 151886

Grants

1. Surfactant protein-A regions as TLR4-immunomodulators. NIH. Start Date: 2017. End Date: 2023.

2. Molecular mechanism of action of TLR4-interacting SPA4 peptide in lung epithelial cell systems. Non-federal. Start Date: 2021. End Date: 2022.

3. Immunomodulation by a TLR4-interacting Surfactant protein-A peptide. Non-federal. Start Date: 2013. End Date: 2021.

4. Control of lung inflammation by a TLR4-interacting SP-A-derived peptide. NIH. Start Date: 2013. End Date: 2017.

5. Structure-function relation of a TLR4-interacting Surfactant protein-A-derived peptide. NIH. Start Date: 2013. End Date: 2014.

Awards and Honors

1. OUHSC. Inductee, Oklahoma Center for Mentoring Excellence, Educators for Excellence. Date: 2024.


2. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professorship. Date: 2024.


3. NIH, DOD. Received appreciation for serving on review panels. Date: 2024.


4. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Presbyterian Health Foundation Presidential Professorship. Date: 2023.


5. University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. Member of Educators for Excellence. Date: 2022.

Education

1. Degree: Post-Baccalaureate Categorical certificate in Clinical Microbiology. University of Texas Health Sciences Center at San Antonio. Date: 2006.


2. Degree: Ph D. Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences. Date: 1995.


3. Degree: MS. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). Date: 1990.


4. Degree: BS. MKP College, HNM Garhwal University. Date: 1988.

Administrative Assignments

no results

External Connections and Partnerships

1. Type: Funding. Org: Oklahoma State University (year 2013- year 2017). City: Stillwater. State: Oklahoma. NIH-supported COBRE program in Respiratory and Infectious Diseases. Date: 2013.


2. Type: Funding. Org: University of Oklahoma (year 2013- year 2014). City: Norman. State: Oklahoma. NIH-supported COBRE program in Structural Biology. Date: 2013.