Yale University School of Medicine
I, Ravindra Gudneppanavar, a Postdoctoral Associate in the Department of Pediatrics at Yale University School of Medicine, working under the mentorship of Dr. Emanuela Bruscia. My current research focuses on understanding immune dysfunction in cystic fibrosis (CF), specifically investigating the role of Ezrin—an actin-binding protein—in regulating macrophage function during pulmonary infections. I earned my Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Akron in 2022. My dissertation combined experimental and computational approaches to study methanotrophic bacteria, including confocal microscopy to analyze intracytoplasmic membranes and coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations to examine lipid-methane interactions. I also hold an M.Sc. in Chemistry from the University of Akron and a BS-MS dual degree in Chemistry (with a minor in Biology) from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Bhopal, India.
Since joining Yale, I have gained extensive experience in mouse models of infection and inflammation, primary immune cell cultures, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, and functional immune assays. My postdoctoral work has led to several publications, including first-author papers in Cell Death & Disease and co-authorships in Journal of Leukocyte Biology and other peer-reviewed journals. During my graduate studies, I explored how prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling regulates TGFβ1-induced fibroblast-to-myofibroblast differentiation. This work, alongside projects on mast cells and leukotrienes, broadened my understanding of immune cell regulation in inflammation and fibrosis.
I have presented my work at national and international conferences such as the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference (NACFC), the AAI Immunology Conference, and the Gordon Research Conference. In 2024, I was honored to receive the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellowship and the AAI Trainee Abstract Award.
Beyond research, I’ve enjoyed teaching and mentoring students. While at the University of Akron, I taught undergraduate chemistry labs and led journal discussions in advanced biochemistry courses. At Yale, I’ve led peer-to-peer workshops on fluorescence image analysis using ImageJ.
I am passionate about translational immunology and am driven by the goal of improving therapeutic strategies for chronic inflammatory diseases like cystic fibrosis. My diverse background—from chemical biology to immunology—equips me with a unique perspective for tackling complex problems at the intersection of infection, immunity, and inflammation.
Friday, October 24, 2025
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM PDT