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Rajanahalli, Pavan

Meet Pavan Rajanahalli

Assistant Professor, Biology

Phone: (813) 257-3826
Email: prajanahalli@ut.edu
Address: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33606
Building: 10F

Education

2003 Oxford College of Science, Bangalore, India, B.Sc.
2006 Bangalore University, Bangalore, India, M.Sc.
2011 University of Dayton, Ph.D.

View CV (PDF)

Courses Taught

General Biology Lab I

Career Specialties

As a stem cell biologist, my research work includes cellular reprogramming, differentiation and 3D culture of pluripotent stem cells.

Professional and Community Activities

Pavan Rajanahalli's research activity includes the following:
  • Reprogramming somatic cells (skin, peripheral blood mononuclear cells) into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using small molecules and episomal plasmids. 
  • Identifying novel differentiation methods of iPSCs (using small molecules) to generate neuronal stem cells, oligodendrocytes, cardiomyocytes, pancreatic beta cells, hematopoietic stem cells and T-cells and use these cells to model diseases (genetic, autoimmune and metabolic) in a dish.
  • Developing a 3D cell culture system (using advanced hydrogel systems for organoid formation from iPSCs and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and spheroid formation of tumors (drug testing). 
  • Using oparticles (Ag, Au, Zn, Fe, and Pt) and identifying pathways responsible for DNA damage and apoptosis in stem cells.
Rajanahalli's involvement with the community includes being extensively involved in reviewing travel scholarships, abstracts for oral and poster presentations, enhancing undergraduate participation and proposing professional development sessions for the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) and Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS).

Rajanahalli also judges science fairs at local middle and high schools.

Rajanahalli was also featured in BioPortfolio, a portal for life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceutical and biotechnology.
https://www.bioportfolio.com/news/article/3582492/An-effective-model-to-study-nanoparticle-toxicity-using-stem-cells.html

Honors and Awards

  • American Society for Cell Biology, 2017, The Well Bioscience, LLC travel award
  • Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) Judges’ Travel Award, 2015 and 2016
  • Phi Zeta Research Day – Basic Sciences Research Presentation Award, 2014