Dhruva Reddy Vanakeri
Start Date in the Lab: 10/19/2025
🔬 Research Focus
What question or problem are you most excited to answer through your work? Whether DCS in conjunction with different Ampakines can raise sub threshold electrical stimulation for an easier rehabilitation.
What techniques or approaches do you use most often? Electrical stimulation through nodes in the given injured area, in vivo diagnosing, and IP injections.
💡 Scientific Journey
What inspired your interest in neuroscience, physiology, or the study of breathing and spinal cord injury? I have previous experience with researching pharmaceuticals and finding therapeutic approaches to diseases, but delving into neurological injuries and how severe they can be in affecting breathing inspired me to research therapies for acute and chronic brain/spinal injuries.
Where did you train or study before joining the Rana Lab? I have previously worked at the Ranganathan lab researching Grafts vs. Host Disease in both acute and chronic models.
Was there a key experience, mentor, or project that shaped your path in science? I’ve always leaned towards science as an adolescent, but I’ve always been curious about how the body works. After many of my family members passed away due to health complications, it inspired me to learn more about medicine and delve deeper into science as a result.
🌍 Broader Impact
How do you see your work contributing to improving human health or understanding the nervous system? I believe our work will help us create new therapeutic approaches for TBI and SCI rehabilitations and in combination with existing therapies, we can help people recover faster and more efficiently.
What part of the Rana Lab’s mission resonates most with you? Balancing work and fun while creating an encouraging environment to research in.
🧭 Future Goals
What are your professional aspirations (short- or long-term)? Attending medical school to become a physician and M.D, hopefully working in the Orthopedics field.
Are there specific skills or collaborations you hope to build during your time here? Learning electrode making and implantation.
🎨 Beyond the Bench
What do you enjoy doing outside of the lab? I love playing sports (soccer, basketball, pickleball) with my friends and on random teams. I enjoy going to the gym and spending time with my friends on weekends.
Favorite hobby, sport, or creative outlet: My favorite sport is soccer, but I love watching basketball.
Fun or quirky fact about you your labmates might not know: I was born on a leap day
Favorite brain region (and why, if you’d like!): Hippocampus because it controls a person’s memories and the ability to learn information.
☕ Quickfire:
One word that describes your research style: Detailed
Favorite lab technique or piece of equipment: Intravenous Injections
Coffee order or lab snack of choice: Vanilla Latte
Current playlist or podcast while analyzing data: Straight Hits
In another life, I’d be a ___: Professional Soccer player
Best advice you’ve received in science: Put all data down even if it’s bad.
