Kodali receives Research Excellence Award

Maheedhar Kodali, PhD, research scientist in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics at the Texas A&M University School of Medicine, has received the Research Excellence Award for postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and research track faculty for the year 2023.

Each year, the School of Medicine recognizes up to two outstanding scholars within the school’s research enterprise, including postdoctoral fellows, research scientists and non-tenure track faculty (research assistants and associate professors). These awards were established to recognize investigators’ accomplishments and their standing in the national and international scientific community. This competitive award pays tribute to each scholar’s research accomplishments. In addition to a cash prize, awardees are given the opportunity to present their research in a school-wide seminar, in coordination with a leading researcher in the same field.

“This award is one of the most important achievements in my research career,” Kodali said. “It is a significant and appropriate recognition by the Texas A&M School of Medicine for an early investigator for his career development.”

Kodali, who holds a PhD in cancer biology, joined the school as a postdoctoral research fellow in the lab of  Ashok K Shetty, PhD, in 2012. During his tenure at the School of Medicine, Kodali transitioned from a postdoctoral researcher to an associate research scientist and then a research scientist. Kodali has performed high-impact research on neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in brain aging, stem cell therapy for epilepsy, and the therapeutic application of extracellular vesicles to treat neurological disorders such as traumatic brain injury. His contributions to military medicine include understanding the pathophysiology of Gulf War Illness and developing novel therapeutic approaches to improve brain function in Gulf War Illness veterans.

Kodali’s publications are highly regarded by peers and high-profile scientists in the research field. In addition to contributing to impactful scientific publications, Kodali is a member of various scientific societies. His research program on Gulf War Illness has received U.S. Department of Defense grant support. He is also an editorial board member of several prestigious journals, including the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles and Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences.

Kodali expressed optimism about prospective multidisciplinary collaboration after receiving this Research Excellence Award. “This award has stimulated me to acquire additional extramural research grants and develop a nationally and internationally recognized independent research program,” he said.