معرفی
Pankaj Baral is an Associate Professor in the Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology at Kansas State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. His research bridges neuroscience and immunology to investigate neuroimmune mechanisms in infectious diseases, with significant contributions to understanding neuronal regulation of host defense in respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. He teaches core immunology courses including BIOL 670 (2021-2025) and BIOL 840 Molecular and Cellular Immunology (2024).
Education:
- Ph.D. from Mahidol University, Thailand
- Postdoctoral researcher at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine
- Research Fellow in the Department of Immunology, Harvard Medical School
Dr. Baral's laboratory focuses on how sensory and autonomic neurons modulate immune responses during infections, particularly in the respiratory tract. His team discovered that lung-innervating nociceptor neurons promote sepsis during Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection and suppress neutrophil responses in bacterial pneumonia. Using multidisciplinary approaches including single-cell analysis, animal models, and neuroimmunology techniques, his research identifies neuronal mediators (e.g., neuropeptides, neurotransmitters) as potential therapeutic targets for infectious and inflammatory diseases. Current work examines neuroimmune crosstalk in viral pneumonia and chronic lung conditions.
Analysis of his 2013-2024 publications reveals consistent focus on neuroimmune interactions across mucosal barriers (lung, gut, skin), with emerging trends in cell-type-specific neuronal regulation of immunity. Research spans immunology, neuroscience, and infectious diseases, featuring subfields like pain immunology, bacterial pathogenesis, and neurogenic inflammation. His high-impact work in journals including Nature, Cell, and Science Advances has established foundational knowledge in neuroimmunology.
Dr. Baral maintains an active research laboratory in Mosier Hall (K-201/K-216) where he mentors graduate students using advanced techniques in microbiology, immunology, and neuroscience. His teaching emphasizes translational applications of immunological principles, preparing students for careers in veterinary medicine and biomedical research.
