Shashank M. Dravid

Shashank M. Dravid is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Texas A&M University. His research focuses on glutamate receptor physiology and pharmacology, particularly in neurological and psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, autism, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, and chronic pain. He holds a B.V.Sc. & A.H. (DVM), PhD in Pharmacology, and an MBA.

Education:

• B.V.Sc. & A.H. (DVM), G.B. Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, India (1994-1999)
• Ph.D., Pharmacology/Toxicology, University of Georgia (1999-2003)
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Emory University (2003-2006)
• MBA, Creighton University (2010-2012)

Research Interests:

Dr. Dravid’s lab investigates the role of glutamate receptors (GluD1, NMDA) in neural circuits, with a focus on their involvement in behavioral flexibility, synaptic pruning, and chronic pain mechanisms. Techniques include optogenetics, electrophysiology, and behavioral analysis. Recent work highlights GluD1’s role in amygdala pain pathways and GluN2C/D subunits in schizophrenia and addiction.

Funding & Collaborations:

• NIH R01 grants (NINDS, NIMH) for projects on glutamate receptor signaling in pain and schizophrenia
• Collaborations with institutions like Emory University and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center

Labs & Teams:

His research group explores molecular mechanisms of synaptic dysfunction, with a focus on translational drug discovery for neurological disorders.