معرفی
Shermali Gunawardena is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University at Buffalo, College of Arts and Sciences. She serves as Director of Admissions for PhD and MS Programs. Her research focuses on axonal transport mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s, examining how defects in intracellular transport contribute to neuronal degeneration. She holds a PhD from the University of Arizona and conducted postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego.
Key research areas include the role of huntingtin and α-synuclein proteins in mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy regulation, and vesicle trafficking. Her work combines genetic models (e.g., Drosophila) with advanced imaging techniques to study protein-motor interactions and signaling pathways. Recent studies highlight GSK3β and presenilin’s roles in kinesin regulation, as well as α-synuclein’s impact on mitochondrial dynamics.
Publications emphasize axonal transport defects in neurodegenerative diseases, with a focus on therapeutic interventions targeting transport pathways. Collaborations involve nanoparticle development for drug delivery and exploring marine-derived compounds. The Gunawardena Lab actively investigates synaptic dysfunction in Huntington’s disease and mitochondrial roles in Parkinson’s pathology. No specific awards are listed, but her work has been funded by the BrightFocus Foundation and highlighted in media like NPR’s Academic Minute.
