Shivashankar Othy

Shivashankar Othy is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. His research focuses on neuro-immune interactions, particularly the effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors on cognitive function and neuroinflammation. He investigates mechanisms underlying immune-related adverse effects (IREA) in the central nervous system (CNS) and their implications for cancer therapy. His work also explores macrophage biology in muscle fibrosis and the role of potassium channels in pain and inflammation.

• Research interests: Immunology, Neuroimmunology, Oncology, Muscular Dystrophy, and Pain Management.
• Key projects include studying microglial activation in neurodegeneration and developing therapeutic strategies targeting immune homeostasis.

His findings highlight the importance of microglial regulation in mitigating CNS IREAs and the dual analgesic/anti-inflammatory potential of botanical extracts.