Shyam Sunder Tummanapalli

Dr. Shyam Sunder Tummanapalli is a Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the University of New South Wales specializing in ocular surface biomarkers for neurological disorders. His research focuses on tear-based biomarkers as non-invasive diagnostic tools that enable serial monitoring of disease progression and treatment efficacy.

His primary research areas include:

• Ocular surface biomarkers
• Neurological disorders
• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy
• Tear-based biomarkers
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Migraine

Dr. Tummanapalli's groundbreaking PhD work demonstrated that substance P concentrations in tears of type 1 diabetes patients serve as non-invasive biomarkers for peripheral nerve damage, potentially preventing foot ulcers and amputations. His current projects investigate ocular surface changes in diabetes-associated dry eyes, inflammation markers in Multiple Sclerosis patients, and migraine-related biomarkers.

Notable scientific recognition includes:

• Dean's Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis (2020)
• Best photo award for 'Whirlpool in the eye' confocal imaging (2017)
• Multiple Best Poster Awards at international vision science conferences
• All-India Cooper Vision quiz championship (2014)

His research has been supported by significant grants including the Diabetes Research Grant from Elizabeth O'Beirne and Robert and Emmy Mather Trust Fund (2021), UNSW Science PhD Writing Scholarship (2019), and multiple international travel grants. With 27 journal articles and numerous conference presentations, his work bridges ophthalmology and neurology through innovative biomarker research.