1999-2003, Ph.D., Biochemistry, University of Madras, Chennai, India 1997-1999, M.Sc., Biochemistry, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India 1994-1997, B.Sc., Biochemistry, University of Madras, Chennai, India

The research laboratory of Dr. Venkatachalem, studies human lung diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension. The incidence and severity of asthma is higher in both pre-menopausal women and in aging men, suggesting a role for female sex steroids (estrogen) in modulating this disease. However, it is not clear whether and how estrogens impact the airway. Furthermore, women may be biologically more susceptible to cigarette smoke exposure than men when it comes to incidence of and complications from smoking-related airway diseases. Our studies using human airway smooth muscles from both male and female asthmatics vs. non-asthmatics, smokers vs. Non-smokers along with animal studies where we control sex steroids levels or their signaling, will substantially enhance our understanding of how and why estrogens influence the asthmatic airway.