Partha Chandra, PhD

Assistant Professor

Phone
504-988-3476
Office Address
Rm 3562
 
School or College 
School of Medicine
 
Department/Program
Pharmacology
Partha Chandra, PhD

Biography

Academic Training

  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1993)
  • Master of Science in Agricultural Chamistry: University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (1995)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Agricultural Chamistry: University of Calcutta, Calcutta, India (2003)
  • Senior Research Fellow, RCAIS, Calcutta, India (2000-2003)
  • Senior Research Fellow, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Calcutta, India (2003-2004)
  • Research Fellow, World Federation of Scientists, Switzerland; Host: ICMR, India (2005-2006)
  • Research Associate, ICMR-Virus Unit, Calcutta, India (2006-2007)
  • Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Pathology, Tulane School of Medicine. LA, USA (2008-2015)

Staff/Faculty Appointments

  • Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine. LA, USA (2024-present).
  • Research Scientist II, Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine. LA, USA (2015-2019).
  • Research Instructor (Non-Tenure Track): Department of Pharmacology, Tulane School of Medicine. LA, USA (2019-onward).

Research

Dr. Chandra’s research focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying pathophysiological alterations in the brain microvasculature (MVs), which comprises terminal arterioles, capillaries, and venules, in the context of sex differences, aging, and HIV infection. Cerebral small-vessel disease is a major contributor to cognitive impairment, highlighting the critical role of cerebral MVs in maintaining normal brain function. Aging represents an unavoidable biological stressor that progressively impairs brain microvascular function, adversely affecting neuronal health and increasing susceptibility to cognitive decline and dementia. In addition, pronounced sex disparities and the impact of HIV infection are evident in the prevalence and progression of several neurological disorders/diseases.

Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) are released and taken up by nearly all cell types and serve as important mediators of intercellular communication. Their cargo, including proteins, RNAs, and other bioactive molecules, can exert either beneficial or detrimental effects on recipient cells. Dr. Chandra’s research team investigates how distinct EV populations, including large EVs, small EVs (exosomes), and exomeres, contribute to pathophysiological alterations in cerebral MVs associated with aging, biological sex, and HIV infection, and how these changes may contribute to neuropathogenesis.
 

Area of Expertise

Virology
Aging
Extracellular vesicles
Brain microvasculature
Molecular Biology
 

Contributions