Understanding Circuit and Neuroimmune Mechanisms of Neurological Dysfunction in Brain Injury and Epilepsy
The Santhakumar Lab is dedicated to uncovering cellular, circuit, and immune mechanisms underlying neurological consequences of epilepsy and traumatic brain injury. Our research spans two pivotal areas: first, identifying how inhibitory circuit development and cell-type-specific neurophysiology shape the emergence of epilepsy and related cognitive comorbidities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders; and second, investigating how canonical and novel innate immune signaling pathways, in neurons, glia, and the adult neurogenic niche, regulate both healthy brain function and neuropathology in the injured brain. To decode the fundamental processes of brain dysfunction, we utilize a multidisciplinary toolkit that integrates high-resolution optogenetics, electrophysiology, and molecular histology. By bridging in vivo and ex vivo rodent models with human brain organoids and computational modeling, we transition from basic discovery to identifying translational therapeutic targets to prevent the long-term symptoms and debilitating comorbidities associated with epilepsy and brain injury. The lab provides a vibrant multidisciplinary training environment.
**We are looking for motivated graduate students to join our group**
News and Updates
06/2026 Subramanian et al study on Neuroimmune signaling in TBI published in Journal of Neuroinflammation
05/2026: Ysabelle receives UCR Chancellor Research Fellowship! Congratulations Ysabelle!
05/2026 Dovek et al study on Semilunar Granule Cells in Epilepsy published in Neurobiology of Disease
12/2025: Mahboubeh (Sarah) recieved a CURE Taking Flight Award. Congrats Sarah!
08/2025 Dovek et al study on Semilunar Granule Cells in memory published in eLife
07/2025: Marin received RISE/BRIDGE Research Internship! Congratulations Marin!
07/2025: Francisco recieved a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship from the American Epilepsy Society. Congrats Francisco!
12/2024 Subramanian et al study on Autism-Epilspy published in Molecular Psychiatry
07/2024. Viji and Devin Binder receive a 5-year NIH R01 award to study posttraumatic epilepsy.
07/2024: Viji has been awarded the prestigious 7-year R37 Javits Neuroscience Investigator Award by NIH-NINDS.
02/2024: Laura successfully defended her PhD thesis! Congratulations Laura!
01/2024: Susan successfully defended her PhD thesis! Congratulations Susan!
12/2023: Proddutur et al published in Progress in Neurobiology.
10/2023: Corrubia et al published in Experimental Neurology.
08/2023: Andrew received Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31). Congratulations Andrew!
07/2023: Emmanuel received RISE/BRIDGE Research Internship! Congratulations Emmanuel!
10/2022: Razieh received CIRM Transcend Fellowship. Congratulations Razieh!
07/2022: Andrew received American Epilepsy Society (AES) Predoctoral Fellowship. Congratulations Andrew!
05/2022: Lucas successfully defended his PhD thesis. Congratulations Lucas!
03/2022: Gupta et al published in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
02/2022: Afrasiabi et al published in The Journal of Neuroscience.
10/2021: Eisenberg et al published in Translational Psychiatry.
07/2021: Laura received the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31). Congratulations Laura!
07/2021: Susan received the Ruth L. Kirschstein Predoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F31). Congratulations Susan!
03/2019: Lucas received NJCBIR fellowship. Congratulations Lucas!
07/2021: Deepak received a 3-year Idea Development Award (Epilepsy Research Program) from Department of Defense. Congratulations Deepak!
04/2021: Laura received American Epilepsy Society (AES) Predoctoral Fellowship. Congratulations Laura!
04/2021: Funding for our Trauma project (R01 NS097750) has been renewed for 5 years.
01/2021: Aayma Irfan received UCR Honors Excellence in Research Scholarship. Congratulations Aayma!
10/2020: Gupta et al published in Brain Structure and Function
Ernesto Gonzales received 2020 RISE Summer Fellowship. Congratulations Ernesto!
Fareed Rehman received UCR Honors Excellence Scholarship. Congratulations Fareed!
Susan received American Epilepsy Society (AES) Predoctoral Fellowship. Congratulations Susan!
02/2020: Korgaonkar et al published in Annals of Neurology
12/2019: Milad successfully defended his PhD thesis. Congratulations Milad!
11/2019: Archana received Mightex travel Award for her SFN 2019 poster. Congratulations Archana!
09/2019: Lucas received NRSA award. Congratulations Lucas!
08/2019: Archana received AES Young Investigator Award. Congratulations Archana!
04/2019: Susan received UCR Graduate Division’s Dissertation Year Fellowship awards (DYP/GRMP) for the 19-20 Academic year. Congratulations Susan!