SPOKANE, Wash. – Shobhan Gaddameedhi has been promoted from assistant professor to associate professor with tenure, effective July 1, 2020, at the WSU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Gaddameedhi’s research lab centers on how circadian clock disruption influences anti-cancer drug treatment efficacy, DNA repair, inflammation and environmental carcinogenesis. His most recent research, published in January, suggests that a good night’s sleep plays a significant role in reducing heart damage from radiation therapy. World renowned organizations including the NIH (National Institute of Health), the American Heart Association, Melanoma Research Alliance, and the Department of Defense have made significant contributions to fund Gaddameedhi’s research.
“Dr. Gaddameedhi has really contributed to the field of knowledge with regards to circadian clock disruption and its relation to certain cancers. Not only has he enlightened fellow students, colleagues and those working in similar fields, but he really shares his passion for his research and teaching with everyone around him. He is an extremely productive faculty member and a terrific colleague,” said Phil Lazarus, Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Since joining the college in September 2014, Gaddameedhi has received several recognitions and awards for his scholarship and teaching, including the Teacher of the Year Award in 2019 and 2017, Department of Defense Career Development Award, American Society for Photobiology New Investigator Award, and NIH Outstanding New Environmental Scientist Award for 2020-2024. He has also published 12 peer-reviewed research papers since joining WSU.
Gaddameedhi’s future research interests include how maintaining a healthy sleep cycle and biological clock mitigates genome instability due to environmental factors and the impact on skin diseases including skin cancer. He hopes to translate those scientific findings into ways to prevent skin-related disorders in humans.