Ashok K. Shetty

Ashok K. Shetty
Born
India
EducationPhD, Neuroscience, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
Scientific career
WorkplacesTexas A&M University College of Medicine
Duke University

Ashok K. Shetty is an Indian-born American neuroscientist. He is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics and associate director at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine at Texas A&M University.

Early life and education

Shetty was born in India.[1] He earned his PhD in Neuroscience from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi before moving to the United States to complete postdoctoral research at Duke University.[2]

Career

Shetty remained at Duke following his postdoctoral studies and became an assistant professor in their Division of Neurosurgery in 1995.[2] Following his promotion to full professor in 2004,[2] Shetty led a study which demonstrated two methods for developing new brain cells. His research team found that infusions of Fibroblast growth factor 2 led to an increase in brain cells, and the implanting of two types of brain-cell precursors could also lead to the production of new cells.[3] Shetty left Duke in 2011 to join Texas A&M University College of Medicine as a Professor and the Director of Neurosciences at the Institute for Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics.[2] In this new role, he oversaw a research team which discovered that grafting stem cells from one part of the brain into another can restore important cognitive functions and also trigger the growth of new neurons.[4]

While at Texas A&M, Shetty began to focus on improving brain function in conditions such as temporal lobe epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and Gulf War Illness.[5] He collaborated with Darwin Prockop to develop a nasal spray that would inject vesicles isolated from adult mesenchymal stem cell to limit damages caused by Status epilepticus.[6][7] The two later adapted this research into a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and sold the intellectual property license to Celltex Therapeutics Corporation.[8] In 2022, Shetty was awarded a grant from the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to identify a pharmaceutical treatment for traumatic brain injuries.[9] He also received a grant from the DoD to fund his research on veterans with Gulf War illness.[10]

Shetty was appointed a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Genetics in 2024.[11] While in this new role, he oversaw the development of a nasal spray that could improve the brain function of people with Alzheimer’s and slow down their rate of cognitive decline.[12] In recognition of his efforts, Shetty and Texas A&M were named a 2025 honoree of Fast Company's World Changing Ideas.[13][14]

References

  1. ↑ "Texas A&M University researcher joins activities at University". Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul. December 9, 2019. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ashok K. Shetty, PhD". Texas A&M University. July 15, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  3. ↑ "Studies reveal promising methods for regenerating brain cells" (PDF). United States Department of Veterans Affairs. 2007. p. 7. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  4. ↑ "Stem Cell Graft Restores Memory and Mood, Texas A&M University and Duke University Medical Center Study". BioSpace. September 5, 2012. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  5. ↑ Sumners, Christina (February 14, 2022). "Watson, Shetty honored with College of Medicine Research Excellence Award". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  6. ↑ Sumners, Christina (April 10, 2017). "Preventing seizure-caused damage to the brain". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  7. ↑ Sumners, Christina (December 20, 2018). "Stem cell-derived neurons stop seizures, improve cognitive function". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  8. ↑ Sumners, Christina (February 6, 2018). "Texas A&M and Celltex enter agreement for Alzheimer's research". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  9. ↑ Konatham, Sunitha (December 20, 2022). "Texas A&M researcher awarded DOD grant to develop drug for brain injuries". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  10. ↑ Blackwell, Gracie (December 10, 2020). "Shetty awarded Department of Defense grant for new research on Veterans with Gulf War illness". Texas A&M University Vital Record. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  11. ↑ "2024 University Distinguished Professors". Texas A&M University. February 1, 2024. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Nasal Spray Made From Stem Cell-Derived Vesicles Could Treat Alzheimer's Disease". Texas A&M University. November 7, 2024. Archived from the original on August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  13. ↑ DeFily, Abby (June 18, 2025). "Texas A&M Research Offers Hope For Patients Facing Alzheimer's". Texas A&M University. Archived from the original on August 19, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
  14. ↑ "Texas A&M Recognized By Fast Company's 'World Changing Ideas' For Alzheimer's Disease Breakthrough". Texas A&M University. June 10, 2025. Retrieved August 28, 2025.
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