Biography
Dr. Vedam-Mai is an Assistant Professor at the Dept. of Neurosurgery and the Fixel Institute at the University of Florida. She received her PhD from the University of Georgia, and received her BS and MS degrees from Bangalore University in India. Research in her lab focuses on comprehending mechanisms of neuronal demise in neurodegenerative diseases in order to improve therapeutic strategies for their treatment. Specifically, there are three main thrust areas to her work: 1) Studying the effect of chronic electrical stimulation [such as Deep Brain Stimulation, DBS] on the neurogenic niches of the brain, and comprehending the cellular-molecular processes affected via this surgical procedure. 2) To develop a novel immunomodulatory platform for the treatment of PD and to identify the role of the peripheral immune system in the efficacy of this therapeutic platform [in a preclinical model]. 3) Understanding the brain “metabolome” in aging and disease.
When she is not working, she enjoys dancing and singing, and performs routinely at various cultural events. She also enjoys spending time with her family playing tennis, traveling, cooking with them.