Dr. Abhishek Jauhari’s research focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive neurodegenerative diseases, with particular emphasis on mitochondrial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and microglial activation. His work seeks to uncover how disruptions in cellular homeostasis and neuroimmune signaling contribute to neuronal damage and disease progression, particularly in Huntington’s disease and aging-related neurodegeneration.
His research integrates molecular biology, cell biology, and systems-level approaches to investigate how mitochondrial impairment, altered bioenergetics, and inflammatory responses influence neuronal survival. He uses RNA-based and epitranscriptomic approaches as tools to study gene regulatory mechanisms that control mitochondrial function, cellular stress responses, and neuron-glial interactions.
By combining cellular and animal models, cellular disease systems, and mechanistic studies, his work aims to identify key pathways that can be targeted therapeutically. The long-term goal of his research is to advance understanding of neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and develop strategies to improve treatment for disorders affecting the aging brain.
If you are interested in joining our research team, please contact Dr. Jauhari at abj33@pitt.edu.
Specialized Areas of Interest
Education & Training
- PhD, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, India, 2016
- Post-doctoral training, University of Pittsburgh, 2016-2021
Honors & Awards
- Walter L. Copeland Award (2023–2024): Metformin regulates microglial activation in Huntington’s Disease, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Walter L. Copeland Award (2021–2022): Melatonin regulates mitochondrial impairments and bioenergetics reprogramming in neurons, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Walter L. Copeland Award (2019–2020): Melatonin regulates mtDNA-mediated inflammation in Huntington’s Disease, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Walter L. Copeland Award (2018–2019): Melatonin regulates inflammatory responses and synaptic degeneration in neurons, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Walter L. Copeland Award (2017–2018): Impact of mitochondrial DNA damage on synaptic pruning/degeneration during development and pathogenesis of Huntington’s Disease, University of Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Senior Research Fellowship (2013–2016), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India
- Junior Research Fellowship (2011–2013), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India
- International Travel Award, International Society of Neurochemistry
- CSIR-UGC JRF/NET, India
- GATE in Biotechnology, India