Researcher Spotlight: Ashish Tripathi Post Doctoral Fellow – Endocrinology

What is your professional background?
I completed my Master’s in Genetics at Banaras Hindu University, India, followed by a PhD in Biological Sciences at Central Drug Research Institute (CSIR), India. During my doctoral research, I focused on advancing novel therapies for male osteoporosis. After that I relocated to Atlanta to undertake my postdoctoral research at the esteemed Emory University.

Which division do you work in? Who is your mentor?
Currently, I am a postdoctoral fellow in the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipids, where I feel incredibly fortunate to be mentored by Dr. M. Neale Weitzmann, PhD.

Briefly describe your research. Why is it important?
With the advent of anti-retroviral therapies (ART), people with HIV (PWH) are now living into old age but experiencing aging-related comorbidities such as osteoporosis and bone fracture, much earlier than the general population. Interestingly, ART itself induces profound bone loss but the cause of this bone loss is unclear. Work from our lab suggests that this bone loss is caused by inflammation associated with CD4 T cell regeneration. I am testing novel therapies to prevent bone loss and studying the mechanisms of T cell activation following ART, specifically the gut microbiome as a potential source of T cell activating antigens, underlying the bone loss in PWH.

What do you like most about Emory?
Emory University attracts individuals from diverse backgrounds and various parts of the globe due to its academic excellence. I enjoy the cultural diversity and the campus itself is renowned for its stunning beauty.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?
My favorite movies are Gladiator and The 300.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I love to play games online.

What is a fun fact about you?
I want my superpower to be the ability to read everybody’s mind.