NRI gets AAPS fellowship

• Highest achievement in pharma field in globe
• Dr Samba Reddy hails from Cherlapalli in Warangal dist

Warangal: An NRI, Dr Doodipala Samba Reddy, hailing from Warangal district, has been awarded fellowship of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).

The honour is a prestigious lifetime recognition and highest professional achievement in pharma field across the globe. Dr Reddy is professor of neurosciences and experimental therapeutics at Texas A&M University College of Medicine, US.

The award was presented by AAPS president Dr Marilyn Morris at the 2014 AAPS annual meeting and exposition held recently in San Diego, US. The AAPS recognises outstanding researchers with a fellow designation.

Dr Reddy (44), an expert in neurotherapeutics, hails from Cherlapalli village, where he pursued school education and completed BPharmacy at Kakatiya University, winning six gold medals.

He joined Texas A&M University as faculty in 2008. He was previously recognised by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), US, as a research fellow for 2000.

He invented neurosteroid-replacement therapy, helped in developing epilepsy drug ganaxolone, and developed a tonic therapy for persistent seizures. He evolved new tonic inhibition mechanisms in the brain which had a profound impact in the pharma field. Dr Reddy is identifying life-saving antidotes for chemical poisonings. His work is centered on finding better medications for brain disorders like epilepsy, brain injury, and chemical neurotoxicity.

He has set up an emergency fund with $ 60,000 US dollars to support Telugu families who suffered accidents or died. With the help of Foundation, he supports Kakatiya University and provides scholarships to Intermediate students here.