Drexel University · Microbiology & ImmunologyKortagere Lab
Sandhya Kortagere · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Research Focus
Dr. Sandhya Kortagere's lab at Drexel University focuses on developing new therapies for epilepsy, a condition affecting millions worldwide. The lab aims to create a novel drug that can help patients who do not respond to current treatments. By studying how a specific glutamate transporter works in the brain, the lab is working to improve seizure control and promote long-term brain health.
epilepsyglutamate transporterdrug developmentneuroprotectionseizure reductiongenetic epilepsyEAAT2animal modelstherapeuticsclinical trials
Research Aims
5AIM 01Design glutamate transporter activators to improve seizure control.
AIM 02Investigate the neuroprotective effects of EAAT2 upregulation.
AIM 03Optimize lead compounds for treating drug-resistant epilepsy.
AIM 04Develop clinical candidates for first-in-human trials.
AIM 05Understand the structure-activity relationship of EAAT2 activators.
Skills the Lab Values
structure-based designpharmacological screeningin vivo studiesanimal model experimentationdrug delivery techniquesbiological assaysanalysis of neurotransmitter activityoral bioavailability assessmentgenetic analysispharmaceutical chemistry
Output against the department
Publications109bottom 40% of dept.290th of 486
this lab
most publishedleast published
Citations3.7kbottom 27% of dept.353rd of 486
this lab
most citedleast cited
Career totals from OpenAlex, compared against labs that share a department. A department spans everything from one paper to tens of thousands, so bar heights are on a log scale — otherwise the largest lab would flatten every other bar to a line.