Vivek K Pandey, PhD

  • Scientist III

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About Vivek K Pandey, PhD

I am a Scientist in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Kentucky, with expertise in translational neuro-metabolic research. My research focuses on autonomic dysfunction following spinal cord injury, with particular emphasis on how co-existing diabetes modifies neural and metabolic outcomes, using both human clinical studies and mechanistic rodent models. I am involved in clinically focused research on Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), a group of motor neurodegenerative disorders, contributing to efforts aimed at improving understanding of disease mechanisms and functional outcomes. Previously at the University of Kentucky, I examined the impact of diabetes on cardiac remodeling, neurodegeneration, and aging. I earned my Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from AcSIR (CSIR-IITR), with doctoral training in endoplasmic reticulum stress, metabolic disease, and molecular mechanisms of cell death, and I bring prior industry experience in preclinical biosimilar evaluation for anti-diabetic and anti-cancer therapeutics.

Research

Funded Grants (As PI/Co-I)

  1. Project title: Noninvasive Neuromodulation to Enhance Glucose Homeostasis in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury and Diabetes Role: Co-Investigator (PI- Dr. Rahul Sachdeva). Funded By: DRC-pilot and feasibility grants. Duration: April 2026 - March 2027
  2. Project title: Noninvasive Spinal Cord Neuromodulation to Enhance Motor Function in Individuals with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia. Role: Co-Investigator (PI- Dr. Rahul Sachdeva). Funded By: The Spastic Paraplegia Foundation. Duration: November 2025 -November 2027.
  3. Project title: Phlorizin, an apple ingredient, supplementation prevents diabetic heart failure. Role: Principal Investigator. Funded By: Saha Foundation Fund for the study of the Association of Food and Cardiovascular Health. Duration: 2025

 

Selected Publications

  1. Pandey VK, Law M, Shamatutu C, Martin KC, Taunk M, Gad P, Nightingale TE, Dymock ZR, Krassioukov AV, Sachdeva R. Spinal cord neuromodulation for autonomic recovery following spinal cord injury: a scoping review. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2026 Jun 12.
  2. Velmurugan S, Pandey VK, Verma N, Kotiya D, Despa F, Despa S. Cardiac remodelling, recognition memory deficits and accelerated ageing in a rat model of gestational diabetes. Diabetologia. 2025 Jul;68(7):1574-84.
  3. Pandey VK, Mathur A, Khan MF, Kakkar P. Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces degradation of glucose transporter proteins during hyperglycemic hepatotoxicity: Role of PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 axis. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2022 Jul 5;926:175012.
  4. Verma N, Srodulski S, Velmurugan S, Hoskins A, Pandey VK, Despa F, Despa S. Gestational diabetes triggers postpartum cardiac hypertrophy via activation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling. Scientific reports. 2021 Oct 22;11(1):20926.
  5. Pandey VK, Mathur A, Kakkar P. Emerging role of Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) mediated proteotoxic apoptosis in diabetes. Life sciences. 2019 Jan 1;216:246-58.

Selected Publications

  1. Pandey VK, Law M, Shamatutu C, Martin KC, Taunk M, Gad P, Nightingale TE, Dymock ZR, Krassioukov AV, Sachdeva R. Spinal cord neuromodulation for autonomic recovery following spinal cord injury: a scoping review. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. 2026 Jun 12.
  2. Velmurugan S, Pandey VK, Verma N, Kotiya D, Despa F, Despa S. Cardiac remodelling, recognition memory deficits and accelerated ageing in a rat model of gestational diabetes. Diabetologia. 2025 Jul;68(7):1574-84.
  3. Pandey VK, Mathur A, Khan MF, Kakkar P. Endoplasmic reticulum stress induces degradation of glucose transporter proteins during hyperglycemic hepatotoxicity: Role of PERK-eIF2α-ATF4 axis. European Journal of Pharmacology. 2022 Jul 5;926:175012.
  4. Verma N, Srodulski S, Velmurugan S, Hoskins A, Pandey VK, Despa F, Despa S. Gestational diabetes triggers postpartum cardiac hypertrophy via activation of calcineurin/NFAT signaling. Scientific reports. 2021 Oct 22;11(1):20926.
  5. Pandey VK, Mathur A, Kakkar P. Emerging role of Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) mediated proteotoxic apoptosis in diabetes. Life sciences. 2019 Jan 1;216:246-58.

Education

Ph.D. (Biological Sciences)