Department of Biomedical Sciences
Postdoctoral Associate AC
Dr. Abarna Murugan is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences studying Alzheimer’s disease, neurovascular biology, and brainstem noradrenergic neurons using translational neuroscience approaches.
Education
- BVSc & AH, Madras Veterinary College, TamilNadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, 2021
- Ph.D., University of Georgia, 2025
Teaching
- Small Animal Anatomy
- Comparative Large Animal Anatomy
- Integumentary & Musculoskeletal Systems I – The Healthy Animal
- Nerve Sensing & Behavior I
- Gastrointestinal System I
- Endocrine & Reproductive Systems I – The Healthy Animal
- Urinary System
Research Interest
Dr. Murugan’s research focuses on understanding the early mechanisms underlying selective neuronal vulnerability in Alzheimer’s disease, with an emphasis on brainstem noradrenergic nuclei and neurovascular dysfunction.
She helps investigate how vascular alterations, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation contribute to disease initiation and progression while developing innovative strategies for early diagnosis. She also integrates advanced neuroimaging, immunofluorescence, quantitative neurochemistry, and translational animal models to identify biomarkers and mechanisms that precede cognitive decline.
