Shivani  Ruparel, Ph.D.

My research program focuses on elucidating mechanisms for cancer cells and sensory neuron interactions in mediating pain as well as tumorigenesis. Specifically, our research investigates the contribution of oral cancer cells in regulating sensory nerve terminals at the site of tumor growth leading to cancer-induced pain and studying the mechanisms underlying this communication. Additionally, we are also exploring the involvement of sensory neurons in regulating oral tumor development and progression. 

Sub-Field of Study: head and neck cancer, pain

Diseases Associated: head and neck cancer

Specific Field of Study: neural-tumor interactions, oral tumorigenesis, peripheral mechanisms of pain

Techniques Used: Tissue Culture, RT-PCR, Immunohistochemistry, animal breeding, cell proliferation and survival assays, invasion and migration assays, ELISAs, Calcium Imaging, Animal behavior assays, tumor xenograft models, perineural invasion assays, dissections, and survival surgeries, extracellular single fiber electrophysiological recordings. Developed a novel technique to study tumor-nerve interactions comparing nerve activities between ex vivo preparation of mouse normal tongue and lingual nerve and mouse tumor-tongue and lingual nerve.

• Professional Background

  Education

  • 2015 - MS - Clinical Investigation - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2009 - PhD - Cellular and Structural Biology - University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
  • 2002 - MS - Microbiology - Bhavan`s College
  • 2000 - BS - Microbiology - Mumbai University

  Appointments

  • 1/2017 - Assistant Professor and Credentialed Mentoring and Assistant Professor and Credentialed Mentoring - UT Health San Antonio, Pharmacology and Physiology Track and Neuroscience Track, San Antonio
  • 4/2016 - Assistant Professor - Tenure Track - UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, Endodontics, San Antonio
  • 1/2016 - Director of Research - UT Health San Antonio, School of Dentistry, San Antonio

• Instruction & Training

  • 2017 - 2019 , Co-Advisor, Jacob Boyd (MD, PhD program, UTHSCA), UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2018 - Present, Dominic Arris (PhD program, UTHSCA), UT Health San Antonio
  • 1/2017 - Present, Ph.D. Dissertations Directed, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2019, MS Advisor, Jaclyn Merloe , UT Health San Antonio
  • 2014 - 2016, MS Co-Advisor, Leah Chodroff, MD (MSCI Program, UTHSCSA), UT Health San Antonio
  • 2020, Summer Student Victoria Kareh, First Year Dental School Student, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2019, Jack Guzman, High School Student, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2018 , Vanessa Ibarra, High School Student, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2016 - 2017, Sarah Hanna, Dental Student, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2015 and 2016, Lynn Xie, Dental Student, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2010 - 2015 , PhD Mentor, Dustin Green, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2011 - Present, PhD Mentor, Michael Eskander, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2013 - Present, PhD Mentor, Ashley Wallace, UT Health San Antonio
  • 2018 - Present, Mentor Post-Doctoral, Peter Lococo , UT Health San Antonio

• Research & Grants

  Grants

  1) R01 DE027223 from NIH/NIDCR                                       Ruparel (PI)                                  08/17-07/22

  Title: Role of Peripheral BDNF Signaling in Oral Cancer Pain

  The purpose of this grant is to elucidate the peripheral role of BDNF in oral cancer pain.

  Role: PI

  Overlap: No overlap

   

  2) R01 DE029187 from NIH/NIDCR     (multi-PI: Akopian, Ruparel and Tumanov)                 10/19-09/24

  Title: LIGHT and Lymphotoxin targeting for the treatment of chronic orofacial pain conditions

  The proposed research major goal is to advance our understanding of mechanisms regulating the development and maintenance of orofacial pain; and offers targets and an immunotherapeutic approach for preventing and blocking chronic pain during TMJD and oral cancer.

  Role: MPI

  Overlap: No overlap

   

  3) R01 DE029187 01S1 from NIH/NIDCR  ( Multi PI: Akopian and Ruparel)                               08/20-07/21

  Title: LIGHT/Lymphotoxin-beta Signaling and orofacial Pain-induced sensory neuronal plasticity in non-human primates.

  The funding support is an administrative supplement to the R01 DE29817 and proposes to validate the novel targets in non-human primates.

  Role: MPI

  Overlap: no overlap.

   

  4) R01 DE029187 01S3 from NIH/NIDCR  ( Multi PI: Ruparel)                                                      01/21-07/22

  Title: Elucidating Peripheral Mechanisms of LIGHT/LTBR Signaling in Oral Cancer Pain Using Preclinical and Clinical Samples.

  The funding support is an administrative supplement to the R01 DE29817 to promote and train under-represented trainees in oral, dental and craniofacial research.

  Role: PI

  Overlap: no overlap.

   

  4)Dental School Pilot Award from UTHSCSA                  Ruparel(PI)                                        09/20-08/21

  Title: Role of Peripheral Sensory Neurons in Controlling Oral Tumorigenesis.

  The purpose of this grant is to determine mechanisms by which the peripheral sensory nervous systems control oral tumor growth and progression.

  Role: PI.

  Overlap: No Overlap.

• Publications

  • Link to Dr. Shivani Ruparel' s Publications