Ajay Nayak, PhD

Instructor

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Contact

1020 Locust Street
Jefferson Alumni Hall, Room 541
Philadelphia, PA 19107

Email Ajay Nayak

215-503-0141
215-503-5731 fax

Ajay Nayak, PhD

Instructor

Education

PhD, School of Medicine, West Virginia University - 2012
MSc, University of Mumbai - 2006
BSc, University of Mumbai - 2004

Publications

University Appointment

Instructor
Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy & Critical Care Medicine

Professional Societies

American Thoracic Society
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

Research & Clinical Interests

The major focus of my research is to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to allergic responses to Cannabis sativa (marijuana). Exposure to Cannabis components results in aberrant respiratory function including exacerbation of asthma. Furthermore, direct contact with the plant may also result in urticarial rash and angioedema. With increasing legalization of marijuana for medicinal and recreational use more individuals are likely to demonstrate allergic reactions in the near future. We are specifically interested in identifying the major allergens of marijuana and developing standardized tools for clinical diagnostics.

Additional research interests include GPCR signaling, regulation and function (in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo) in the context of lung disease, as well as the pathobiology and treatment of fibrotic lung disease.