When
Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12:00 p.m.
Drachman A114 | Zoom | Host: Swarna Ganesh
Prem Govindappa
Assistant Professor, Orthopedic Surgery, College of Medicine – Tucson
University of Arizona
"Drug Repurposing for Regenerating Skin, Peripheral Nerve and Bone after Trauma"
Abstract: Drug repurposing is the process of identifying new therapeutic uses for already approved drugs in different trauma settings. This approach offers a faster, more cost-effective, and less risky pathway for conducting clinical trials. 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and erythropoietin (EPO) are FDA-approved drugs used for multiple sclerosis and anemia, respectively. Our research has shown that these drugs can promote regenerative and functional improvements in either the skin, peripheral nerves, or bone following trauma. Our repurposing efforts have successfully led to multiple clinical trials, where we are exploring the mechanisms behind these effects.
Bio: Govindappa is an assistant professor in orthopedic surgery at the College of Medicine, University of Arizona. He has completed two postdoctoral training programs at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Pennsylvania State University in Hershey. As an academic veterinarian, he also holds a position at the College of Veterinary Medicine, where he teaches applied clinical pharmacology to doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) students. His research focuses on musculoskeletal translational science and regenerative medicine, having created reliable and reproducible preclinical animal surgical models. Dr. Govindappa, in collaboration with his mentor, Dr. John Elfar, the department chair, is repurposing FDA-approved drugs such as 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) and erythropoietin (EPO) to treat skin, peripheral nerve and bone trauma conditions. His research has revealed novel cellular and molecular signaling pathways involved in the regeneration of these tissues. His inventions have led to multiple U.S. patents and advancements in clinical trials, which are supported by extramural funding. These discoveries hold promise for alleviating suffering in both humans and animals affected by musculoskeletal disorders.
Craig Weinkauf
Associate Professor of Surgery
University of Arizona
"Multimodal In-vivo Imaging to Study Cerebrovascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Risk"
Abstract: The Weinkauf lab broadly studies how both large and small vessel cerebrovascular disease contributes to cognitive impairment and dementia risk. Cardiac angina and lower extremity claudication represent demand ischemia where the body provides feedback (pain) to communicate inadequate oxygen to meet demand; the brain has no pain fibers and thus understanding what is adequate blood supply for the brain to maintain normal or strenuous function is less clear. Our current observational study recruiting 240+ participants with vascular risk factors with and without carotid artery stenosis enables us to directly test whether carotid artery stenosis is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia risk and more broadly explore cerebrovascular contributions to brain homeostasis/health. We use transcranial doppler, extensive MR imaging strategies, blood biomarker evaluation, neurocognitive testing and other in vivo vascular testing in these pursuits.
Biography: Craig Weinkauf is an associate professor of surgery. He is a practicing vascular surgeon with an MD/PhD in immunology with roughly 50/50 effort division between research and clinical duties. His lab broadly studies cerebrovascular contributions to brain health, with a primary focus of how carotid atherosclerosis contributes to cognitive impairment and dementia risk. He collaborates with several BME faculty and co-mentors BME undergraduate and graduate students.
Accessibility: Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation by contacting the Disability Resource Center at 621-3268 (V/TTY).