Meet Dr. Pratyusha Chitturi, the College of Dentistry’s first PhD Graduate in Precision Oral and Systemic Health

Dr. Chitturi's accomplishment not only highlights her remarkable academic journey but also paves the way for innovative research bridging oral health and systemic diseases.

"Graduating the first-ever PhD from this new graduate program is a significant achievement for our college,” states Dr. Walter Siqueira, Dean of the College of Dentistry.  “This milestone not only reflects the hard work and dedication of our inaugural PhD graduate but also from his supervisor and  sets a precedent for future scholars who will continue to push the boundaries of oral health research," Siqueira added.

"I wanted to contribute meaningfully to healthcare, blending my foundational values of responsibility to society with innovative research." ~ Dr. Pratyusha Chitturi 

A Strong Foundation in Science and Curiosity for Research

Dr. Chitturi’s academic path began with a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University (JNTU), Hyderabad, India and a master's in pharmacology from Manipal College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Manipal University, India. During her master’s program, she undertook a transformative research project at Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, a leading pharmaceutical company in India. This experience ignited her passion for research and equipped her with technical expertise, particularly in chronic, progressive autoimmune connective tissue disease treatments.

Armed with a deep desire to delve further into scientific exploration, she discovered the Precision Oral and Systemic Health PhD program at the College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, which provided a unique platform to enabling a multidisciplinary approach to her research.

"The scientific questions addressed at the College of Dentistry, especially by Dr Andrew Leask, who is an internationally recognized fibrosis expert, resonated deeply with my aspirations," Dr. Chitturi shared.

Dr Andrew Leask, Dr. Chitturi’s supervisor stated, “Pratyusha’s work was groundbreaking in that she introduced a new technology, single cell RNA sequencing, that allows us to look at specific alterations in gene expression in single cells and how these alterations affect the function of adjacent cells and tissues. Her work also helped lay the conceptual foundation for work in our laboratory aimed at advancing an anti-fibrotic drug to the clinic. We hope that this drug could be widely used to treat diseases with a fibrotic component that not only include scleroderma, but also lung fibrosis, diabetes, and cancer metastasis.”

Advice for Future Researchers

For students aspiring to enter academic research, especially in oral health, Dr. Chitturi emphasizes the importance of curiosity and multidisciplinary collaboration. "Time management, perseverance, and thinking outside the box are crucial," she advised. "Celebrate small milestones, stay focused on long-term goals, and remember that impactful discoveries often come from the relentless pursuit of knowledge.”

Like any pioneering researcher, Dr. Chitturi faced challenges, particularly in adapting to novel, multimodal techniques that required a steep learning curve. Yet, her perseverance and adaptability yielded breakthroughs that have the potential to reshape treatment strategies for fibrotic disorders.

“This experience underscored the importance of resilience and stepping outside traditional frameworks to achieve meaningful scientific progress,” Dr. Chitturi reflected.

She added that her research journey would not have been possible without the immense support and opportunities provided by her supervisor Dr. Andrew Leask. “I am glad that we were able to publish our work in Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, the top research journal in the field.” said Dr. Chitturi.

As the first PhD graduate in Precision Oral and Systemic Health, Dr. Pratyusha Chitturi has set a precedent for excellence and innovation in a burgeoning field. Her journey shows the power of multidisciplinary research and its potential to transform lives.

"Oral health is inherently connected to systemic health," she noted. "This field offers immense potential for discoveries that can revolutionize patient care."