This profile is part of a series to highlight the researchers and leaders who will be honored at a ceremony on Nov. 6 for UNMC’s annual research awards – the prestigious Scientist Laureate Award and the Research Leadership, Distinguished Scientist, New Investigator, Career Achievement and Community Service to Research Awards.
Distinguished Scientist
Distinguished Scientist Awards, which are sponsored by the chancellor, recognize researchers who have been among the most productive scientists at UNMC during the past five years.
- Name: Palsamy Periyasamy, PhD
- Title: Associate professor, Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, UNMC College of Medicine
- Joined UNMC: 2010
- Hometown: Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, India
Describe your research focus in three words or less:
Epigenetics of neuroHIV and drug abuse
Why is research important in the world today?
Research is essential for advancing our knowledge, improving health and addressing global challenges. It transforms ideas into innovations that save lives, reduces disease burden and shapes evidence-based policies. In the area of emerging infections, substance misuse, brain disorders and epigenetic influences, research provides tools to uncover underlying mechanisms and develop effective interventions that enhance quality of life for individuals and communities.
My research will make a difference because:
My research focuses on understanding how HIV and drugs of abuse drive neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration through pathways involving inflammasomes, epigenetic regulation and cell death mechanisms. By identifying how these processes disrupt brain health, I aim to uncover novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. This work not only advances knowledge of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders but also provides broader insights into how epigenetic changes influence brain disease. Ultimately, my research seeks to translate these discoveries into strategies that reduce the burden of neurocognitive impairment and improve quality of life.
The best advice I’ve ever received is:
Stay curious, work honestly and let hard work and humility guide success – always give due credit and value the people who supported you.
Three things you may not know about me are:
- I write Tamil poetry and volunteer teaching Tamil to students.
- I enjoy spending time and playing with kids and friends.
- I am passionate about mentoring students from diverse backgrounds to help them succeed.
Congratulations Palsamy!
Heartiest congratulations on your remarkable achievement. Your success comes as no surprise even during our college days, you demonstrated exceptional focus, determination, and clarity of purpose. I have always admired your dedication and passion for your goals. Wishing you continued success and the very best in all your future endeavors
Congratulations for your distinguished contributions to epigenetics research in neuroHIV and drug abuse. Your dedication and scientific excellence bring great pride to UNMC
Really proud of you my dear friend ! From our Ariyalur school days (3rd–12th) to where you are now — what an amazing journey! you’ve come this far through your hard work and dedication. Truly inspiring us! 👏🔥
Super sir, my Heartiest congratulations.
I am very happy to see this message.
Congratulations.
I am really proud of you.
My heartiest wish you to get more and more awards in future.
I am very happy to see this message.
Congratulations.
I am really proud of you.
My heartiest wish you to get more and more awards in future.
Dr. Palsamy, hearty congratulations. Your achievement in the field of science will one day help humankind for a better and prosperous life. These achievements are from dedication, commitment and sincerity. You bring pride to your institution. Proude to be your teacher.
Heartiest congratulations dear Palsamy for your remarkable achievement.I am really proud of you.
Congrats Palsamy
Great and proud to see you receiving this prestigious award.
May this award be a testament to your passion for research and its potential to shape the future. Congrats
Incredible Journey and very Impressive accomplishments.
Congratulations Dr. Periyasamy.
Congratulation Palsamy!
Congratulation Palsamy for this great acheivement!
I am very happy to see this message.
Congratulations sir.
I am really proud of you.
My heartiest wish you to get more and more awards in future.
From Theni
2004 to 2006 Batch in MRC college (Bio chemistry)
Congratulations Pals!!! Well deserved for your remarkable dedication and passion for science!!!! Best wishes for your ongoing and future research work!!
Congratulations! What an incredible recognition that is very well deserved. Certainly the best PI I have had the honor of working with!
Congrats. Your findings will surely advance knowledge in your field.”
Congratulations Dr Pals on your outstanding accomplishment! It brings me immense joy to see your hard work and vision recognized. Your guidance and mentorship have always inspired me to strive for excellence. Wishing you many more milestones ahead and continued success in all your pursuits.
Congratulations Pal!
Super sir.
So proud to see you finally recognized! You have always been the unsung hero of UNMC – brilliant, humble, and deeply dedicated. This honor is so well-deserved! Congratulations! 👏👏👏
Wow congrats ! No better feeling for a mentor then to see a mentee succeed and make a mark in the field 👏👍🏽 you truly are a role model to so many in the lab. Seeing you grow has been extremely gratifying 🥰 I wish you more successes and honors and keep mentoring the next gen – remember best is yet to come!! I look forward to the next award !
Wow super Anna 😎your humility, passion, hardwork and kindness to help will keep getting you to great heights and success .. so happy to see this post Anna.. many many congratulations 👏
🎓
Heartiest congratulations, Dr. Palsamy Periyasamy, on being honored as a Distinguished Scientist!🌟
A well-deserved recognition for the journey from Ariyalur to UNMC is truly inspiring. Your success reflects your relentless pursuit of knowledge,compassion for others, and deep-rooted values. So proud to see a rural scholar making a global impact!💫 a testament to your brilliance, humility, and dedication to science.
🙌 What a terrible surprise Pal..that you still hold on to your tamil roots in an era when people cross border bahave themselves as native English.🙂. Humble Thanks🙏 to your parents for giving birth to a priceless product to science and humanity.🤝
Congratulations sir for this archivment
Congratulation Palsamy, this is great achievement
Very Happy and Congratulations for your contributions. Your love and contribution towards the language(Tamil) is incredible!
Congratulations Palsamy for the well deserved award.
Congrats Dr.Palsamy.
Nice. Other side – Tamil
Poetry and teach Tamil.
Wow.