REKHA YESUDAS, PHD 
Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Courses

• Medical Pharmacology
• Neuroscience

Research

Dr. Yesudas’s research interest includes Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Parasitology. 

Cardiovascular Pharmacology

Study the relationship between hypertension and hyperlipidemia: 
Mechanisms of Angiotensin Type-1 receptor (AT1R) and Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) regulation; with an additional emphasis on Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin type 9 (PCSK9).

Antiparasitic Pharmacology

Therapeutic Model- Stomach fluke tegument as a model for blood fluke drug discovery: Dr. Yesudas’ research presents a parasite archetype, the stomach fluke of the genus Dinurus, as a model system for blood fluke (schistosomes) drug targets.

Awards

• The Savitha Arya Legacy of Teaching Award 2026: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Outstanding Faculty of the Year Award 2025: Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Faculty Excellence Award Nomination (John F. Mead Award): 2011.
  Amarillo College Anatomy and Physiology Students’ nomination.
• Apple Award for Teaching Excellence Nomination: 2010.
  Amarillo College Anatomy and Physiology Students’ Nomination.
• Cell and Molecular Physiology Section Research Recognition Award: 2009.
  The American Physiological Society.
• Research Day Best Research Presentation Award- First Place: 2008.
  Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Pharmacy, TX, USA.
• Identification of a new parasite: Dinurus ivanosi.
  Parasitology Research (2004) 92: 380-383.
• Senior Research Fellowship: 2003.
  Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India.
• Junior Research Fellowship: 2001.
  CSIR, New Delhi, India.
• National Eligibility Test for Lectureship: 2000.
  University Grants Commission, Government of India.

Publications and Abstracts

Publications

1. Rekha Yesudas, Wesley Ryle (2022). Worms With Armor: tegumental adaptations of stomach fluke, Dinurus sp. (Trematoda: Hemiuridae)—ultrastructural characteristics. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal. L7658. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.L7658
2. Rekha Yesudas, Bruce Young (2020): Impact of nematode on the gastric mucosa of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The Journal of Advances in Parasitology. 7(2):7-13. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.03564
3. Rekha R. Yesudas (2020). Life Untold - I - Valley of the Vessels. Animation Movie Script. U.S. Copyright registration number: PAu 4-033-409. Story of human blood cells during the fight of an infection. Nomination 2021 Screenplay Competition.
4. Freda Tei, Steven Kowalyk, Jhenelle Reid, Mathew Presta, Rekha Yesudas, Ghislaine Mayer (2016). The Assessment and Molecular Characterization of Human Intestinal Parasites in Bivalves from Orchard Beach, NY, USA. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 13(4): 381. doi: 10.3390/ijerph13040381.
5. Rekha Yesudas, Upendra Gumaste, Russell Snyder, Thomas Thekkumkara. (2012). Tannic Acid Down- Regulates the Angiotensin type 1 receptor through a MAP Kinase dependent mechanism. Molecular Endocrinology. Vol. 26 no. 3: 458-470. doi: 10.1210/me.2011-1224. Epub 2012 Feb 9.
6. Rekha Yesudas, Russell Snyder, Thomas Abbruscato, Thomas Thekkumkara (2012). Functional role of Sodium glucose transporters in high glucose-mediated downregulation of human Angiotensin type-1 receptors. American Journal of Physiology: Renal Physiology. 303 (5): F766-74. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00651.2011.
7. Pillai V. C., Rekha Yesudas, Shaik, I. H., Thekkumkara T. J., Bickel U, Srivenugopal K. S. and Mehvar R. (2010) Delivery of NADPH-cytochrome P450 Reductase Antisense Oligos Using Avidin-Biotin Approach. Bioconjugate Chemistry. 21(2), 203-207. doi: 10.1021/bc900449b.
8. Rekha R. Yesudas (2005). Studies on Dinurus (Trematoda: Hemiuridae) with emphasis on Dinurus hippuri: parasitic in dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus. Ph.D. thesis. University of Kerala, India.
9. Rekha R. Yesudas & John M. V. (2004). Dinurus ivanosi sp. nov. (Digenea: Hemiuridae) from the stomach of dolphinfish Coryphaena hippurus caught off the Kerala coast, India. Parasitology Research. 92(5): 380-83. doi: 10.1007/s00436-003-1064-6. Epub 2004 Jan 27.
10. Rekha R. Yesudas & Sreekumar S. (2004). Morphology of the integumentary structures in the nymph of lace bug, Stephanitis typica (Hemiptera: Tingidae). Journal of Electron Microscopy. 53(1):57-61. doi: 10.1093/jmicro/53.1.57.
11. Rekha R. Yesudas. & John M. V. (2002). A report on the taxonomic status of Dinurus hippuri Nadakal et al., 1991 (Digenea: Hemiuridae), a stomach parasite in the food fish Coryphaena hippurus of Kerala Coast. Journal of Parasitic Diseases. 26(2): 114-115.
12. Ellen Cravens, Thomas Thekkumkara, Rekha Yesudas (2022). Downregulation of angiotensin type-1 receptor expression by ferulic acid in rat liver epithelial cells. The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal. R3650. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R3650.
13. Joshua Owolabi, Katresa Gardner, Rasheed Agboola, Rekha Yesudas, Jennifer Shaw (2025). Use of simulation for teaching biomedical sciences to undergraduate medical students: a scoping review. BMC Med Educ. 25:25(1):1259.

Abstracts

1. Ellen Cravens, Rekha Yesudas (2021). Ferulic acid specific inhibition of Angiotensin type-1 receptor expression. Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium, AT Still University College of Osteopathic Medicine, MO.
2. Nicole D. L., Yesudas R. (2014). Exotic dishes: Biological dangers in consuming raw seafood. Jasper Summer Research Seminar, Manhattan College.
3. Pillai V.C., Yesudas R., Shaik I., Thekkumkara T. & Mehvar R. (2009). Delivery of Cytochrome P450 Reductase Antisense Oligos Using Avidin-Biotin Technology. American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. November 8-12.
4. Yesudas R., Pillai V. C., Thekkumkara T., Mehvar R. (2009). siRNA-mediated silencing of Cytochrome P450 reductase gene in rat liver epithelial cells. American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Annual Meeting. Los Angeles, CA. November 8-12.
5. Rekha Yesudas, Prabath Biju, Thomas Thekkumkara (2009). Tannic acid specific inhibition of Angiotensin type 1 receptor in rat liver epithelial cells. Experimental Biology meeting. April 18-22. New Orleans, LA.
6. Rekha Yesudas, John M. V. (2008). Separate genital ducts in the sinus sac of Dinurus hippuri (Digenea: Hemiuridae). 83rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists. Arlington, TX. June 27-30.
7. John M. V., George P. V., Rekha Yesudas (2008). Hydatidosis in South India. 83rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Parasitologists. Arlington, TX. June 27-30.
8. Imam H. Shaik, Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Thekkumkara, Reza Mehvar (2008). In Vitro and In Vivo inhibition of rat NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Reductase by an antisense approach. 15th North American Regional ISSX Meeting. San Diego, CA. October 12-16.
9. Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Abbruscato, Thomas Thekkumkara. (2008). Sodium Glucose Transporter in High Glucose-mediated Angiotensin type I receptor down-regulation in Human Proximal tubule cells. Experimental Biology Meeting. April 4-9. San Diego, CA.
10. Rekha R. Y. & John M. V. (2003). On the four Dinurus species (Digenea: Hemiuridae) parasitic in the marine food fish, Coryphaena hippurus of Kerala coast. Proceedings of Kerala Science Congress. 15: 230-236.
11. Rekha R. Y. & John M. V. (2002). A report on the taxonomic status of Dinurus hippuri Nadakal et al., 1991 (Digenea: Hemiuridae), a stomach parasite in the food fish Coryphaena hippurus of Kerala Coast. Journal of Parasitic Diseases. 26(2): 114-115.
12. Rekha R. Y. & John M. V. (2002). Behavioral and physiological response of fish parasite Dinurus hippuri to its challenging microhabitat. All India symposium on wildlife & 27th conference of the Ethological Society of India. Pp.58-59.
13. Rekha R. Y. & John M. V. (2002). Self-regulation of pH in the microhabitat by Dinurus hippuri (Trematoda) - an in vitro model. Proceedings of Kerala Science Congress. 14: 658.
14. Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Abbruscato, Thomas Thekkumkara. (2008). Role of Sodium Glucose Transporter in High Glucose-mediated Angiotensin type I receptor down-regulation in Human Proximal tubule cells. Seventh Annual Research Days, Texas Tech University HSC-SOP. [First Prize for the Best Presentation]
15. Prabath Biju, Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Thekkumkara (2008). Hyperglycemia mediated down-regulation of Angiotensin type 1 receptor through alternations in HDAC bioavailability. 48th Annual meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology. December 13-17.
16. Prabath Biju, Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Thekkumkara (2007). Tannic acid mediated specific inhibition of Angiotensin type 1 receptor. Sixth SOP Research Days, August 1-3. Amarillo, TX.
17. Rekha Yesudas, Jancy George, Thomas Thekkumkara (2007). Sodium Glucose Transporter has a role in the High glucose-mediated downregulation of Angiotensin Type I receptor in Human proximal tubule cells. Sixth SOP Research Days, August 1-3. Amarillo, TX.
18. Brandi Cota, Rekha Yesudas, Thomas Thekkumkara (2006). Tannic acid can alter Angiotensin Type I receptor expression in Rat Liver Cells. Fifth Annual SOP Research Days, August 2-4. Amarillo, TX. [First prize for best poster].
19. Rekha Yesudas, Bruce Young (2019): Impact of nematode on the gastric wall of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Symposium, Kirksville campus.
20. Rekha Yesudas, Bruce Young (2020): Histopathological impact of nematodes on the gastric mucosa of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) Abstract: April 2020.
21. Tyanna McCladdie, Savannah Finley, Ericka Westbrook, Rekha Yesudas (2024): Treatment of Systemic lupus erythematous- a current review. PCOM SGA research week.
22. Anjali Saji, Rekha Yesudas (2025): Current drugs for the management of epilepsy. PCOM SGA research day seminars.
23. Joshua Owolabi, Katresa Gardner, Rasheed Agboola, Rekha Yesudas, Jennifer Shaw (2025). Use of simulation for teaching biomedical sciences to undergraduate medical students: a scoping review. PCOM SGA research day poster presentations.
24. Setareh Khani, Sydnee Jackson, Rekha Yesudas (2026): Understanding Doxycycline-induced Phototoxicity. PCOM SGA Research Poster, USA.
25. Sydnee Jackson, Setareh Khani, Rekha Yesudas (2026): Efficacy of Metronidazole in the Management of Bacterial Vaginosis in Women of Reproductive age. PCOM SGA Research Poster, USA.

Memberships

• American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)