Dr. Madhuri Dandamudi - IRC Enterprise Partnership Scheme Postdoctoral Fellowship (SETU)

Fighting Blindness is delighted to be an enterprise partner on three Irish Research Council Enterprise Partnership Scheme Awards. Two scholars are based at University College Dublin (UCD) and one postdoctoral fellow is based at South East Technological University (SETU).

Dr. Madhuri Dandamudi is based at SETU and received Irish Research Council funding for her work on retinopathy of prematurity.

This funding will make an enormous difference in the development of new therapeutic strategies to protect the vision of preterm infants.

Project: Protecting the vision of preterm infants: Developing new therapeutic strategies for retinopathy of prematurity

Start date: September 2023

Award amount: This project is co-funded between Fighting Blindness and IRC, Fighting Blindness is contributing €33,167 towards the project.

Madhuri Dandamudi Headshot

We spoke to Dr. Madhuri Dandamudi about her current work. Find more below:

What are the overall aims of the project you are working on, including how it could have an impact on those affected by sight loss?
Why did you get into research and what do you most enjoy about it?
What are your other research interests?
Biography

1. What are the overall aims of the project you are working on, including how it could have an impact on those affected by sight loss?

Premature babies can develop a serious eye condition called Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), which can lead to vision problems and even blindness. The risk of ROP is higher for babies with a birth weight below 1500 grams. Current treatments involve laser therapy or injections into the eye. However, these treatments have drawbacks, such as an increased risk of near-sightedness with laser therapy and potential side effects like retinal detachment with injections.

Innovative treatments using new drug combinations and nanomaterials are being explored in the current project. These materials, when used in eye drops, could provide a more controlled and targeted release of medications for ROP. This could potentially improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects. Discovering a new and effective treatment for ROP that can be administered in a user-friendly way has the potential to significantly improve the lives of premature babies dealing with this condition and their care providers/doctors. The goal is to treat the disease and to make the patient-friendly treatment to make it easier for both the infants and their caregivers, enhancing the overall quality of life for these vulnerable newborns.

2. Why did you get into research and what do you most enjoy about it?

Since my introduction to science, I have been captivated by its potential. Coming from a family that values social impact, I’ve aimed for a career that positively affects society, leading me to pharmaceutical sciences. My academic journey in this field, spanning undergraduate and master’s degrees, sparked my passion for research. Pursuing a master’s by research in the UK ignited my research journey, followed by a move to Ireland for a Ph.D. focused on age-related macular degeneration. The current research resonates deeply with me, as I’m emotionally connected to the plight of preterm babies losing sight due to insufficient ROP treatment. I firmly believe it’s our duty as a research community to improve their future. My research voyage has been a dynamic ride, driven by a commitment to positively impact the lives of those affected by complex diseases.

3. What are your other research interests?

Having previously explored the patient friendly treatments for type 2 diabetes. I have an interest in developing oral formulations consisting of insulin to replace insulin injections. I also want to learn more about clinical research and want to be involved at some stage.

4. Biography

Dr. Madhuri completed her pharmacy degree in India, having worked in academia and pharmaceutical industry, she started her research career. She completed her master’s by Research in Kingston University focusing on oral delivery of insulin for type II diabetic patients. Subsequently she moved to Ireland to pursue her PhD on developing eye drop formulations for age-related macular degeneration.

During her Ph.D., Dr. Madhuri worked with the Ocular Therapeutics Research Group (OTRG) under the supervision of Dr Laurence Fitzhenry at South East Technological University (SETU). After completing her higher degree, she continued her research journey as a postdoctoral researcher in the same group, the project is co-funded by the Irish Research Council and Fighting Blindness. Her current focus is on developing innovative treatment approaches for preterm infants affected by retinopathy of prematurity.

Learn more about the Irish Research Council Awards here.