Murthy Chavali, Ph.D.
About Murthy Chavali, Ph.D.
Murthy Chavali, Ph.D., serves as the Director of Clinical Development in Ophthalmology Research at Ocugen, where he focuses on gene therapies for retinal diseases. With a strong background in molecular biology and extensive experience in research and development, he has contributed significantly to the field through high-impact publications and mentorship.
Work at Ocugen
Murthy Chavali, Ph.D. serves as the Director of Clinical Development in Ophthalmology Research at Ocugen. He has held this position since 2023, working in a hybrid model from Malvern, Pennsylvania. In this role, he focuses on advancing clinical strategies and overseeing research initiatives related to ocular health.
Previous Experience in Ophthalmology Research
Prior to joining Ocugen, Murthy Chavali worked at Biogen as the Associate Scientific Director and Head of Ocular Gene Therapy in Preclinical Research and Development from 2022 to 2023. He also served as a Postdoctoral Researcher at UC San Diego from 2008 to 2011, where he contributed to the Molecular Genetics and Therapeutics Laboratory at the Shiley Eye Center. His experience includes a one-year tenure as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the W.K. Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan from 2006 to 2007.
Education and Expertise
Murthy Chavali earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Molecular Biology, Virology, and Protein Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. He also holds a Master's degree in Biotechnology from Andhra University. His academic background supports his expertise in identifying novel targets in human genetics and pathway biology related to disease progression.
Research Contributions and Achievements
Chavali has led several NIH-funded, foundation, and university grants focusing on areas such as neurodegeneration, lipid metabolism, transcriptomics, and stem cell therapeutics. He is internationally recognized for his contributions to the research community, which include high-impact publications and patents. He has also presented on topics such as the Nuclear Hormone Receptor RORA as a novel modifier approach for the treatment of Stargardt Disease.
Mentorship and Team Development
Murthy Chavali is passionate about mentorship and has demonstrated a talent for identifying and nurturing key talent within research teams. His leadership style emphasizes the importance of fostering growth and development among team members, contributing to a collaborative research environment.