Gayatri Sanku

MD-PhD candidate with specialization in neuroimmunology, global health, and integrative medicine. Expertise in neuropsychiatry and mental health systems, complemented by extensive experience in research, policy development, and medical writing. Dedicated to advancing evidence-based solutions for underserved populations.

• Led PsychedelX for the Intercollegiate Psychedelic Network, organizing a global conference on recent advances in psychedelic medicine and coordinating over 200 applicants, judges, and participants to foster academic exchange and innovation in the field.
• Co-founder, COVIDCanIDoIt.com (CCIDI), 2020-01-01, present, Aims to empower users to understand the risk of COVID-19 transmission in daily life.
• Campus Representative, Clinton Global Initiative University, Engaged the campus in applying for financial and educational resources from Clinton Global Initiative.

• Transforming Carceral Systems: A Framework for Using Psychedelic Medicine to Reduce Recidivism and Enhance Post-Release Reintegration – Poster Presentation, Psychedelic Science Conference, 2025
• Alteration of Human Dendritic Cell Functions via Exposure to Microfilariae-Derived Extracellular Vesicles – Poster Presentation, ASTMH 70th Annual Meeting, 2021
• Unraveling the Immune Repertoire of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Human T Cell Lines Generated from Unexposed Individuals – Oral Presentation, NIH-FDA COVID-19 Symposium, 2020
• Metagenomic Analysis of the Microbiome in Human Cord Blood – Poster Presentation, American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, 2016
• Transforming Carceral Systems: A Framework for Using Psychedelic Medicine to Reduce Recidivism and Enhance Post-Release Reintegration – Poster Presentation, Psychedelic Science Conference, 2025
• Alteration of Human Dendritic Cell Functions via Exposure to Microfilariae-Derived Extracellular Vesicles – Poster Presentation, ASTMH 70th Annual Meeting, 2021
• Unraveling the Immune Repertoire of SARS-CoV-2-Specific Human T Cell Lines Generated from Unexposed Individuals – Oral Presentation, NIH-FDA COVID-19 Symposium, 2020
• Metagenomic Analysis of the Microbiome in Human Cord Blood – Poster Presentation, American Public Health Association Annual Meeting, 2016
• Evaluation of Healthcare Access Among Urban Disabled Foster Youth – Poster Presentation, LEND Research Day, 2015

• 2025, Psychedelic Science Scholarship Award
• 2023, Core Power BIPOC Yoga Teacher Scholarship
• 2020, Georgetown University Bark Tank Entrepreneurship Finalist- COVID Can I Do It?
• 2019, Next Generation GHS/Nuclear Threat Initiative Biosecurity Challenge Winner
• 2018, INNOVATE4AMR Finalist, ReACT Antimicrobial Resistance Challenge
• 2016, Outstanding Graduate Student Researcher, American Public Health Assoc. Genomics Forum
• 2016, Google Scholar Award, Grace Hopper Anita Borg Institute

Peer-Reviewed Publications

• Antigenic Determinants of SARS-CoV-2-Specific CD4+ T Cell Lines Reveal M Protein-Driven Dysregulation of Interferon Signaling. First Author. Frontiers in Immunology.
• Brugia malayi Filarial Helminth-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Suppress Antigen Presenting Cell Function and Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cell Responses. First Author. Frontiers in Immunology.
• Current Landscape of BRAF-V600E Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Management in Latin America: Expert Panel Recommendations. ecancermedicalscience.
• Expert Opinion on Multiple Myeloma Treatment in Brazil in the Bispecific Antibody Era. Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia. 2025 Apr.
• Latin American Challenges and Recommendations for Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Treatment in Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: An Expert Overview. Cancer Control.
• BRAF-Mutated Melanoma Journey in Latin America: Expert Recommendations from Diagnosis to Treatment. Cancer Control.

Reports & Policy Publications

• Putting Pandemics Behind Us: Investing in One Health to Reduce Risks of Emerging Infectious Diseases. World Bank Group. Contributor.
• Change Cannot Wait: Investing in Health System Resilience for the Anthropocene. World Bank Group. Contributor.
• Global Landscape Analysis of Networks Supporting Genomic Surveillance. Under review, Lancet Global Health.
• Health System Resiliency: Characteristics and Capacities. World Bank Group HNGP Report, 2021.
• SynthRITE (Research, Innovation, Technology, and Ethics): An Online Community to Facilitate Biosecurity and Biosafety Discourse and Address Key Deficits in Current Approaches. Nuclear Threat Initiative, 2019.

• Yoga Teacher Training RYT 200h 2023, Core Power
• Computational Neuroscience Certificate 2023, Neuromatch

• Yoga Teacher, Sanctuary Health
• Medicare for All Advocate
• Member, Gnarware Ceramic workshop