A Scientist Steps Up to Serve

Vijaya Prakash Krishnan Muthaiah, PT, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the department of rehabilitation sciences at the University at Buffalo (UB), the State University of New York. His 2019 Emerging Research Grant was generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance.

Currently at the UB Brain Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Krishnan Muthaiah’s research investigates how neurotrauma and occupational hazards—especially noise exposure—affect the inner ear and respective higher centers of the brain. He has been focusing on auditory and vestibular neurodegeneration using both preclinical animal models and human subjects.

Here is the published research so far stemming from his 2019 grant:

» Evidence of Brain Tissue Damage From Blast Overpressure

» Mass Spectrometry Imaging Reveals Effect of Blasts on Neurotransmitter Levels in the Chinchilla Model

» Identification of a Potential Therapeutic Approach for Blast-Induced Hearing Loss and Tinnitus

Because Krishnan Muthaiah’s work led him to interact with and interview members of the military, he was inspired to serve himself. We cannot think of a more meaningful way to show dedication to the service our military provides.

“I bring veterans from VA Buffalo as our study participants,” Krishnan Muthaiah says. “In addition to blast TBI [traumatic brain injury] as my research focus, I also focus on environmental metal ototoxicity.

“During the course of my interaction with many veterans during the studies, I got inspired and inquired about the opportunities,” he continues. “I found that I am eligible to join the U.S. Coast Guard [USCG] even though I am 40 years old. Hence, I took the opportunity to join as a reservist and completed the Coast Guard boot camp training.”

Krishnan Muthaiah is a reservist at the Inspections Division, Sector Buffalo, USCG.

“I graduated from the 2022 DEPOT, which is Direct Entry Petty Officer Training Boot Camp, at the USCG Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey, with enlisted rank E3,” he says. Upon successful completion of additional training this summer, he will be rank E4. We thank Krishnan Muthaiah and all service members for their dedication. —

Yishane Lee

Vijaya Prakash Krishnan Muthaiah, PT, Ph.D., is a 2019 Emerging Research Grants scientist generously funded by Royal Arch Research Assistance. To read details about his research, see hhf.org/spring2023-references.