Works

Publications

Research bridging chemical biology, neuroscience, and dermatology.

Google Scholar

Harvard Catalyst

2026

3 papers

Review / Perspective First / Co-First In Press

Biochemistry at scale: seeing both the forest and the trees

Harry SA*, Vasavda C*, Wahida A*, Stevens R, Singh H, Goldman ID, Chabner B, Bar-Peled L

Trends Biochem. Sci.

*contributed equally

Research Article First / Co-First

Generalized Atrophic Papules and Acute Abdominal Pain

Vasavda C, Schmidt B, Grenier PO

JAMA Dermatol. 162 (2), 198–199

Review / Perspective First / Co-First

Mast Cells Fuel Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through a Targetable MRGPRX2–IL17A Axis

Vasavda C, Lerner EA

J. Invest. Dermatol. 146 (6), 1450–1453

2025

6 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

A Rapid Drug Induced Granulomatous Dermatitis to Amlodipine

Vasavda C, Thompson B, Tahan SR, Iriarte C

Am. J. Cardiol. 261, 23–26

Research Article First / Co-First

Biliverdin Reductase A is a major determinant of protective NRF2 signaling

Vasavda C*, Kothari R*, Ammal NK, Chakraborty S, Tripathi SJ, Dhindsa RS, Ricco C, Shanmukha S, Saberi S, Kothari P, Lefler J, Chaubey K, Snowman AM, Ostrowski MC, Barone E, Iyer LM, Aravind L, Sharma S, Pieper AA, Thomas B, Snyder SH, Paul BD

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 122 (40), e2513120122

*contributed equally

Research Article First / Co-First

Delayed Diagnosis of a Generalized Annular Rash Following Immunosuppression

Vasavda C, Binsufayan S, Meara EM, Smith JS

JAAD Case Reports 64, 146–148

Book Chapter First / Co-First

Itch caused by connective tissue diseases

Vasavda C, Kothari R, Smith JS

The Itch Spectrum (Academic Press, eds. X Dong, B Kim, T Follansbee)

Research Article Co-Author

Intravenous immunoglobulin as a treatment for severe, refractory cutaneous lupus erythematosus requiring hospitalization: Three cases and review of the literature

Sengupta S, Vasavda C, Thakker S, Fava A, Balmuri N, Orbai AM, Kang J

Lupus 34 (10), 1088–1094

Research Article Co-Author

A metabolite-based resistance mechanism against malaria

Figueiredo A, Rastogi ST, Ramos S, Nogueira F, de Villiers K, de Sousa AGG, Votborg-Novél L, von Wedel C, Tober-Lau P, Jentho E, Pagnotta S, Mesquita M, Cardoso S, Bortolussi G, Muro AF, Tranfield EM, Thibaud J, Duarte D, Sousa AL, Pinto SN, Kitoko J, Mombo-Ngoma G, Mischlinger J, Junttila S, Alenquer M, Amorim MJ, Vasavda C, Bosma PJ, Violante S, Drotleff B, Paixão T, Portugal S, Kurth F, Elo LL, Paul BD, Martins R, Soares MP

Science 388 (6572), eadq6741

2024

1 paper

Research Article Co-Author

Phenome-wide identification of therapeutic genetic targets, leveraging knowledge graphs, graph neural networks, and UK Biobank data

Middleton L, Melas I, Vasavda C, Raies A, Rozemberczki B, Dhindsa RS, Dhindsa JS, Weido B, Wang Q, Harper AR, Edwards G, Petrovski S, Vitsios D

Sci. Adv. 10 (19), eadj1424

2023

3 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

A polygenic risk score for predicting racial and genetic susceptibility to prurigo nodularis

Vasavda C*, Wan G*, Szeto MD, Marani M, Sutaria N, Rajeh A, Lu C, Lee KK, Nguyen NTT, Adawi W, Deng J, Parthasarathy V, Bordeaux ZA, Taylor MT, Alphonse MP, Kwatra MM, Kang SK, Semenov YR, Gusev A, Kwatra SG

J. Invest. Dermatol. 143 (12), 2416–2426

*contributed equally

Research Article First / Co-First

Asymmetric patterns of patient access to in-person and teledermatologic healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic

Vasavda C, Tang O, Kwatra SG, Ho BK, Grossberg A

J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 88 (1), 167–169

Research Article Co-Author

The perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical students' future careers

Mahjoub H, Vasavda C, Bertram A, Davison A, Sozio S

F1000Research (10), 1211

2022

7 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

Identification of the NRF2 transcriptional network as a therapeutic target for trigeminal neuropathic pain

Vasavda C*, Xu R*, Liew J, Kothari R, Dhindsa RS, Semenza ER, Paul BD, Green DP, Sabbagh MF, Shin JY, Yang W, Snowman AM, Albacarys LK, Moghekar A, Pardo-Villamizar CA, Luciano M, Huang J, Bettegowda C, Kwatra SG, Dong X, Lim M, Snyder SH

Sci. Adv. 8 (31), eabo5633

*contributed equally

Research Article First / Co-First

Biliverdin reductase bridges focal adhesion kinase to Src to modulate synaptic signaling

Vasavda C, Semenza ER, Liew J, Kothari R, Dhindsa RS, Shanmukha S, Lin A, Tokhunts R, Ricco C, Snowman AM, Albacarys L, Pastore F, Ripoli C, Grassi C, Barone E, Kornberg MD, Dong X, Paul BD, Snyder SH

Sci. Signal. 15 (733), eabh3066

Book Chapter First / Co-First

Mogamulizumab-induced rash

Vasavda C, Burgin S

VisualDx (ed. LA Goldsmith)

Book Chapter First / Co-First

Blau Syndrome

Vasavda C, Burgin S

VisualDx (ed. LA Goldsmith)

Research Article Co-Author

Human genetics uncovers MAP3K15 as an obesity-independent therapeutic target for diabetes

Nag A*, Dhindsa R*, Mitchell J, Vasavda C, Harper A, Vitsios D, Ahnmark A, Bilican B, Madeyski-Bengtson K, Zarrouki B, Zoghbi A, Wang Q, Smith K, Alegre-Díaz J, Kuri-Morales P, Berumen J, Tapia-Conyer R, Emberson J, Torres J, Collins R, Smith D, Challis B, Paul D, Bohlooly M, Snowden M, Baker D, Fritsche-Danielson R, Pangalos M, Petrovski S

Sci. Adv. 8 (46), eadd5430

*contributed equally

Research Article Co-Author

Keratinocyte-derived defensins activate neutrophil-specific receptors Mrgpra2a/b to prevent skin dysbiosis and bacterial infection

Dong X, Limjunyawong N, Sypek EI, Wang G, Ortines RV, Youn C, Alphonse MP, Dikeman D, Wang Y, Lay M, Kothari R, Vasavda C, Pundir P, Goff L, Miller LS, Lu W, Garza LA, Kim BS, Archer NK, Dong X

Immunity 55 (9), 1645–1662

Research Article Co-Author

Diet and acne: A systematic review

Meixiong J*, Ricco C*, Vasavda C, Ho BK

JAAD Int. 7, 95–112

*contributed equally

2021

7 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

Quantitative measurement of reactive oxygen species in ex vivo mouse brain slices

Vasavda C, Snyder SH, Paul BD

STAR Protocols 2 (1), 100332

Review / Perspective First / Co-First

The JCI Scholar experience strengthens physician-scientist training

Vasavda C*, Uddin O*, Lee MS

J. Clin. Invest. 131 (6), e148012

*contributed equally

Book Chapter First / Co-First

Positioning yourself for a successful MD-PhD application

Vasavda C, Hinkle J

The Essential MD-PhD Guide (McGraw-Hill, eds. MJ Eisenberg, A Cox)

Book Chapter Co-Author

Defining your project

Hinkle J, Vasavda C

The Essential MD-PhD Guide (McGraw-Hill, eds. MJ Eisenberg, A Cox)

Research Article Co-Author

D-cysteine is an endogenous regulator of neural progenitor cell dynamics in the mammalian brain

Semenza ER, Harraz MM, Abramson E, Malla AP, Vasavda C, Gadalla MM, Kornberg MD, Snyder SH, Roychaudhuri R

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 118 (39), e2110610118

Research Article Co-Author

Prurigo Nodularis is Characterized by Systemic and Cutaneous Th22 Immune Polarization

Belzberg M, Alphonse M, Brown I, Williams K, Khanna R, Ho B, Wongvibulsin S, Pritchard T, Roh Y, Sutaria N, Choi J, Jedrych J, Johnston A, Sarkar K, Vasavda C, Meixiong J, Dillen C, Bondesgaard K, Paolini J, Chen W, Corcoran D, Devos N, Kang S, Kwatra S

J. Invest. Dermatol. 141 (9), 2208–2218

Research Article Co-Author

A Transcriptome-Based Drug Discovery Paradigm for Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Dhindsa RS, Zoghbi AW, Krizay DK, Vasavda C, Goldstein DB

Ann. Neurol. 89 (2), 199–211

2020

4 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

First- and third-generation EGFR inhibitors mediate distinct phosphoprotein signaling networks: implications for adverse dermatologic reactions

Vasavda C, Ho BK, Zhang DY, Williams KA, Kaffenberger BH, Kwatra SG, Kwatra MM

Br. J. Dermatol. 183 (6), 1105–1107

Review / Perspective First / Co-First

Socially Distant Medical Education in the Face of COVID-19

Vasavda C, Ho BK, Davison A

Med. Sci. Educ. 31 (1), 1–3

Review / Perspective First / Co-First

Ease restrictions on U.S. blood donations

Vasavda C, Ho BK, Snyder SH

Science 368 (6494), 957

Research Article Co-Author

BVR-A Deficiency Leads to Autophagy Impairment through the Dysregulation of AMPK/mTOR Axis in the Brain: Implications for Neurodegeneration

Lanzillotta C, Zuliani I, Vasavda C, Snyder SH, Paul BD, Perluigi M, Di Domenico F, Barone E

Antioxidants 9 (8), 671

2019

5 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

Bilirubin links heme metabolism to neuroprotection by scavenging superoxide

Vasavda C, Kothari R, Malla AP*, Tokhunts R*, Lin A, Ji M, Ricco C, Xu R, Saavedra H, Sbodio JI, Snowman AM, Albacarys L, Hester L, Sedlak TW, Paul BD, Snyder SH

Cell Chem. Biol. 26 (10), 1450–1460

*contributed equally

Research Article First / Co-First

Identification of a bilirubin receptor that may mediate a component of cholestatic itch

Meixiong J*, Vasavda C*, Green D, Zheng Q, Qi L, Kwatra SG, Hamilton JP, Snyder SH, Dong X

eLife 8, e44116

*contributed equally

Research Article Co-Author

A Connective Tissue Mast-Cell-Specific Receptor Detects Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Molecules and Mediates Antibacterial Immunity

Pundir P, Liu R, Vasavda C, Serhan N, Limjunyawong N, Yee R, Zhan Y, Dong X, Wu X, Zhang Y, Snyder SH, Gaudenzio N, Vidal JE, Dong X

Cell Host Microbe 26 (1), 114–122

Research Article Co-Author

MRGPRX4 is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by bile acids that may contribute to cholestatic pruritus

Meixiong J, Vasavda C, Snyder SH, Dong X

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 116 (21), 10525–10530

Research Article Co-Author

Cholestatic pruritus: Emerging mechanisms and therapeutics

Patel S, Vasavda C, Ho B, Meixiong J, Dong X, Kwatra S

J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 81 (6), 1371–1378

2017

2 papers

Research Article First / Co-First

Measuring G-protein coupled receptor signaling via radiolabeled GTP binding

Vasavda C*, Zaccor NW*, Scherer PC, Sumner CJ, Snyder SH

J. Vis. Exp. 9 (124), 55561

*contributed equally

Research Article Co-Author

TRPV1 is a physiologic regulator of µ-opioid receptors

Scherer PC*, Zaccor NW*, Neumann NM, Vasavda C, Barrow R, Ewald AJ, Rao F, Sumner CJ, Snyder SH

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 114 (51), 13561–13566

*contributed equally

2016

2 papers

Research Article Co-Author

Complementary roles of gasotransmitters CO and H₂S in sleep apnea

Peng Y-J, Zhang X, Gridina A, Chupikova I, McCormick DL, Thomas RJ, Scammell TE, Kim G, Vasavda C, Nanduri J, Kumar GK, Semenza GL, Snyder SH, Prabhakar NR

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 114 (6), 1413–1418

Research Article Co-Author

H₂S production by reactive oxygen species in the carotid body triggers hypertension in a rodent model of sleep apnea

Yuan G, Peng Y-J, Khan SA, Nanduri J, Singh A, Vasavda C, Semenza GL, Kumar GK, Snyder SH, Prabhakar NR

Sci. Signal. 9 (441), ra80