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Don Thushara Galbadage

Don Thushara Galbadage

Associate Professor

817-257-1750 M.E. Sadler Hall 412 G (map link)

Program Affiliations

Harris CollegeApplied Health Sciences
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Education

Ph.D. in Medical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College of Medicine, Bryan, TX (2017)
M.P.H. in Epidemiology, The University of Texas, School of Public Health, Houston, TX (2008)
B.S. in Biology, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX (2007)

Teaching Philosophy

Education is a catalyst for critical thinking, personal growth, and meaningful change. I strive to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment where students connect theory to real-world applications. My approach emphasizes active learning through discussions, case studies, and problem-solving exercises that foster curiosity and intellectual exploration.

I am committed to equipping students with the knowledge and confidence to succeed by integrating dynamic teaching strategies, real-world applications, and technology-driven assessments.

Courses Taught

APHS 20003 Global Health Sciences
APHS 20103 Introduction to Public Health

Reasearch Focus

My research integrates microbiology, molecular biology, and epidemiology to investigate neurodegenerative diseases, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, I explore the interactions between gut microbiota, neuroinflammation, and protein aggregation in the progression of Parkinson’s disease. My goal is to identify microbial and metabolic factors that contribute to neurodegeneration and to evaluate microbiota-based therapeutic interventions. Additionally, I apply my expertise in infectious disease pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions to study how bacterial infections influence neurodegenerative processes.

My collaborative research interests extend to metallomics and oncogenesis, utilizing C. elegans to examine metal homeostasis and its role in cellular stress responses. Through my research, I am committed to advancing novel therapeutic strategies while actively engaging undergraduate students in translational neuroscience and microbiology research.

For a complete bibliography, please see my CV.

  • American Public Health Association (APHA)
  • Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
  • Frontiers Topic Editor & Review Editor, Frontiers in Bacteriology Journal
  • Review Editor, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology Journal
  • Academy for Future Faculty (AFF), CIRTL Associate – Fellow (2019)
  • Faculty Assessment Fellow, Biola University (2023-24)
  • Articles & Essays
    • Galbadage, T., Liu, D., Tour, J.M., Cirillo, J.D., & Gunasekera R.S. (2025). Microbicidal Mechanisms for Light-Activated Molecular Nanomachines in Mycobacterium smegmatis: A Model for Pathogenic Bacteria. OpenNano, 100240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onano.2025.100240
    • Park, J. Y., Peterson, B. M., Kim, J., & Galbadage, T. (2025). Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in People With Major Depressive Episodes and Alcohol Use Disorder. Substance use & addiction journal, 46(1), 54–63. https://doi.org/10.1177/29767342241265876
    • Peterson, B. M., Unger, I., Sun, S., Park, J. Y., Kim, J., Gunasekera, R. S., Wilson, J., & Galbadage, T. (2023). The vital role of exercise and nutrition in COVID-19 rehabilitation: synergizing strength. Frontiers in sports and active living, 5, 1305175. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2023.1305175
    • Holt, A., Cahill, J., Ramsey, J., Martin, C., O'Leary, C., Moreland, R., Maddox, L. T., Galbadage, T., Sharan, R., Sule, P., Cirillo, J. D., & Young, R. (2021). Phage-encoded cationic antimicrobial peptide required for lysis. Journal of bacteriology, 204(1), JB0021421. https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00214-21
    • Galbadage, T., Peterson, B. M., Wang, J. S., Jayasekara, A., Ramirez, D. A., Awada, J., Walsh, J. P., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Molecular Mechanisms Lead to Sex-Specific COVID-19 Prognosis and Targeted Therapies. Frontiers in medicine, 7, 589060. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.589060
    • Galbadage, T., Peterson, B. M., Wang, D. C., Wang, J. S., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Biopsychosocial and Spiritual Implications of Patients With COVID-19 Dying in Isolation. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 588623. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.588623
    • Jalali, A. M., Peterson, B. M., & Galbadage, T. (2020). Early COVID-19 Interventions Failed to Replicate 1918 St. Louis vs. Philadelphia Outcomes in the United States. Frontiers in public health, 8, 579559. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.579559
    • Galbadage, T., Peterson, B. M., Awada, J., Buck, A. S., Ramirez, D. A., Wilson, J., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Sex-Specific COVID-19 Clinical Outcomes. Frontiers in medicine, 7, 348. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2020.00348
    • Galbadage, T., Peterson, B. M., & Gunasekera, R. S. (2020). Does COVID-19 Spread Through Droplets Alone? Frontiers in public health, 8, 163. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2020.00163
    • Gunasekera, R. S., Galbadage, T., Ayala-Orozco, C., Liu, D., García-López, V., Troutman, B. E., Tour, J. J., Pal, R., Krishnan, S., Cirillo, J. D., & Tour, J. M. (2020). Molecular Nanomachines Can Destroy Tissue or Kill Multicellular Eukaryotes. ACS applied materials & interfaces, 12(12), 13657–13670. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsami.9b22595
    • Galbadage, T., Liu, D., Alemany, L. B., Pal, R., Tour, J. M., Gunasekera, R. S., & Cirillo, J. D. (2019). Molecular Nanomachines Disrupt Bacterial Cell Wall, Increasing Sensitivity of Extensively Drug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to Meropenem. ACS nano, 13(12), 14377–14387. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.9b07836
    • Galbadage, T., Shepherd, T. F., Cirillo, S. L., Gumienny, T. L., & Cirillo, J. D. (2016). The Caenorhabditis elegans p38 MAPK Gene plays a key role in protection from mycobacteria. MicrobiologyOpen, 5(3), 436–452. https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.341
  • Book Chapters & Reviews

    • Sharan, R., Galbadage, T., Saenkham, P., Moule, M., Sule, P., Kong, Y., Cirillo, J. D. (2019). Optical In Vivo Imaging in Tuberculosis Research. In Tuberculosis Host-Pathogen Interactions (pp. 155-200). Springer, Cham.

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Last Updated: March 03, 2025

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