Faculty Directory

Sidath C. Kumarapperuma, PhD

Assistant Professor/Research

Research Imaging Institute

Currently seeking M.S. & Ph.D. students

Dr. Kumarapperuma's research interests are focused on the development of novel imaging methods for visualization, characterization, and quantification of biological processes taking place at the cellular and subcellular levels within intact living subjects, including patients. In this regard, ImmunoPET imaging is an active area of research in the Kumarapperuma laboratory and new imaging probes are being developed with positron-emitting isotope tagged biomolecules (e.g. biologically active small molecules, peptides, oligonucleotides, antibodies, antibody-fragments, biofunctionalized nanoparticles, and vaccines) to track cells, viruses, and immune complexes. Dr. Kumarapperuma's lab is currently developing novel PET/MRI imaging techniques to support projects directed towards studying the mechanisms of mucosal transfer of HIV, visualization of virus reservoirs, development of lymph node targeted vaccines, and design of novel cancer imaging agents. 

Diseases Associated: Infectious Disease, Cancer, Metabolic Disease

Sub-Field of Study: Radiopharmaceutical development

Techniques Used: PET, MRI, Optical Imaging, Radiochemistry, Synthetic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry