About the Team

Achudhan David, Ph.D., M.S.

Dr. David is a postdoctoral research fellow. He earned his Ph.D. from China Medical University in Taichung, Taiwan, where he pioneered the development of the first targeted, highly efficient biomedicine and pharmacotherapy-based treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA) and cancer therapy. His work has garnered worldwide interest, as it introduced innovative approaches for RA, OA and cancer therapy, opening new avenues to address some of the most aggressive molecular events of RA. This includes angiogenesis, synovial inflammation and monocyte adhesion.

In January 2024, Dr. David joined the lab as a postdoctoral fellow. His current research focuses on studying aging and the role of p21 in skeletal deterioration and exploring the critical cross-talk between skeletal cells and their niche.

Ritika Sharma, M.B.B.S.

Dr. Sharma obtained her medical degree from Kasturba Medical College in India and gained two years of experience at a multispecialty hospital. Currently a postdoctoral research trainee in Dr. Chandra's lab, she explores age- and disease-related bone loss mechanisms. Dr. Sharma also works to characterize novel tissue phenotypes to define age-related changes in mice and assess changes pre- and post-therapeutic interventions.

Saman Toutounchi, M.D.

Dr. Toutounchi earned his medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran. Before becoming affiliated with Mayo Clinic and contributing to research at the Robert and Arlene Kogod Center on Aging, Dr. Toutounchi practiced as a hospitalist in his home country.

Since his collaboration with Dr. Chandra's lab in 2022, Dr. Toutounchi's research has focused on the behavioral testing of aged animals before and after treatment with therapeutics that can target hallmarks of aging. Also, Dr. Toutounchi collaborates with Haitao Wang, Ph.D., to understand the mechanisms behind heterotopic ossification, studying the influence of telomere alterations on age-related bone diseases, and identifying molecular targets for drug screening in the context of osteoporosis and ectopic bone formation.

Past lab members

  • Evans, Karlie D. C.Ph.T.
  • Hachfeld, Christine M.
  • Hager, Jen J.
  • Schleusner, Megan
  • Wilhelm, Claire T.