Smita Joshi

Degrees, Licensures and Certifications

PhD., Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky College of Medicine; M.S., Biology, Morehead State University; B.A.M.S. Ayurvedic Medicine and Surgery, Maharashtra University of Health Sciences, Nashik, India

Research Interests

• Regulation of Cellular Processes by Bioactive Compounds
• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Platelet Cell Biology

Bio

As a biochemist, I explore the therapeutic potential of bioactive compounds, particularly for cardiovascular diseases. Hyperactive platelets, key players in blood clotting, contribute to strokes and heart attacks. While existing antithrombotic drugs effectively reduce clots, they often increase bleeding risks. My research seeks to define the "therapeutic window" — the optimal platelet function level minimizing both clot formation and bleeding in cardiovascular patients. Through techniques like Western blots, platelet aggregation assays, and animal models, I aim to identify natural bioactive agents that modulate platelet function with greater efficacy and fewer side effects, leading to safer and personalized cardiovascular disease management.

Selected Publications

• Joshi, S., Prakhya, K. S., Smith, A. N., Chanzu, H., Zhang, M., & Whiteheart, S. W. (2023). The complementary roles of VAMP-2, -3, and 7 in platelet secretion and hemostasis. Platelets, 2023 Dec;34(1):2237114. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2023.2237114. PMID: 37545110.
• Joshi, S., Smith, A. N., Prakhya, K. S., Alfar, H. R., Lykins, J., Zhang, M., Pokrovskaya, I., Aronova, M., Leapman, R. D., Storrie, B., & Whiteheart, S. W. (2023). Ferric chloride-induced arterial thrombosis and sample collection for 3D electron microscopy analysis. Journal of Visualized Experiments (JoVE), (193). doi: 10.3791/64985. PMID: 37010311.
• Joshi, S., Banerjee, M., Zhang, J., Kesaraju, A., Pokrovskaya, I. D., Storrie, B., & Whiteheart, S. W. (2018). Alterations in platelet secretion differentially affect thrombosis and hemostasis. Blood Adv, 2018 Sep 11;2(17):2187-2198. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018019166. PMID: 30185436; PMCID: PMC6134224.
• Pokrovskaya*, I. D., Joshi*, S., Tobin, M., Desai, R., Aronova, M. A., Kamykowski, J. A., Zhang, G., Whiteheart, S. W., Leapman, R. D., & Storrie, B. (2018). SNARE-dependent membrane fusion initiates α-granule matrix decondensation in mouse platelets. Blood Adv, 2018 Nov 13;2(21):2947-2958. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018019158. PMID: 30401752; PMCID: PMC6234365. * These authors contributed equally.
• Joshi, S., & Whiteheart, S. W. (2017). The nuts and bolts of the platelet release reaction. Platelets, 2017 Mar;28(2):129-137. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2016.1240768. PMID: 27848265; PMCID: PMC5446778.