People

Dr. Viju Pillai is an Assistant Professor of Anatomic Pathology in the Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences at Purdue University. Dr. Pillai’s professional training started with a veterinary medicine degree and was followed by a PhD in reproductive biology from Cornell University. Subsequently, he completed his Anatomic Pathology residency at Purdue University and is board-certified in Anatomic Pathology by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Dr. Pillai’s research program is broadly focused on various aspects of reproductive and stem cell biology, with a particular emphasis on early embryonic and placental development, stem cells, 3D-organoid models, and the advancement and application of stem cell-based technologies to enhance human and animal health. Additionally, Dr. Pillai offers comparative pathology services to researchers across Purdue University, encompassing histopathology evaluations, consultation on model development, and provision of support for image and immunohistochemistry analysis.

Shyamkumar T S is a Ph.D. student in Dr. Viju Pillai’s lab at CPB. He earned his BVSc & AH degree from Kerala Veterinary & Animal Sciences University, India. He completed his master’s degree in veterinary pharmacology from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, where he studied the role of prostaglandins in the pathophysiology of canine pyometra. Subsequently, he served as a junior research fellow at the Central Avian Research Institute, India. In 2018, he transitioned to a role as a scientist at the ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, delving into the mechanisms of various plant toxicities in animals. Currently, as a Ph.D. student at Pillai lab, his research centers on exploring the molecular basis of pluripotency in embryonic stem cells, as well as investigating placentation and trophoblast development in domestic animals. He is driven by a passion for a career in research and academia.

Maria is an Anatomic Pathology resident at Purdue University, where she specializes in diagnosing animal diseases across numerous species. She aims to earn board certification from the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and aspires to mentor future veterinary students and residents as a faculty member. Her interests include clinically applicable veterinary research, the study of infectious diseases, and the advancement of veterinary pedagogy. Maria earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Virginia Tech, where she also completed a Master of Science, developing a novel diagnostic method for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus using Nanopore sequencing.