Shyam Tummanapalli

Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Research Associate

Dr Shyam Sunder Tummanapalli, a Postdoctoral Research Scientist with a special interest in identifying ocular surface biomarkers in neurological disorders. His current research is primarily on tear-based biomarkers as they offer a relatively non-invasive collection option to blood, and can be collected for serial repeated measures to determine the progression of the disease or determine the therapeutic efficacy in clinical trials. His PhD research identified that the concentration of neuro-active peptides, specifically substance P, in the tears of those with type 1 diabetes can serve as a non-invasive biomarker for peripheral nerve damage. This work was critical as it allows early detection and may prevent the progression of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes recurring ulcers of the feet and in severe cases require amputation. He has been recognised with a Dean's Award for his Outstanding PhD Thesis entitled "Evaluation of corneal nerves and tear neuromediators in diabetic peripheral neuropathy".

His current projects include: 

  1. Investigating the ocular surface changes in diabetes-associated dry eyes.
  2. Investigating the markers of ocular surface inflammation in people with Multiple Sclerosis.
  3. Investigating the ocular surface biomarkers in people with migraine.

publications
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Conference Papers
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Tummanapalli SS; Willcox M; Issar T; Yan A; Kwai N; Poynten A; Krishnan A; Markoulli M, 2019, 'Reduced tear film substance P concentration is associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Vancouver, CANADA, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), Vancouver, CANADA, 28 April 2019 - 02 May 2019, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000488800703078&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
2019
Peguda R; Yang A; Xu T; Tummanapalli SS; Swarbrick HA, 2018, 'Morphological changes in the bulbar conjunctiva with short term mini-scleral contact lens wear', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Honolulu, HI, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), Honolulu, HI, 29 April 2018 - 03 May 2018, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000442912505084&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
2018
Tummanapalli SS; Issar T; Kwai N; Poyten A; Krishnan A; Willcox MDP; Markoulli M, 2018, 'Assessment of corneal nerve structure and peripheral nerve function in detection of diabetic peripheral neuropathy', in INVESTIGATIVE OPHTHALMOLOGY & VISUAL SCIENCE, ASSOC RESEARCH VISION OPHTHALMOLOGY INC, Honolulu, HI, presented at Annual Meeting of the Association-for-Research-in-Vision-and-Ophthalmology (ARVO), Honolulu, HI, 29 April 2018 - 03 May 2018, http://gateway.webofknowledge.com/gateway/Gateway.cgi?GWVersion=2&SrcApp=PARTNER_APP&SrcAuth=LinksAMR&KeyUT=WOS:000442912505122&DestLinkType=FullRecord&DestApp=ALL_WOS&UsrCustomerID=891bb5ab6ba270e68a29b250adbe88d1
2018
Conference Posters
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Maseedupally VK; Sudharman PM; Dumapati S; Tummanapalli S, 2009, 'Orbscan IIz corneal indices in normal and keratoconic eyes', Hyderabad, India, presented at Asia ARVO, Hyderabad, India, 15 January 2009 - 18 January 2009
2009
Journal articles
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Kalaiselvan P; Yasir M; Vijay AK; Willcox MDP; Tummanapalli S, 2022, 'Longevity of hand sanitisers on fingers', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2022.2040334
2022
Kalaiselvan P; Tummanapalli SS; Kumar Vijay A; Bahl P; MacIntyre CR; Willcox MDP, 2022, 'The ability of face masks to reduce transmission of microbes', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, vol. 105, pp. 214 - 221, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2021.1971050
2022
Klisser J; Tummanapalli SS; Kim J; Chiang JCB; Khou V; Issar T; Naduvilath T; Poynten AM; Markoulli M; Krishnan AV, 2021, 'Automated analysis of corneal nerve tortuosity in diabetes: implications for neuropathy detection', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08164622.2021.1940875
2021
Tummanapalli SS; Kuppusamy R; Yeo JH; Kumar N; New EJ; Willcox MDP, 2021, 'The role of nitric oxide in ocular surface physiology and pathophysiology', Ocular Surface, vol. 21, pp. 37 - 51, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2021.04.007
2021
Tummanapalli SS; Willcox MD, 2021, 'Antimicrobial resistance of ocular microbes and the role of antimicrobial peptides', Clinical and Experimental Optometry, vol. 104, pp. 295 - 307, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/cxo.13125
2021
Issar T; Tummanapalli SS; Borire AA; Kwai NCG; Poynten AM; Arnold R; Markoulli M; Krishnan AV, 2021, 'Impact of the metabolic syndrome on peripheral nerve structure and function in type 2 diabetes', European Journal of Neurology, vol. 28, pp. 2074 - 2082, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ene.14805
2021
Tummanapalli SS; Willcox MDP; Issar T; Kwai N; Poynten AM; Krishnan AV; Pisarcikova J; Markoulli M, 2020, 'The Effect of Age, Gender and Body Mass Index on Tear Film Neuromediators and Corneal Nerves', Current Eye Research, vol. 45, pp. 411 - 418, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2019.1666998
2020
Tummanapalli SS; Issar T; Kwai N; Poynten A; Krishnan AV; Willcox M; Markoulli M, 2020, 'Association of corneal nerve loss with markers of axonal ion channel dysfunction in type 1 diabetes', Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 131, pp. 145 - 154, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2019.09.029
2020
Yan A; Issar T; Tummanapalli SS; Markoulli M; Kwai NCG; Poynten AM; Krishnan AV, 2020, 'Relationship between corneal confocal microscopy and markers of peripheral nerve structure and function in Type 2 diabetes', Diabetic Medicine, vol. 37, pp. 326 - 334, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dme.13952
2020
Tummanapalli SS; Issar T; Kwai N; Pisarcikova J; Poynten AM; Krishnan AV; Willcox MDP; Markoulli M, 2020, 'A Comparative Study on the Diagnostic Utility of Corneal Confocal Microscopy and Tear Neuromediator Levels in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy', Current Eye Research, vol. 45, pp. 921 - 930, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02713683.2019.1705984
2020
Tummanapalli SS; Issar T; Yan A; Kwai N; Poynten AM; Krishnan AV; Willcox MDP; Markoulli M, 2020, 'Corneal nerve fiber loss in diabetes with chronic kidney disease', Ocular Surface, vol. 18, pp. 178 - 185, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2019.11.010
2020
Tummanapalli SS; Issar T; Kwai N; Poynten A; Krishnan AV; Willcox M; Markoulli M, 2020, 'Erratum to ‘Association of corneal nerve loss with markers of axonal ion channel dysfunction in type 1 diabetes’. (Clinical Neurophysiology (2020) 131(1) (145–154), (S1388245719312726), (10.1016/j.clinph.2019.09.029))', Clinical Neurophysiology, vol. 131, pp. 780, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2020.01.001
2020
Issar T; Tummanapalli SS; Kwai NCG; Chiang JCB; Arnold R; Poynten AM; Markoulli M; Krishnan AV, 2020, 'Associations between acute glucose control and peripheral nerve structure and function in type 1 diabetes', Diabetic Medicine, vol. 37, pp. 1553 - 1560, http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/dme.14306
2020
Tummanapalli SS; Willcox MDP; Issar T; Yan A; Pisarcikova J; Kwai N; Poynten AM; Krishnan AV; Markoulli M, 2019, 'Tear film substance P: A potential biomarker for diabetic peripheral neuropathy', Ocular Surface, vol. 17, pp. 690 - 698, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2019.08.010
2019
Tummanapalli SS; Potluri H; Vaddavalli PK; Sangwan VS, 2018, 'Efficacy of axial and tangential corneal topography maps in detecting keratoconus suspects', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, vol. 41, pp. S28 - S28, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2018.04.170
2018
Markoulli M; Flanagan J; Tummanapalli SS; Wu J; Willcox M, 2018, 'The impact of diabetes on corneal nerve morphology and ocular surface integrity', Ocular Surface, vol. 16, pp. 45 - 57, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2017.10.006
2018
Tummanapalli SS; Potluri H; Vaddavalli PK; Sangwan VS, 2015, 'Efficacy of axial and tangential corneal topography maps in detecting subclinical keratoconus', Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, vol. 41, pp. 2205 - 2214, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2015.10.041
2015
Tummanapalli SS; Maseedupally V; Rathi VM, 2013, 'Reply: Pellucid marginal degeneration and keratoconus; Differential diagnosis by corneal topography', Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, vol. 39, pp. 968 - 969, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2013.04.019
2013
Tummanapalli SS; Maseedupally V; Rathi VM, 2013, 'Pellucid marginal degeneration and keratoconus; Differential diagnosis by corneal topography Reply', JOURNAL OF CATARACT AND REFRACTIVE SURGERY, vol. 39, pp. 968 - 969, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2013.04.019
2013
Tummanapalli ; Maseedupally ; Mandathara PS; Rathi VM; Sangwan VS, 2013, 'Evaluation of corneal elevation and thickness indices in pellucid marginal degeneration and keratoconus', Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, vol. 39, pp. 56 - 65, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrs.2012.08.053
2013
Kumbar T; Shyam Sunder T; Swati J; Fathima A; Addepally UK; Rao HL; Rathi VM, 2012, 'Correlation of Back Optic Zone Radius measurement of rigid contact lenses with radiuscope and keratometer', Contact Lens and Anterior Eye, vol. 35, pp. 282 - 284, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.clae.2012.09.001
2012

Awards
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2020 - Received Dean's Award for Outstanding PhD Thesis titled "Evaluation of corneal nerves & tear neuromediators in diabetic peripheral neuropathy". (https://www.optometry.unsw.edu.au/postdoctoral-research-fellow-receives-deans-award)

2017 - Won the best photo award for “Whirlpool in the eye”- A montage of in-vivo confocal images of corneal nerves demonstrating whorl-like pattern of the corneal sub-basal nerve plexus. School of optometry and vision sciences photo competition, University of New South Wales, Australia.

2015 - Best Scientific Poster Award. ESO's International vision science and optometry conference (EIVOC), Chennai, India. (Poster)

2014 - Grand first prize for the South Zone in the All-India Cooper Vision quiz contest. India.

2013 - Australian Leadership Awards Fellowship round, Brien Holden Vision Institute, Sydney, Australia.

2010 - Best scientific poster award. ESO's International vision science and optometry conference (EIVOC), Chennai, India.

2005 - Winning team member of contact lens quiz. Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Academy at Pune, India

2004 - Winning team member of Bausch & Lomb Rolling Trophy. All-India quiz contest organised by Bausch & Lomb University at New Delhi

Grants
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2021 - Diabetes Research Grant from the Elizabeth O’Beirne and Robert and Emmy Mather Trust Fund, Australia.

2019 - Science PhD Writing Scholarship from the Faculty of Science, University of New South Wales, Australia.

2019 - Travel grant to attend the International Society for Contact Lens Research Scientific (ISCLR) Meeting, Singapore.

2019 - Travel grant from Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Australia.

2018 - Postgraduate Research Student Support (PRSS) funding, University of New South Wales, Australia.

2016 - University of New South Wales Tuition Fee Scholarship (TFS) for study toward a PhD in the Optometry and Vision Science, Sydney, Australia.

2015 - Travel grant. ESO's International Vision science and Optometry Conference (EIVOC), Chennai, India.

2015 - Travel Grant from International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) to participate in the "Association of Optometric Contact Lens Educators (AOCLE)" workshop at Southern college of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee, US.