Dr. Jagadeesh Policherla is an NMC-recognized Pharmacologist and experienced medical academician with approximately 21 years of teaching experience in medical institutions. He has developed a strong academic career in Pharmacology, with experience in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education, student mentoring, research supervision, pharmacovigilance, and academic administration.

He currently serves as Professor and Head of the Department of Pharmacology at NRI Institute of Medical Sciences (NRIIMS), Visakhapatnam, a position he has held since November 2022. Previously, he served as Professor and Associate Professor of Pharmacology at GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and as Research Associate Professor at Dr. Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Foundation. His international professional exposure includes academic and medical service experience in Libya and the Maldives, in addition to his extensive work in India.

Academic Excellence

Dr. Policherla has demonstrated notable academic achievement, securing State First Rank in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in the MD Pharmacology examination conducted by NTR University of Health Sciences in July 2008, with 70% marks. He also achieved the second-highest marks in Surgery in the final MBBS examination.

Teaching & Mentorship

His teaching experience encompasses MBBS, dental, nursing, pharmacy, paramedical, and postgraduate students. He has employed diverse teaching methodologies, including lectures, practicals, demonstrations, tutorials, seminars, quizzes, integrated teaching, computer-assisted learning, self-directed learning, and small-group discussions.

As a research mentor, he has guided students in ICMR-STS projects and undergraduate research. His research mentorship includes two ICMR-STS projects selected in 2024 and 2026, focusing respectively on medical-device-related adverse-event reporting (materiovigilance) and the application of machine learning for early prediction of response to empirical antibiotic therapy in patients with sepsis. He has also guided an undergraduate student whose research has been recognized with the C. Janaki Memorial Gold Medal for Best Undergraduate Research Paper at APMEDUCON 2026.

Research & Publications

Dr. Policherla has an active research portfolio spanning clinical pharmacology, drug discovery, pharmacovigilance, medical education, metabolic disorders, drug safety, and experimental pharmacology. His publications include articles in Scopus- and Embase-indexed journals, covering topics such as mechanopharmacology in drug discovery, antifungal therapy, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, self-medication during COVID-19, prescription auditing, environmental pharmacology, and experimental evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents.

His publication record also includes research involving Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera, Valeriana wallichii, nabumetone, aceclofenac, and other pharmacological interventions.

Research Grants & Projects

Dr. Policherla has contributed as Principal Investigator, Co-investigator, and research guide across several projects. His research involvement includes an NTR University of Health Sciences faculty research grant on virtual screening of marine-derived bioactive molecules for AMPK activation as a therapeutic strategy in metabolic syndrome.

He has also supervised ICMR-STS projects addressing sepsis prediction using machine learning and awareness and reporting of medical-device-related adverse events. His self-funded research portfolio includes projects on cooperative learning in pharmacology, critical appraisal of drug promotional literature, neurobiology of addiction, alcohol-use-disorder education, medical ethics, haemovigilance, drug interactions, safe drug disposal, and innovative medical education strategies.

Academic Leadership & Institutional Contributions

Dr. Policherla has made significant contributions to academic administration and institutional development. He has served as Member Secretary of the Institutional Ethics Committee at NRIIMS since December 2022 and played an important role in obtaining National Ethical Committee for Research on Biomedical and Health Research (NECRBHR) recognition for the institution's ethics committee.

He also serves as Convener of the Pharmacovigilance Committee and contributes to several institutional committees. His academic leadership extends to organizing workshops, conferences, guest lectures, and faculty/student development programmes.

Conferences, Workshops & Professional Engagement

He has presented research at national and international academic forums and participated in professional programmes covering pharmacology, medical education, healthcare, and research methodology. He completed Advanced course in medical education (ACME) from CMC, Vellore in 2025. He has served as an organizing secretary, organizing chairperson, quiz moderator, faculty member, and research mentor in various academic activities.

Notably, he has organized Good Clinical Practice (GCP) workshops for postgraduate students and served as organizing chairperson for the national workshop “From Model to Medicine: Exploring Zebrafish, Organoids & 3D-Bioprinting.” These activities reflect his commitment to advancing research methodology and contemporary biomedical education.

Areas of Research Interest

His broad research interests include:

• Clinical and experimental pharmacology
• Pharmacovigilance and drug safety
• Drug discovery and molecular docking
• Metabolic syndrome and AMPK-related therapeutic strategies
• Neurobiology of addiction
• Medical education and innovative teaching methodologies
• Haemovigilance
• Drug–drug and drug–food interactions
• Rational prescribing and prescription auditing
• Medical ethics and research methodology
• Environmental pharmacology
• Translational and biomedical research

Professional Strengths

Dr. Policherla combines extensive teaching experience, research involvement, academic leadership, mentorship, and international professional exposure. His ability to work in multicultural environments, commitment to teamwork, adaptability, communication skills, and continuous professional development have strengthened his effectiveness as a senior academician.

Eligibility for Distinguished Professor Award 

Dr. Jagadeesh Policherla is eligible for the Distinguished Professor Award in Scientific Laurels in recognition of his sustained contributions to medical education, pharmacology research, academic leadership, research mentorship, and institutional development. His eligibility is particularly supported by his 21 years of teaching experience, current position as Professor and Head of Pharmacology, State First Rank in MD Pharmacology, extensive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, Scopus/Embase-indexed publications, involvement in funded and self-funded research, ICMR-STS mentorship, research supervision, ethics and pharmacovigilance leadership, and organization of national-level workshops and academic programmes.

His combination of senior academic responsibility, research productivity, student mentorship, professional service, and contributions to contemporary pharmacology and medical education demonstrates the qualities expected of a Distinguished Professor and makes him a strong candidate for recognition under the Distinguished Professor Award – Scientific Laurels.