Prema Robinson, PhD
Department of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control, and Employee Health, Division of Internal Medicine
Present Title & Affiliation
Dual/Joint/Adjunct Appointment
Professor, University of Houston Downtown, Houston, TX
Assistant Professor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
Education & Training
Degree-Granting Education
| 1990 | Bombay University, Bombay, IN, Ph.D. in Microbiology |
| 1987 | Bombay University, Bombay, IN, M.S. in Microbiology |
| 1984 | Bombay University, Bombay, IN, BS in Microbiology |
Postgraduate Training
| 1997-2000 | Postdoctoral Research Associate, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 1994-1997 | Research Fellowship, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas |
| 1990-1993 | Research Fellowship, Bombay University, Bombay |
Experience & Service
Faculty Academic Appointments
Instructor, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 2000 - 2003
Other Professional Positions
Adjunct Professor, University of Houston Downtown, Houston, TX, 2014 - Present
Consultant, Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Washington Dc, 2013 - Present
Honors & Awards
| 2001 | Travel Award, FASEB Summer Research Conference |
| 1999 | SMR Travel Training Award, Experimental Biology '99 Conference |
Selected Presentations & Talks
National Presentations
- 2012. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of murine Viral Myocarditis. Conference. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of murine Viral Myocarditis. New Orleans, LA, US.
- 2006. Substance P in the pathogenesis of Neurocysticercosis. Conference. Substance P in the pathogenesis of Neurocysticercosis. Philadelphia, PA, US.
- 2003. Substance P in the pathogenesis of Cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Substance P in the pathogenesis of Cryptosporidiosis. Snowmass, CO, US.
- 2002. Substance P in the pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosiss. Conference. Substance P in the pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosiss. Atlanta, GA, US.
- 2001. Neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis. Conference. Neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis. New orleans, LA, US.
- 2001. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of AIDS related cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of AIDS related cryptosporidiosis. Whitefish, MT, US.
- 2000. The Role of Intestinal Cytokines in Resistance to Infection and Resolution of Human Experimental Cryptosporidiosis. Conference. The Role of Intestinal Cytokines in Resistance to Infection and Resolution of Human Experimental Cryptosporidiosis. Houston, TX, US.
- 2000. The role of intestinal cytokines in resistance to infection and resolution of human experimental cryptosporidiosis. Conference. The role of intestinal cytokines in resistance to infection and resolution of human experimental cryptosporidiosis. Houston, TX, US.
- 2000. Sequential Expression of IL-15, Interferon Gamma, and IL-4 in Cryptosporidiosis Patients During Immune Reconstitution with HAART. Conference. Sequential Expression of IL-15, Interferon Gamma, and IL-4 in Cryptosporidiosis Patients During Immune Reconstitution with HAART. San Francisco, CA, US.
- 2000. Intestinal cytokine responses in cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Intestinal cytokine responses in cryptosporidiosis. Taos, NM, US.
- 1999. Proinflammatory cytokines in murine cysticercal granulomas. Conference. Proinflammatory cytokines in murine cysticercal granulomas. Washington, DC, US.
- 1999. Differential Intestinal IL-15 and interferon expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Differential Intestinal IL-15 and interferon expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Washington, DC, US.
- 1999. Intestinal IL-15 Interferon (IFN) in cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Intestinal IL-15 Interferon (IFN) in cryptosporidiosis, US.
- 1998. Intestinal Interferon (IFN) expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Intestinal Interferon (IFN) expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Denver, CO, US.
- 1998. Differential intestinal cytokine responses in seropositive and seronegative volunteers to experimental human infection. Conference. Differential intestinal cytokine responses in seropositive and seronegative volunteers to experimental human infection. San Juan, PR, US.
- 1998. Intestinal IL-15 expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Intestinal IL-15 expression in experimental human cryptosporidiosis. Snowmass Village, CO, US.
- 1998. Intestinal Interferon (IFN) Expression in Human Cryptosporidiosis. Conference. Intestinal Interferon (IFN) Expression in Human Cryptosporidiosis. Keystone, CO, US.
- 1998. Differential Intestinal Cytokine Responses In Seropositive and Seronegative Volunteers to Experimental Human Infection With C. Parvum. Conference. Differential Intestinal Cytokine Responses In Seropositive and Seronegative Volunteers to Experimental Human Infection With C. Parvum. Keystone, CO, US.
- 1997. Taenia Cysts Secrete An Aminopeptidase That Degrades Host Defense Molecules. Conference. Taenia Cysts Secrete An Aminopeptidase That Degrades Host Defense Molecules, US.
- 1995. Taenia saginata. Oncosphere peptidases. Abstract #388. Conference. Taenia saginata. Oncosphere peptidases. Abstract #388. San Antonio, TX, US.
- 1995. Granuloma cytokines in murine cysticercosis. Abstract #387. Conference. Granuloma cytokines in murine cysticercosis. Abstract #387, US.
Formal Peers
- 2013. Substance P antagonism to treat Cryptosporidiosis. Invited. Washington, DC, US.
- 2012. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of seizures in neurocysticercosis. Invited. Houston, TX, US.
- 2012. Substance P antagonism to treat Neurocysticercosis. Invited. Washington, DC, US.
- 2011. Substance P causes seizures in neurocysticercosis-NIH. Invited, MD, US.
- 2011. Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of viral myocarditis. Invited, VT, US.
Grant & Contract Support
| Date: | 2013 - 2015 |
| Title: | Role of STAT3 in the pathogenesis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2010 - 2012 |
| Title: | Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of viral Myocarditis |
| Funding Source: | AHA |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2010 - 2011 |
| Title: | Innovative treatment strategies for Viral Myocarditis |
| Funding Source: | Baylor College of Medicine |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2009 - 2011 |
| Title: | Substance P in the pathogenesis of parasitic and viral diseases |
| Funding Source: | Baylor College of Medicine |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2003 - 2008 |
| Title: | Neuropeptides in the pathogenesis of neurocysticercosis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NINDS |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2003 - 2005 |
| Title: | Substance P in the Pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosis in AIDS |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | PI |
| Date: | 2001 - 2006 |
| Title: | Intestinal Cytokines in Cryptosporidiosis |
| Funding Source: | NIH/NIAID |
| Role: | Co-I |
| Date: | 2000 - 2001 |
| Title: | Role of Substance P in the pathogenesis of AIDS Related Cryptosporidiosis |
| Funding Source: | Baylor College of Medicine |
| Role: | PI |
Selected Publications
Peer-Reviewed Articles
- Robinson P, Kasembeli M, Bharadwaj U, Engineer N, Eckols KT, Tweardy DJ. Substance P Receptor Signaling Mediates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Chemoresistance. Biomed Res Int 2016:1959270, 2016. e-Pub 2016. PMID: 26981525.
- Khumbatta M, Firozgary B, Tweardy DJ, Weinstock J, Firozgary G, Bhatena Z, Bulsara T, Siller R, Robinson P. Corrigendum to "Somatostatin Negatively Regulates Parasite Burden and Granulomatous Responses in Cysticercosis". Biomed Res Int 2015:869648, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 26078968.
- Robinson P, Taffet GE, Engineer N, Khumbatta M, Firozgary B, Reynolds C, Pham T, Bulsara T, Firozgary G. Substance P receptor antagonism-a potential novel treatment option for viral myocarditis. Biomed Res Int 2015:1-12, 2015. e-Pub 2015. PMID: 25821814.
- Khumbatta M, Firozgary B, Tweardy DJ, Weinstock J, Firozgary G, Bhatena Z, Bulsara T, Siller R, Robinson P. Somatostatin Negatively Regulates Parasite Burden and Granulomatous Responses in Cysticercosis. Biomed Res Int 2014:1-6, 2014. e-Pub 2014. PMID: 25530957.
- Thacker SA, Robinson P, Abel A, Tweardy DJ. Modulation of the Unfolded Protein Response During Hepatocyte and Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis In Trauma/Hemorrhagic Shock. Sci Rep 3:1187, 2013. e-Pub 2013. PMID: 23378918.
- Robinson P, Garza A, Weinstock J, Serpa JA, Goodman JC, Eckols KT, Firozgary B, Tweardy DJ. Substance P Causes Seizures in Neurocysticercosis. PLoS Pathog 8(2):1-10, 2012. e-Pub 2012. PMID: 22346746.
- Garza A, Tweardy DJ, Weinstock J, Viswanathan B, Robinson P. Substance P signaling contributes to granuloma formation in Taenia crassiceps infection, a murine model of cysticercosis. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010:1-6, 2010. e-Pub 2010. PMID: 20150970.
- Robinson P, Garza A, Moore J, Eckols K, Parti S, Vishwanathan B, Vallejo J, and Tweardy DJ. Substance P is required for the pathogenesis of EMCV infection in mice. Int. J. Clinical Experimental Medicine 2(1):76-86, 2009. e-Pub 2009.
- Robinson P, Martin Jr P, Garza A, D' Souza M, Mastrangelo M, Tweardy D. Substance P receptor antagonism for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in immunosuppressed mice. J Parasitol 94(5):1150-4, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Garza A, Lackner A, Aye P, D'Souza M, Jr MP, Borda J, Tweardy DJ, Weinstock J, Griffiths J, Robinson P. Substance P receptor antagonist reverses intestinal pathophysiological alterations occurring in a novel ex-vivo model of Cryptosporidium parvum infection of intestinal tissues derived from SIV-infected macaques. J Med Primatol 37(3):109-15, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Garza A, Weinstock J, Robinson P. Absence of the SP/SP receptor circuitry in the SP precursor knockout mice or SP-receptor, neurokinin 1 (NK1) knockout mice leads to an inhibited cytokine response ingranulomas associated with murine Taenia crassiceps infection. J Parasitol 94(6):1253-8, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Garza A, Castenallos GA, Griffiths J, Robinson P. Infection of immunocompetent mice with acid-water-pretreated Cryptosporidium parvum results in weight loss, and intestinal (structural and physiological)alterations. Parasitol Res 102(3):457-63, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Pantenburg B, Dann SM, Wang H, Robinson P, Castellanos-Gonzalez A, Lewis DE, A Clinton White A. Intestinal Immune response to human Cryptosporidium sp. Infection. Infection and Immunity 76(1):23-9, 2008. e-Pub 2008.
- Hernandez J, Lackner A, Aye P, Mukherjee K, Tweardy DJ, Mastrangelo M, Weinstock J, Griffiths J, D'Souza M, Dixit S, Robinson AP. Substance P Is Responsible for Physiological Alterations Such as Increased Chloride Ion Secretion and Glucose Malabsorption in Cryptosporidiosis. Infection and Immun 75:1137-1143, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- D'Souza M, Garza A, Xie M, Weinstock JV, Xiang Q, Robinson P. Substance P is associated with heart enlargement and apoptosis in murine dilated cardiomyopathy induced by Taenia crassiceps infection. J Parasitol 93(5):1121-7, 2007. e-Pub 2007.
- Patil S, Robinson P, Actor JK, Baig S, and White Jr AC. Proinflammatory cytokines in granulomas associated with murine cysticercosis are not the cause of seizures. J Parasitol 92(4):738-741, 2006. e-Pub 2006.
- Dann SM, Wang H, Gambarin KJ, Actor JK, Robinson P, Lewis DE, Caillat-Zucman S, Clinton White 4A, Jr. Interleukin-15 Activates Human Natural Killer Cells to Clear the Intestinal Protozoan Cryptosporidium. The Journal of Infectious Dis 192:1294-1302, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Okhuysen, PC, CL Chappell CL, DE Lewis DE, P Robinson P, AC White AC, Jr. Treatment of chronic cryptosporidiosis in AIDS with rIL-12 induces an immune response associated with improvement but severe side-effects. AIDS 19:1329-1340, 2005. e-Pub 2005.
- Kumar A, Murphy R, Robinson P, Wei L, Boriek AM. Cyclic mechanical strain inhibits skeletal myogenesis through the activation of focal adhesion kinase, Rac-1 GTPase and NF-kB transcription factor. FASEB J 18(13):1524-1535, 2004. e-Pub 2004.
- Stringer JL, Marks LM, A Clinton White A, Jr, Robinson P. Epileptogenic activity of granulomas associated with murine cysticercosis. Exp Neurol 183(2):532-536, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Jr WA, Robinson P, Okhuysen PC. Human studies provide insight into the pathogenesis, immunology, and treatment of cryptosporidiosis. Clin Infect Dis 37(7):989-990, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Robinson P, Okhuysen PC, Chappell CL, Weinstock JV, Lewis DE, Actor JK, Jr WA. Substance P expression correlates with severity of diarrhea in cryptosporidiosis. J Infect Dis 188(2):290-296, 2003. e-Pub 2003.
- Robinson P, A Clinton White Jr A, Lewis DE, Thornby J, David E, Weinstock J. Sequential expression of neuropeptides, substance P and somatostatin in granulomas associated with murine cysticercosis. Infection and Immun 70(8):4534-4538, 2002. e-Pub 2002.
- Robinson P, Okhuysen PC, Chappell CL, Lewis DE, Shahab I, Lahoti S, AC Jr AW. Expression IL-15 and IL-4 in IFN-independent control of experimental human Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Cytokine 15(1):39-46, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Robinson P, Okhuysen PC, Chappell CL, Lewis DE, Shahab I, Janecki A, Jr WA. Expression of TNF and IL-1 in the jenjuna of volunteers after experimental challenge with Cryptosporidium parvum correlates with exposure but not with symptoms. Infection and Immun 69:1172-1174, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Okhuysen PC, Robinson P, Nguyen MT, Nannini EC, Lewis DE, Lahoti S, Chappell CL, Shahab I, Jr WA. Jejunal cytokine response in AIDS patients with chronic cryptosporidiosis and during immune reconstitution. AIDS 15:802-804, 2001. e-Pub 2001.
- Jr WA, Robinson P, Okhuysen PC, Lewis DE, Shahab I, Lahoti S, DuPont HL, Chappell CL. Interferon-gamma expression in jejunal biopsies in experimental human cryptosporidiosis correlates with prior sensitization and control of oocyst excretion. J Infect Dis 181:701-709, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- Robinson P, Okhuysen PC, Chappell CL, Lewis DE, Shahab I, Lahoti S, Jr WA. TGF-1 is expressed in the jejunum after experimental human Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Infection and Immun 68:5405-5407, 2000. e-Pub 2000.
- White Jr AC, Robinson P, Kuhn R. Taenia solium cysticercosis: Host parasite interactions and the immune response. Freedman DO (ed): Immunopathogenic Aspects of Disease Induced by Helminth Parasites. Chem Immun 66:209-230, 1997. e-Pub 1997.
- Robinson P, Atmar RL, Lewis DE, White Jr AC. Granuloma cytokines in murine cysticercosis. Infection and Immun 65(7):2925-2931, 1997. e-Pub 1997.
- White Jr AC, Baig S, Robinson P. Taenia saginata excretory/secretory peptidases. J Parasitol 82:2925-2931, 1996. e-Pub 1996.
- Ilangumaran S, Robinson P, Shankernarayan NP, Ramu G, Mahadevan PR, Muthukkaruppan VR. T lymphocyte reactivity of leprosy patients and healthy contacts from a leprosy-endemic population to delipidified cell components of Mycobacterium leprae. Lepr Rev 65(1):34-44, 1994. e-Pub 1994.
- Mahadevan PR, Robinson P. Molecular biology of host susceptibility to leprosy in relation to surface properties of macrophages. DAE Symposium on Molecular Biology of Microorganisms. National Chemical Laboratory, Pune:169-176, 1992. e-Pub 1992.
- Mahadevan PR, Robinson P, Vermani M, Pardhy A, Joshi S. Delipidified cell component of Mycobacterium leprae and its applications. Ind J Lep 63(3,4):371-387, 1991. e-Pub 1991.
- Marolia J, Robinson P, Mahadevan PR. A complex component modulating immune deficient cells in leprosy patients leading to loss of viability of M. Leprae - a possible vaccine. Clin Exptl Immunol 79:7-14, 1990. e-Pub 1990.
- Mahadevan PR, Robinson P. An antigenic complex that restores the ability in leprosy patients to kill Mycobacterium leprae - the probable molecular events identified by in vitro experiments. Trop Med & Parasitol 41(3):310-313, 1990. e-Pub 1990.
- Robinson P, Mahadevan PR. A component of M. leprae as immunodulating agent for immune deficient cells of leprosy patients. J Clin Lab Immunol 24:171-176, 1987. e-Pub 1987.
Review Articles
- Coveñas, R, Rodríguez, FD, Robinson, P, Muñoz, M. The Repurposing of Non-Peptide Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists as Antitumor Drugs. International journal of molecular sciences 24(21), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 37958914.
- Robinson, P, Rosso, M, Muñoz, M. Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonists as a Potential Novel Therapeutic Option for Osteosarcoma Patients. Journal of Clinical Medicine 12(6), 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 36983138.
- Robinson, P, Coveñas, R, Muñoz, M. Combination Therapy of Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy and the Neurokinin-1 Receptor Antagonist Aprepitant. Current Medicinal Chemistry 30(16):1798-1812, 2023. e-Pub 2023. PMID: 35959620.
Editorials
- Robinson, P, Rodriguez, E, Muñoz, M. Substance P—Friend or Foe. Journal of Clinical Medicine 11(13), 2022. PMID: 35806893.
Abstracts
- Firozgary B, Taffet G, Reynolds C, Pham T, Khumbatta M, Firozgary G, Robinson AP. Role of substance P signaling in the pathogenesis of murine viral myocarditis. Circulation Research 111(4), 2012. e-Pub 2012.
Book Chapters
- White Jr AC, Robinson P, Kuhn R. Taenia solium cysticercosis: Host parasite interactions and the immune response. Freedman DO (ed): Immunopathogenic Aspects of Disease Induced by Helminth Parasites. In: Chem Immun, 209-230, 1997.
Patient Reviews
CV information above last modified June 27, 2025