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Sidath C. Kumarapperuma, PhD, MBA

Associate Professor, Department of Radiology

Dr. Kumarapperuma is a translational imaging scientist with over two decades of experience in drug development, radiopharmaceutical development, and molecular imaging. He serves as Chief of the PET Division at the Research Imaging Institute and Director of Radiochemistry at the Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases.

His work focuses on the design, validation, and clinical translation of novel PET radiotracers targeting neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, cancer, metabolic disorders, and infectious diseases. He also leads efforts in imaging-based vaccine tracking and cell therapy monitoring.

As Director of a cGMP-compliant radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility at UT Health San Antonio, Dr. Kumarapperuma oversees the production of investigational radiopharmaceuticals to support early-phase clinical trials. His strategic leadership is shaped by an Executive MBA from UTSA, enabling him to bridge scientific innovation with regulatory and operational excellence.

The Kumarapperuma Laboratory advances molecular imaging as a translational tool to detect, monitor, and treat inflammation-driven diseases, particularly in brain health and immunotherapy. Through radiotracer development, cGMP production, and early clinical studies, the lab serves as a hub for scientific discovery and therapeutic impact. A core mission is to mentor emerging scientists and promote global access to imaging education.