Don Thushara Galbadage
Associate Professor Texas Christian University
- Fort Worth TX
Dr. Galbadage investigates innovative therapeutic methods to target multidrug resistant pathogens.
Media
Social
Biography
Dr. Galbadage holds a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from Texas A&M University and an M.P.H. in Epidemiology from the University of Texas. His work has contributed to cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, including molecular nanomachines targeting multidrug-resistant pathogens. He collaborates across disciplines to bridge microbiology and neuroscience and is strongly committed to mentoring future scientists. His high-impact publications include studies on antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, nanomedicine-based therapies for infectious diseases and determinants of health leading to disparities in COVID-19 spread.
Areas of Expertise
Accomplishments
Steward Research Faculty Fellow, Biola University, La Mirada
2023
Education
Texas Christian University
B.S.
Biology
2007
The University of Texas
M.P.H.
Epidemiology
2008
Texas A&M University
Ph.D.
Medical Sciences
2017
Affiliations
- American Public Health Association (APHA)
Media Appearances
The 12 best nontoxic cooking utensils in 2026 to replace your plastic spatulas and spoons
Yahoo! Health online
2026-10-13
"Micro- and nanoplastics are now detected in foods, water and even human tissues, but health authorities have not yet defined safe or unsafe levels," says Don Thushara Galbadage, associate professor at Texas Christian University's Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences. "Health regulators currently say exposure levels are not proven to be harmful, but new studies raise questions about possible cardiovascular impacts."
As research evolves, Galbadage recommends caution, not alarm: "The safest course for consumers is not to be alarmed but take precautions, especially with heat, while waiting for definitive answers from ongoing research. Focus on what you can control. While you can't avoid all microplastics, you can reduce exposure by keeping plastics away from heat and replacing worn items." Specifically, Galbadage points to "easy swaps" like reheating food in glass or ceramic food storage containers and using wood or metal kitchen utensils instead of plastic. So if you're ready to replace that spatula with the melted tip or the tongs showing serious wear, here are the best nontoxic kitchen utensils I've tested and now rely on in my home.
How to Dry Your Hands With Just One Paper Towel - and why It Works
Martha Stewart online
2026-10-12
Blot dry by section: Grab a single sheet of paper towel. “Use it to pat and blot the palms, backs of the hands, fingertips, between the fingers, and around the thumbs until the hands feel dry,” says Don Thushara Galbadage, Ph.D., M.P.H. Blot gently to avoid damaging a single sheet.
”A larger or more absorbent towel will generally make it easier to dry both hands with a single sheet, while a very small or thin towel may become saturated before the hands are completely dry,” Galbadage says. If your hands are still wet after using one towel, Galbadage says that “complete drying should take priority” over saving an additional paper towel sheet.
Your kitchen sponge shed plastic every time you wash dishes. Researchers say that's not the biggest problem
Yahoo! Health online
2026-08-21
A few grams a year, of course, are not nothing. "Because sponges are used frequently and undergo repeated abrasion, even relatively small releases can add up across millions of households," says Don Thushara Galbadage, associate professor at the Harris College of Health Sciences & Public Health at Texas Christian University.
Kitchen sponges are unlikely to be a major source of your microplastic exposure, even if that exposure turns out to be harmful to human health. Right now, "we do not have evidence showing that microplastics released from a kitchen sponge specifically cause disease in the person using it," Galbadage says, adding that the practical message is to "reduce unnecessary plastic exposure where it is easy to do so, without becoming anxious about every individual source."
TCU Alumnus Returns to Spearhead Growth in Emerging Public Health Field
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences online
2024-10-18
“I am particularly excited about TCU’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across health care professions,” Galbadage shared. “This approach provides our students with invaluable opportunities to learn how healthcare professionals collaborate in real-world settings.”
Event Appearances
Efficacy of peptides and peptoids against pan-resistant K. pneumoniae
2018 | 3rd Annual Texas A&M Postdoctoral Association (PDA) Research Symposium College Station, TX
Killing Viruses (Bacteriophages) By Molecular Nanomachines
2022 | Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting Virtual
The Patient is a Vital Stakeholder in the Success of Hospital Antibiotic Stewardship Programs
2022 | Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) Research Institute Research Week Virtual
Research Grants
Characterization of Antimicrobial Properties of Molecular Nanomachines
Biola University STH Research Grant
2023
Articles
Phage-encoded cationic antimicrobial peptide required for lysis
Journal of Bacteriology2022
Most phages of Gram-negative bacteria hosts encode spanins for disruption of the outer membrane, which is the last step in host lysis. However, bioinformatic analysis indicates that ∼15% of these phages lack a spanin gene, suggesting they have an alternate way of disrupting the outer membrane (OM). Here, we show that the T7-like coliphage phiKT causes an explosive cell lysis associated with spanin activity despite not encoding spanins. A putative lysis cassette cloned from the phiKT late gene region includes the hypothetical novel gene 28 located between the holin and endolysin genes and supports inducible lysis in Escherichia coli K-12. Moreover, induction of an isogenic construct lacking gene 28 resulted in divalent cation-stabilized spherical cells rather than lysis, implicating gp28 in OM disruption. Additionally, gp28 was shown to complement the lysis defect of a spanin-null λ lysogen.
The vital role of exercise and nutrition in COVID-19 rehabilitation: synergizing strength
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2023
Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the global healthcare community has faced the challenge of understanding and addressing the ongoing and multi-faceted SARS-CoV-2 infection outcomes. As millions of individuals worldwide continue to navigate the complexities of post-hospitalization recovery, reinfection rates, and the increasing prevalence of Long-COVID symptoms, comprehensive COVID-19 rehabilitation strategies are greatly needed. Previous studies have highlighted the potential synergy between exercise and nutrition, suggesting that their integration into patient rehabilitation programs may yield improved clinical outcomes for survivors of COVID-19. Our group aimed to consolidate existing knowledge following the implementation of patient, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) search strategies on the distinct and combined impacts of exercise and nutrition interventions in facilitating the recovery of COVID-19 patients following hospitalization, with a specific focus on their implications for both public health and clinical practice.
Mental health, substance use, and the importance of religion during the COVID-19 pandemic
Mental Health, Religion & Culture2023
COVID-19 has impacted all areas of life, with lasting effects on physical, mental, and societal health. Specifically, COVID and related losses have exacerbated prolonged grief responses and mental disorders including depression and anxiety. These mental health concerns are associated with increased detrimental coping strategies including substance use. In this study, we analysed secondary data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) collected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our results showed a positive association between serious psychological distress and marijuana use, while frequent religious service attendance acted as a moderator in this relationship. Individuals involved in communal religious activity were less likely to use marijuana. This study highlights the impact of religion and faith in bringing hope and purpose during periods of loss, coping with stress, grief, mental health challenges, and substance use.
ORFanID: A web-based search engine for the discovery and identification of orphan and taxonomically restricted genes
PLoS One2023
With the numerous genomes sequenced today, it has been revealed that a noteworthy percentage of genes in a given taxon of organisms in the phylogenetic tree of life do not have orthologous sequences in other taxa. These sequences are commonly referred to as “orphans” or “ORFans” if found as single occurrences in a single species or as “taxonomically restricted genes” (TRGs) when found at higher taxonomic levels. Quantitative and collective studies of these genes are necessary for understanding their biological origins. However, the current software for identifying orphan genes is limited in its functionality, database search range, and very complex algorithmically. Thus, researchers studying orphan genes must harvest their data from many disparate sources. ORFanID is a graphical web-based search engine that facilitates the efficient identification of both orphan genes and TRGs at all taxonomic levels, from DNA or amino acid sequences in the NCBI database cluster and other large bioinformatics repositories.
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol in People With Major Depressive Episodes and Alcohol Use Disorder.
Substance Use & Addiction Journal2024
Objectives: Alcohol use disorder (AUD) and depression are the most commonly reported psychiatric comorbid conditions. We examined trends in the past-year prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol (DUIA) among people with major depressive episodes (MDE), AUD, or both in the United States.
Methods: We analyzed 543,573 individuals aged 18 years or older from the 2005 to 2019 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to examine the adjusted past-year prevalence of DUIA. To assess trends in DUIA over time, average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated.
