Our team
Srinivas Ayyadevara, PhD.
Dr. Srinivas Ayyadevara is the Founder of AR Therapeutics, where he combines decades of expertise in the biology of aging with a mission to bring forward the next generation of therapies for neurodegenerative and age-related diseases. Trained as a biochemist and molecular biologist, his research has uncovered critical mechanisms of aging, including protein aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and stress-response pathways that underlie Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
As a scientific entrepreneur, Dr. Ayyadevara has a track record of translating discovery into innovation. He led the UAMS research team that identified the potential of ezetimibe, a widely prescribed cholesterol drug, to be repurposed for slowing Alzheimer’s progression. He has also contributed to patents for novel drug candidates designed to inhibit and even reverse protein aggregation, discoveries that serve as a foundation for AR Therapeutics’ pipeline.
Under his leadership, AR Therapeutics is advancing precision approaches targeting GFAP in Alzheimer’s disease and ApoE4-driven risk pathways, setting the company apart from conventional drug developers. By bridging academic excellence with entrepreneurial execution, Dr. Ayyadevara has positioned AR Therapeutics at the forefront of age-related disease drug discovery—driving innovation that aims to extend healthspan and improve the quality of life for millions worldwide.
Sue T Griffin, PhD.
Dr. Sue T. Griffin serves on the Board of Directors of AR Therapeutics and is a pioneering neuroscientist whose discoveries have reshaped how the world understands Alzheimer’s disease and neurodegeneration. A Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), she is best known for establishing the concept of neuroinflammation as a critical driver of Alzheimer’s, revealing how cytokines and glial responses accelerate protein aggregation, neuronal damage, and disease progression. Her groundbreaking research has become a cornerstone in the field, influencing therapeutic strategies across academia and industry.
Over the course of her career, Dr. Griffin has received numerous honors recognizing her scientific impact and leadership. She was inducted into the Arkansas Women’s Hall of Fame, a testament to her role as both a trailblazer in biomedical research and an advocate for advancing women in science. Her contributions have not only advanced fundamental understanding of brain disease but have also shaped the translational direction of therapies aimed at improving the lives of patients and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
As a Board member of AR Therapeutics, Dr. Griffin brings unmatched scientific expertise, visionary leadership, and a lifelong commitment to innovation. Her insights continue to guide the company’s strategy in developing transformative interventions—such as GFAP- and ApoE4-targeted approaches—that address the biological roots of age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Meenakshisundaram Balasubramaniam, PhD.
Meenakshisundaram Balasubramaniam is the Co-Founder of AR Therapeutics, where he directs computational biology and drug discovery programs for neurodegeneration and age-related diseases. His pioneering work has led to the design of GFAP inhibitors that block astrocytic aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease, ApoE4-targeted small molecules that address genetic risk in dementia, and advanced GSK3B modeling to guide the development of next-generation kinase inhibitors.
At AR Therapeutics, he integrates molecular dynamics, AI-driven modeling, and high-throughput screening to accelerate the company’s pipeline from concept to candidate. In addition, he is the Founder of SiBioLEAD LLC, a computational platform that provides cutting-edge discovery tools to biotech and academic partners, further strengthening AR Therapeutics’ innovation engine. Together, his entrepreneurial vision and scientific expertise are helping position the company as a leader in precision medicines for aging and neurodegeneration.
Robert J Shmookler Reis, D.Phil.
Dr. Robert J. Shmookler Reis serves on the Board of Directors of AR Therapeutics and is an internationally recognized geneticist whose discoveries have transformed the biology of aging. A Professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Dr. Reis holds the world record in aging research, having shown that PI3K null mutants of C. elegans live up to 10 times longer than wild-type worms—a breakthrough that revealed how a single genetic pathway can dramatically extend lifespan. This landmark discovery not only set a global benchmark but also provided one of the strongest proofs-of-concept that aging can be slowed, delayed, or potentially reversed by targeted intervention.
Throughout his career, Dr. Reis has built a legacy of identifying genetic determinants of lifespan, stress resistance, and age-related decline, publishing extensively in leading journals and shaping the modern understanding of longevity pathways. His work connects fundamental genetic insights to translational opportunities, inspiring new strategies to manipulate conserved mechanisms for therapeutic gain in humans.
At AR Therapeutics, Dr. Reis brings this pioneering vision to the development of age-related disease therapies. His expertise in genetics and molecular biology guides the company’s precision medicine strategies, ensuring they remain rooted in proven biology with transformative potential. For investors and collaborators, his record-setting research underscores the disruptive innovation AR Therapeutics represents: targeting the core mechanisms of aging to redefine healthspan and quality of life.