Prof. Dr. Thejaswini K O: Professor & Head at Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru Rural 562123 Karnataka, India

Title/Designation: Prof. Dr.
Name: Thejaswini K O
Current Role/Designation: Professor & Head
Organization/Institution: Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru Rural 562123, Karnataka, India
Country: India
Subject Track: Medicine
Key Areas of Expertise: Applied Physiology, Diabetes, Medical Education
Award Category: Best Innovator Award

Article Title: Role of plasma Adiponectin in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Article Publication Link: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-025-01608-5

Dr. Thejaswini K O is a distinguished academician, medical researcher, and education innovator with over 16 years of teaching experience, currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Physiology at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Centre, Bengaluru Rural, India. She is recognized for her visionary approach to medical education, combining competency-based learning, technology-enhanced teaching, and research-driven curriculum reforms. Known for her mentorship and leadership, she has successfully guided students and faculty in both clinical and educational research, fostering an environment of academic excellence and innovation.

Online Profile

ORCID Profile

Scopus Profile

Dr. Thejaswini K O is a recognized scholar and academic leader at Sri Siddhartha Academy of Higher Education, Tumkur, India. Her research contributions are indexed in Scopus (ID: 55552192500) and she maintains an active ORCID profile (0000-0002-5732-2823). To date, her work has been cited 33 times across 13 documents, reflecting her influence in medical physiology, diabetes research, and interdisciplinary applications. Her h-index of 4 underscores her growing impact in both clinical and medical education research. Dr. Thejaswini actively collaborates with national and international colleagues, bridging medical science with emerging technology and innovative education practices.

Education

She earned her MBBS from Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur (2002, RGUHS), followed by an MD in Physiology from M S Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore (2009, RGUHS). Her MD dissertation focused on the association of Serum hs-CRP and Ankle-Brachial Index in type 2 diabetics and normal subjects, demonstrating her early interest in clinical research and translational physiology. She has also completed multiple advanced courses in medical education, including BCME, ACME, and CISP, reinforcing her expertise in modern teaching methods and curriculum design.

Research Focus

Dr. Thejaswini’s research spans clinical physiology, diabetes, hypertension, and medical education innovations. She is deeply invested in exploring translational research that bridges laboratory findings with clinical applications, alongside developing strategies for competency-based education. Her work includes integrating digital assessment tools, Early Clinical Exposure, AETCOM programs, and self-directed learning, aimed at improving student engagement, assessment accuracy, and measurable academic outcomes.

Experience

Her professional journey began as a PG Tutor at M S Ramaiah Medical College, progressing through roles as Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor, culminating in her current position as Professor & HOD. She has extensive experience in curriculum design, faculty development, student mentoring, and departmental leadership, including overseeing CBME implementation, institutional accreditation processes, and strategic academic planning. She has also served as Vice Dean for Academics and Student Affairs, College Council Member Secretary, NAAC Coordinator, and resource faculty for multiple MET workshops, demonstrating her multi-faceted leadership and administrative capabilities.

Research Timeline & Activities

Since 2006, Dr. Thejaswini has actively engaged in research and academic initiatives, presenting 14 research papers at state, national, and international forums, and publishing 22 peer-reviewed articles, including 13 in international journals. She contributed a book chapter on Big Data in Medical Analytics (IGI Global, 2023) and served as a reviewer for textbooks on physical examination and history taking. She has mentored numerous undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, participated in advanced courses in medical education, and led collaborative initiatives to implement evidence-based practices in medical teaching and learning.

Awards & Honors

Dr. Thejaswini has been recognized for her academic contributions and innovation in medical education, notably receiving a Letter of Commendation for her exemplary role in the Advanced Course in Medical Education (ACME, 2024A). Her achievements highlight her commitment to improving educational outcomes, integrating innovative teaching practices, and providing mentorship to the next generation of medical professionals. She is also acknowledged for her ability to navigate changing educational environments with adaptability and a solution-oriented approach.

Recent Publication

One of Dr. Thejaswini’s most impactful contributions is the book chapter “The Suggested Use of Big Data in Medical Analytics”, published in IGI Global (2023, pp. 275–280). This work showcases her ability to combine clinical research with emerging technological trends, emphasizing the potential of data analytics to transform medical practice and research. In addition, her numerous publications in indexed international and national journals demonstrate her sustained commitment to advancing knowledge in physiology, diabetes research, and medical education.

  • Role of plasma adiponectin in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus, International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries, 2026-01-15, DOI: 10.1007/s13410-025-01608-5. This study investigates the link between plasma adiponectin levels and PAD in type 2 diabetic patients, highlighting its potential as a biomarker for cardiovascular risk management.

  • IoT and Supply Chain Management: Enhancing Efficiency and Security through Smart Technologies, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Computational Intelligence and Communication Technologies (CCICT 2025), DOI: 10.1109/CCICT65753.2025.00122. Dr. Thejaswini collaborated on exploring IoT applications for improving efficiency and security in supply chain systems, demonstrating interdisciplinary expertise bridging healthcare and technology.

  • Scope of Blockchain in Building a Decentralized Approach for Political Ecosystems, Proceedings of CCICT 2025, DOI: 10.1109/CCICT65753.2025.00047. This work addresses decentralized systems and their potential applications beyond healthcare, reflecting Dr. Thejaswini’s interest in innovative computational models.

  • The Impact of Electromagnetic and Optical Radiation on Physical and Biological Systems, Journal of Nano and Electronic Physics, 2025, DOI: 10.21272/jnep.17(4).04012. The publication explores interactions of electromagnetic and optical radiation with biological systems, emphasizing translational implications for biomedical research.

  • Innovations and Risks in Decentralized Finance (DeFi) for Blockchain-Based Healthcare Systems, Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Technological Advancements in Computational Sciences (ICTACS 2024), DOI: 10.1109/ICTACS62700.2024.10841326. This research examines how blockchain and DeFi can revolutionize healthcare systems, highlighting Dr. Thejaswini’s interdisciplinary approach in integrating medical science with digital innovations.

Title: Role of plasma adiponectin in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus

  • Authors: M. S. Roopakala, K. O. Thejaswini, Arun Kumar Mohan, K. M. Prasanna Kumar, P. Srinivas & Vivek Veeraiah

  • Journal: International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries

  • Publication Date: 15 January 2026

  • Type: Original research article

  • Study Design: Cross-sectional

Novelty of the Study

  1. Focus on adiponectin in diabetic PAD:

    • Although adiponectin has been widely studied in diabetes and cardiovascular disease, its specific role in PAD among T2DM patients is not well established.

  2. Use of ABI to define PAD:

    • ABI is a simple, non-invasive vascular assessment. This study correlates ABI with adiponectin and inflammatory markers, which is less commonly reported.

  3. Combination of renal, metabolic, and vascular markers:

    • Evaluating urine albumin, hs-CRP, and adiponectin together provides a more comprehensive assessment of vascular and renal microvascular health in T2DM.

  4. Correlation analysis within PAD subgroup:

    • The study identifies a negative correlation between adiponectin and urine albumin specifically in patients with low ABI, hinting at a renal microvascular protective role rather than macrovascular PAD effect.

Impact / Significance

  1. Clinical relevance:

    • Confirms that glycemic control (HbA1c) and systemic inflammation (hs-CRP) are more critical markers of PAD risk in T2DM than plasma adiponectin.

    • Highlights urine albumin as a potential early vascular risk marker that may interact with adiponectin.

  2. Scientific contribution:

    • Provides evidence that total plasma adiponectin may not be a reliable marker for PAD in T2DM.

    • Suggests future research should focus on adiponectin isoforms or other adipocytokines.

  3. Research directions:

    • Larger, longitudinal studies to track PAD progression.

    • Exploration of high-molecular-weight adiponectin in diabetic vascular complications.

    • Integration with inflammatory and oxidative stress markers to understand complex mechanisms.

Strengths for Best Innovator Award

Transformational Medical Education

Implemented Competency-Based Medical Education (CBME) with Early Clinical Exposure, AETCOM programs, self-directed learning, and digital assessments.

Enhances student engagement, clinical skills, and measurable learning outcomes.

Translational Clinical Research

Advanced studies on diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and novel biomarkers (adiponectin, hs-CRP, urine albumin).

Bridges laboratory research with clinical applications for early risk detection and improved patient care.

Interdisciplinary Technology Integration

Applied Big Data analytics, IoT, blockchain, and DeFi in healthcare and medical education.

Demonstrates innovation at the intersection of medicine and emerging technologies.

Mentorship and Capacity Building

Guided numerous students and faculty in research, clinical projects, and educational reforms.

Cultivates a new generation of innovators and ensures sustainable academic growth.

Strategic Academic Leadership

Held roles including Professor & HOD, Vice Dean, NAAC Coordinator, leading curriculum reform, accreditation, and institutional planning.

Combines visionary leadership with actionable innovation, driving systemic impact.

Thejaswini K O, Medicine, Best Innovator Award