Glia play major roles in disease progression. Dr. N. Chatterjee has initiated a project on astrocytes and its effects on neuronal signaling funded by DST.

The Pathology department has at present 5 Ph.D students affiliated to BITS Pilani working in the various projects. Two students have already submitted their thesis and awaiting award of their degree and are currently doing their postdoctoral fellowship in USA . Adithi Mohan at Columbia University ( New York) Herbert Irving Research Center in the laboratory of Michael Shen and Sudha Balasubramanian at Durham's Research Centre at University of Nebraska School of Medicine, Omaha with Prof Iqbal Ahmad in the area of ocular stem cells. The Ph.D programme was initiated in 2003-2004. Dr. J Biswas and Dr.S.Krishnakumar are both registered as supervisors.