The Center for Translational Pain Medicine (CTPM) is transforming the way we study, diagnose, and treat painful conditions. The CTPM brings together, under one umbrella, a diverse team of basic science and clinical researchers with complementary expertise in pain neurobiology, molecular genetics, neuroimaging, epidemiology, and bioinformatics to make exciting new discoveries in the areas of pain mechanisms and management. The CTPM extends into Duke Anesthesiology’s clinical innovative pain therapy program to achieve a common core mission of improving patient care.

Incorporating basic science, clinical research and pain management with three primary goals:

Dr. Ji in lab

Research

Understanding the pathophysiological processes that mediate persistent pain conditions and translating new discoveries into clinical practice.
University Medical students Learning About The Brain

Education

Creating high-quality educational programming for clinical and research professionals and the public.
Woman receiving facial massage

Patient Care

Providing high-quality comprehensive, primary and specialized care to individuals with a variety of acute and chronic pain conditions, including orofacial pain.

Updates & Announcements

Duke Anesthesiology Awarded Program Project Grant

Two CTPM Faculty Awarded a 2020 DREAM Innovation Grant

Pain Journal Club
First Friday of the month
12 – 1 PM | GSRBIII 6130

Stay up-to-date on the latest pain-related news, research & events:
USASP | IASP | NIH Pain Consortium | Pain Research Forum

Tradition • Innovation • Translation

CTPM News

Padma Gulur, MD

Dr. Gulur Earns Prestigious Innovation Award

Congratulations to Padma Gulur, MD, on receiving the Harwick Innovation Award from the Medical Group Management Association for her development of the Anesthesia Resource Management System – an innovative approach to optimize anesthesia resources through a utilization-based model.
Sangsu Bang, PhD

Dr. Bang Awarded NIH Grant for Craniofacial Pain Research

Congratulations to Sangsu Bang, PhD, on receiving a $322,000 R03 grant from the National Institutes of Health for his project that proposes a novel molecular mechanism for the resolution of tertiary pain, ultimately advancing the understanding of how neurogenic inflammation is controlled.
Andrea Nackley, PhD and Nathaniel Hernandez, BS

Faculty, Fellow Awarded NIH Grant for Chronic Pain Study

Congratulations to Drs. Andrea Nackley and Nathaniel Hernandez (fellow), on receiving a $128,409 fellowship grant from the National Institutes of Health for their project aimed at advancing the understanding of the epigenetic basis for chronic primary pain conditions and elucidating new therapeutic targets.
Andrea Nackley, PhD

Dr. Nackley Awarded Novel Pain Therapeutics Grant

Congratulations to Andrea Nackley, PhD, on being awarded a $374,887 grant from the UNC Eshelman Institute for Innovation for her study that aims to advance promising new analgesics for chronic primary pain conditions into clinical trials.
Niccolò Terrando, PhD

Dr. Terrando NIH Grant Renewed to Advance Delirium Research

Congratulations to Niccolò Terrando, PhD, on receiving a $4,311,630 R01 renewal grant from the National Institutes of Health for his study aimed at clarifying molecular and cellular mechanisms that drive the onset of delirium and developing novel therapeutics.
Dr. Padma Gulur

Pain Management Gets the Green Light

Duke University School of Medicine’s Magnify magazine features Duke anesthesiologist, Dr. Padma Gulur, and her new research about the benefits of green light therapy for those with anxiety and pain.
Ru-Rong Ji, PhD and Evan Kharasch, MD, PhD

Duke Anesthesiology Faculty Among Highly Cited Researchers of 2022

Duke Anesthesiology’s Ru-Rong Ji, PhD, and Evan Kharasch, MD, PhD, are among the 30 Duke scientists named to the 2022 list of “Highly Cited Researchers” – an annual listing of pioneers in their field who represent the most influential researchers in the world.
Sven-Eric Jordt, PhD

Dr. Jordt Awarded NIH Grant to Study New Tobacco Products

Congratulations to Sven-Eric Jordt, PhD, on receiving a $416,512 R56 grant for his project that will examine the chemical composition, toxicity and behavioral effects of “tobacco-free” nicotine pouches - a new tobacco product category with growing popularity in youth and young adults.