By: Grace Huff
For Dr. Vinata Vedam-Mai, movement has always been more than just physical expression—it has been a lifelong connection to her mother. Growing up in India, her mother ran a small dance school from their home, filling the space with rhythm, creativity, and energy. Dance was woven into every part of her life.
But when Dr. Vedam-Mai was around 19 or 20, that rhythm was disrupted. Her mother began experiencing shoulder pain, which led to a devastating diagnosis: Parkinson’s disease—a name unfamiliar to both her and her father at the time. They had no idea how much it would change their lives.
As the disease progressed, her mother’s independence waned, and her father became her sole caregiver. Witnessing this transformation firsthand, Dr. Vedam-Mai reached a crossroads in her career. While she had the opportunity to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship in a well-known lab, she chose a different path: neuroscience, determined to understand the disease that was reshaping her mother’s life.
Now, as a researcher at the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, Dr. Vedam-Mai leads groundbreaking work in immunotherapy for Parkinson’s disease. A decade ago, the role of the immune system in Parkinson’s was largely dismissed, but today, her research stands at the forefront of innovation. Her work explores novel immune-based therapies, an area that remains largely uncharted yet holds immense potential for transforming treatment.
Beyond the lab, dance remains an integral part of her life. Studies now highlight the benefits of movement therapies like tai chi, yoga, and ballet for Parkinson’s patients—something Dr. Vedam-Mai saw firsthand in her mother, whose sense of balance remained strong until the very end. Today, she continues to teach Bharatanatyam, a classical Indian dance form, keeping her mother’s legacy alive while raising awareness and funds for Parkinson’s research.
Through her resilience and passion, Dr. Vedam-Mai embodies the Fixel Institute’s commitment to advancing neurological research and improving patient care. Her journey—from the dance studio to the research lab—proves that the pursuit of a cure is not just about science, but about honoring the lives it seeks to heal. As she continues her work, she carries with her the enduring words she believes her parents would say: “Don’t give up. You’re not there yet, so keep at it until you find a cure.”