Christopher Donnelly is an Assistant Professor at Duke University, specializing in the fields of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Cancer Biology, and Neurobiology. With a background in dentistry and a dual DDS/PhD from the University of Michigan, Donnelly's multifaceted research addresses pain sensory biology, immunology, and cancer biology. His dissertation work focused on the signaling pathways that regulate the development and physiology of peripheral neurons, contributing to the understanding of pain-sensing nociceptors. He has merged his clinical experience as a dentist with his research pursuits, notably in translational immunology focused on the tumor microenvironment in head and neck cancer. His goal is to positively influence the treatment of pathological pain conditions, including cancer-related pain and neuropathic pain, through interdisciplinary research. As the leader of the Neuroimmunology Applied Pain Research Lab, he emphasizes the importance of team-based approaches to unraveling the complexities of pain and inflammation. In addition to his research, Donnelly is also dedicated to education, serving as an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, where he teaches neuroscience to dental students. His active participation in professional societies further reflects his commitment to the fields of pain research and education.