Veterans Medical Research Foundation

Sameer B. Shah

Credentials:

• Ph. D. (Bioengineering, UCSD, 2002)

• M.S. (Bioengineering, UCSD, 1999)

• S.B. (Mechanical Engineering, MIT, 1997, Minor in Biomedical Engineering)

Current Position(s): 

• Research Health Scientist, VA

• Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, UCSD

Personal Statement: 

Dr. Shah directs the Neuromuscular Bioengineering Laboratory, a cross-disciplinary research group consisting of orthopaedic surgery residents, basic science postdocs, graduate students, and undergraduates from the biological sciences and engineering. His multidisciplinary research program synthesizes his previous experience in mechanical engineering, physiology and biomechanics, and neurobiology. Multidisciplinary aspects of Dr. Shah's program converge in the context of neuronal development, disease, and repair. In particular, his work has implications for orthopedic surgery, neuromuscular repair, and understanding cascades of neurodegeneration, including those associated with peripheral neuropathy.  Spurred by a desire to translate Dr. Shah lab's research in fundamental bioengineering and biology into a clinical context, he transferred from Maryland to San Diego, where Dr. Shah has developed strong collaborations with colleagues at VA San Diego, UCSD and in the broader San Diego area. These interactions will benefit from Dr. Shah's existing experience in quantitative biology, biomechanics, and bioengineering as well as Dr. Shah's evolving lab emphasis and expertise on translational research.

Professional History:

• 1997-2002        Graduate Student, Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego (UCSD),                                             La Jolla, CA

• 2002-2006        Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California-                                           San Diego, La Jolla CA

• 2006-2011        Assistant Professor, Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland,                                                           College Park, MD

• 2006-2011        Assistant Professor, Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Graduate Program,                                                                       University of Maryland, College Park, MD

• 2011-2016        Assistant Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California-San                                                 Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA

• 2013- present   Biomedical Engineer, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA (GS-13)

• 2016-present    Associate Professor, Orthopaedic Surgery and Bioengineering, University of California-San                                               Diego (UCSD), La Jolla, CA

• 2018-present    Research Health Scientist, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA (GS-14)

Education:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology    S.B.    1997    Mechanical Engineering

• University of California-San Diego    M.S.    1999    Bioengineering

• University of California-San Diego    Ph.D.    2002    Bioengineering

• University of California-San Diego    Postdoc.    2002-2006    Neurobiology

Honors/Awards:

• 1996-1997        Pi Tau Sigma Honor Society for Mechanical Engineering

• 1998-2001        National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Student Fellowship

• 2000                  UCSD Bioengineering Excellent Teaching Assistant of the Year

• 2004-2006        NIH Kirschstein-NRSA Postdoctoral Fellowship

• 2012                  University of Maryland Gemstone Program Outstanding Mentor

• 2013                  Selected to UCSD National Council for Leadership in Academic Medicine Program

• 2015                  Research Highlighted by Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program

• 2020                  Research selected for inclusion in Armed Forces Institute of Regenerative Medicine
                            (AFIRM3)

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