Dr. Umar Ahmad Sheikh

Scientist, Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA

Dr. Umar Ahmad Sheikh is currently working as a Scientist at the Department of Dermatology, Wisconsin Institutes For Medical Research, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, United States, and is involved in research projects aimed at understanding the "Developmental Genetics of Planar Cell Polarity in Mammalian Skin".  With more than 6 years of work experience as part of a team, Dr. Umar completed his doctoral research studies at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu, India where his research interests were focused at "Understanding the Interplay of Autophagy and DNA Damage Response Mechanism in the Regulation of Ultraviolet-(B)-Induced Skin Photodamage".  Dr. Umar's thesis work mechanistically elucidated the role of interventional autophagy as a promising therapeutic strategy against the Skin photodamage disorders.  Dr. Umar published his research findings in various international journals of repute and also presented his work in a number of scientific conferences. He was previously awarded for his research works and has received Best Research Paper Award at the Annual Awards presented by CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine Jammu, India. Besides, he has also received various awards for his academic and research distinction including Visiting Fellowship Award from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, US, DST-INSPIRE Fellowship Award from Ministry of Science and Technology Government of India, Gold Medal of Excellence in Master's degree from BGSB University Rajouri, India among many other awards. He also serves as an Editor and Reviewer to various international journals besides holding membership of a number of scientific organisations including American Association for Cancer Research, European Society for Photobiology, International Society for Development and Sustainability and Health Physics Society (HPS). Outside the lab, Dr. Umar enjoys playing cricket and traveling on long expeditions. He is a nature lover.