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    Sharmila Upadhya, MBBS, MD, DNB (Diplomate of National Board)

    • Chair
    • Co-Content Manager
    • Professor
    • Full Time Faculty
    Researcher
    • School of Medicine
      • Researcher, School of Medicine
      • Basic Sciences
        • Biochemistry
    Sharmila Upadhya
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    Bio

    Dr. Sharmila Upadhya is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Biochemistry at St. George’s University School of Medicine. She is the co-content manager for Biochemistry and Nutrition. She has been involved in reorienting learning objectives to align with content that is relevant and applicable to medical education.​

    Her interests are Medical Education, innovation in teaching methods, and curriculum delivery. She teaches Metabolism, Nutrition, clinical and applied aspects of Biochemistry, and Genetics in Terms 1 and 2 in the School of Medicine. She also teaches in the Genetics course for Premedical Sciences.

    Professional Philosophy

    My professional philosophy as a medical educator is centered on fostering the development of knowledgeable, compassionate, and ethical physicians. I believe that effective medical education should integrate foundational scientific knowledge with clinical relevance, encouraging students to think critically and apply what they learn to patient care. Creating a supportive and engaging learning environment is essential so that students feel comfortable asking questions, participating in discussions, and developing intellectual curiosity.

    I strive to use interactive and student-centered teaching approaches that promote active learning and deeper understanding. I also view mentorship as an important part of medical education, guiding students not only in academics but also in professionalism, integrity, and lifelong learning.

    Providing constructive feedback and encouraging self-reflection are key aspects of my teaching approach. As medicine and medical education continue to evolve, I remain committed to continuous professional development to enhance my teaching and contribute to the growth of future physicians.

    Research & Interests

    • Medical Education
    • Cancer
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Genetic Disorders
    • Nutrition

    Affiliations

    • Association of Biochemistry Educators (ABE), Member
    • International Association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE), Member

    Academic Degrees

    • MBBS: Government Medical College, Mysore, India
    • MD: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India
    • DNB (Diplomate of National Board): National Board of Examinations in Medical Sciences (NBEMS), India

    Administrative Appointments

    • Chair, Department of Biochemistry

    Course Teachings

    • SOM BPM 500
    • SOM BPM 501
    • SOM PCM 501
    • BIOL 320 (Genetics, Premed and SAS)

    Memberships in Associations / Societies

    • Association of Biochemistry educators (ABE)
    • International association of Medical Science Educators (IAMSE)

    Academic Appointments

    • Professor, Department of Biochemistry
    • Co-content manager, Biochemistry, Year 1 SOM

    Journal Articles

    • Vanasse, A. M., Weiler, T., Roth, E. A., Upadhya, S., Toriello, H. V., VanLeuven, A. J., Norris, J. R., Carey, J. C., & Sobering, A. K. (2022). Teaching perspectives on the communication of difficult news of genetic conditions to medical students. American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.63003
    • Verdi, G., Li, D., Elsea, S. H., Nelson, B., Bhoj, E. J., Hakonarson, H., Yearwood, K. R., Upadhya, S., Gluschitz, S., Smith, J. L. & Sobering, A. K. (2022). A novel unbalanced translocation between chromosomes 5p and 18q leading to dysmorphology and global developmental delay. Molecular Genetics & Genomic Medicine, 10, e1900. https://doi.org/10.1002/mgg3.1900
    • Emily Hays, Jake Levine, Shruthi Rethi, Emily K. Smith, Sharmila Upadhya, Andrew K. Sobering, Tracey Weiler (2018) Reevaluating Biochemistry and Nutrition Education Through Opinions of Clinicians and Educators; Med.Sci.Educ. (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-018-00652-7

    Books

    • Andrew K, Maj MC, Upadhya S. Embracing Social Media Trends: Use of Short-Form Videos in Medical Education [Internet]. Academic Medicine - New Trends and Developments for the 2030s. IntechOpen; 2025. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1010322
    • C. Maj M, Upadhya S. Perspective Chapter: Multifactorial Disorders – Understanding the Risks of Inheritance [Internet]. Genetics. IntechOpen; 2025. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.1010660

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