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
