Ashish K Sharma, MD, PhD

Dr. Sharma is a basic and translational medical scientist with a background in immunology, cell biology, molecular biology and pulmonary physiology. He joined UF in June 2018 and is now currently serving as a professor, with tenure, in the Department of Surgery. Prior to joining UF, Dr. Sharma was a faculty member in Department of Surgery at University of Virginia since 2004. He received his PhD from University of Virginia and completed his medical graduation from MR Medical College, Gulbarga, India.

The research in Dr. Sharma's laboratory focuses on defining the molecular and signal transduction mechanisms of acute lung injury (i.e. ischemia-reperfusion injury or primary graft dysfunction) after lung transplantation as well as investigating the pathophysiology of aortic aneurysms. The main focus of his research is to decipher the contribution of purinergic signaling via pannexin and transient receptor potential channels, decipher the cell-specific signaling mechanisms of efferocytosis and ferroptosis via specialized proresolving lipid mediators in resolution of tissue injury, as well as to implement mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles as a therapeutic strategy in aortic aneurysms and primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation.

He has served as a peer-reviewer for numerous scientific journals. He is an active member of the American Thoracic Society, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, and the American Heart Association. He regularly serves as a reviewer for National Institute of Health study sections as well as international research organizations (United Kingdom and Switzerland). Dr. Sharma has given guest lectures at various academic institutions, serves on editorial board of ATVB, and reviewer for peer-reviewed scientific journals. Dr. Sharma has a strong history in mentorship of 70+ students for teaching and research training of surgery residents, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, medical students and undergraduate students.