Project Description

Sripadh B. Sharma, MD, PhD

Biography

Dr. Sharma was born in Bristol, UK and spent the formative years of his childhood in Tamil Nadu, IN. His family settled in West Virginia, where he completed his secondary and collegiate schooling. At West Virginia University, Sripadh conducted organometallic catalysis research under Dr. Xiaodong Michael Shi which bore several high impact papers and his senior thesis in “Triazoles in Organic Synthesis and Organogold Catalysis with Triazole-Au (I).” He graduated summa cum laude as a University Honors Scholar with Bachelors of Sciences in both Chemistry and Biology. Excited to pursue formal training as a physician-scientist, he matriculated at Northwestern Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) in the summer of 2013. During his time at Northwestern, Sripadh married his interests in chemistry and biology by using nanoparticles to modulate the immune system as a potential treatment for traumatic CNS injuries under the tutelage of Dr. John A. Kessler. Using multiple methodologies in unison including whole-animal electrophysiologic recording, cellular/molecular biology techniques, magnetic resonance imaging, and a variety of surgical techniques, Dr. Sharma and colleagues showed a stark preservation of neural tissue and function in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Culminating in several projects, his PhD thesis dissertation “Anatomical and Functional Neuroprotection in Traumatic Brain Injury” also bore a use-patent (pending) for the use of PLGA-COOH in TBI. Becoming more interested in the technical aspects of surgery, regenerative medicine, and cellular/molecular biology in neuroscience, Dr. Sharma, aided and mentored by Dr. Arun K. Gosain, found the field of plastic surgery to be a perfect fit for his professional scientific pursuits.

Why Pitt?

The University of Pittsburgh Department of Plastic Surgery has the premier residency training program with everything I want for my foundational base as an aspiring plastic surgeon-scientist: world-renowned faculty in multiple disciplines, cutting-edge clinical and basic science research, and an unparalleled surgical volume. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to be a part of this department, with its rich record of training many past and current leaders in the field and a historic pedigree showcasing the unmatched commitment to resident success. In addition, Pitt’s collegial and friendly dynamic truly makes it feel like a family.

Awards

  • 2022 Induction into Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • 2020 NIH NINDS R01 Award (co-wrote w/Dr. Jack Kessler), Immune- modifying nanoparticles for the treatment of traumatic brain injury (R01) 5R01NS117476-02
  • 2018 Northwestern MSTP Top Diagnosis Team
  • 2018-2019 Ruth L. Kirschstein Individual Predoctoral National Research Service Award (NIH/NINDS F31 NS105451-02)
  • 2013-2015 Northwestern University Medical Scientist Training Program, Training Grant (NIH/NIGMS T32GM008152)
  • 2013 Graduated Summa Cum Laude, B.S. Chemistry, West Virginia University
  • 2013 Graduated, Summa Cum Laude, B.S. Biology, West Virginia University
  • 2013 University Honors Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2013 West Virginia University Outstanding Senior Award Winner, West Virginia
  • 2011 NanoSURE Symposium Winner, West Virginia University
  • 2009-2013 President’s List, West Virginia University
  • 2009 Presidential Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2009 Promise Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2009 Laidley Memorial Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2009 Valedictorian Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2009 Eberly College of Arts and Sciences Scholar, West Virginia University
  • 2006-2007 Junior Science and Humanities Symposium Finalist, West Virginia, Wesleyan College
  • 2006-2007 Junior Researcher at National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO),f Pocahontas, West Virginia

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

  1. Patel M, Kirchner A, Sharma S, Garg S, Kovach T, Park B, Lio P. A Quality Assessment of Youtube Videos on Sclerosing Disorders. J. Dermatol. 2021 Jul 21. doi: 10.1111/ijd.15810.
  2. Sharma S & Gosain AK. Suggested Core Plastic Surgery Exam for Applicants to Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency Programs. Reconstr.Surg.2021Oct1;148(4):693e-694e.doi: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008365.
  3. Sharma S, Ifergan I, Linsenmeier R, Xu D, Cooper JG, Miller S, Kessler J. Intravenous immunomodulatory nanoparticle treatment for traumatic brain injury. Ann Neurol. 2020 Mar;87(3):442-455. doi: 10.1002/ana.25675. Epub 2020 Jan 22.
  4. Sharma S. Anatomical and Functional Neuroprotection in Traumatic Brain Injury. Ph.D. Dissertation. Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program. 2019 July 11.
  5. Cooper JG, Sicard D, Sharma S, Van Gulden S, McGuire TL, Cajiao MP, Tschumperlin DJ, Kessler JA. Spinal Cord Injury Results in Chronic Mechanical Stiffening. J Neurotrauma. 2020 Feb 1;37(3):494-506. doi: 10.1089/neu.2019.6540. Epub 2019 Oct 18.
  6. Cooper JG, Jeong SJ, McGuire TL, Sharma S, Wang W, Bhattacharyya S, Varga J, Kessler JA. Fibronectin EDA forms the chronic fibrotic scar after contusive spinal cord injury. Neurobiol Dis. 2018 Aug;116:60-68. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.04.014. Epub 2018 Apr 27.
  7. Jeong SJ, Cooper JG, Ifergan I, McGuire TL, Xu D, Hunter Z, Sharma S, McCarthy D, Miller SD, Kessler JA. Intravenous immune-modifying nanoparticles as a therapy for spinal cord injury in mice. Neurobiol Dis. 2017 Dec;108:73-82. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.006. Epub 2017 Aug 18.
  8. Cai R, Wang D, Chen Y, Yan W, Geise NR, Sharma S, Li H, Petersen JL, Li M, Shi X. Facile synthesis of fluorescent active triazapentalenes through gold-catalyzed triazole-alkyne cyclization. Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 Jul 14;50(55):7303-5. doi: 10.1039/c4cc03175j.
  9. Wang D, Cai R, Sharma S, Jirak J, Thummanapelli SK, Akhmedov NG, Zhang H, Liu X, Petersen JL, Shi X. “Silver effect” in gold(I) catalysis: an overlooked important factor. J Am Chem Soc. 2012 May 30;134(21):9012-9. doi: 10.1021/ja303862z. Epub 2012 May 18.

Areas of Interest

Hand and peripheral nerve surgery, craniofacial surgery, and complex reconstruction.