Umesh Sharma M.D., Ph.D.

Umesh Sharma

Umesh Sharma
M.D., Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Department of Medicine

Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences


Specialty/Research Focus

Cardiac pharmacology; Cardiology; Cardiovascular Disease; Drug Development; Gene Expression; Inflammation; Internal Medicine; Preclinical MRI; Radiation Oncology; Translational imaging

Contact Information
Clinical & Translational Research Center
875 Ellicott Street
Room 7030
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-2663
Fax: 716-854-1840
sharmau@buffalo.edu


Patient Care

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

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Professional Summary:

I am a cardiologist with specialized training in advanced cardiac imaging. I see outpatients at the Heart and Lung Center of Buffalo General Medicine Center (BGMC), and I care for inpatients through the cardiology consult and inpatient services at BGMC. As an advanced imaging cardiologist, I am responsible for developing and advancing the cardiac computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) programs at the Gates Vascular Institute (GVI) and providing these services to patients. These advanced, noninvasive imaging techniques allow physicians to perform in-depth, 3-D evaluation of the coronary tree, myocardium, heart valves, pericardium and great vessels. These imaging tools allow for the best possible diagnoses and care of patients.

My research spans basic science, translational and clinical fields and combines the cross-discipline expertise on magnetic resonance (MR) technology with molecular biology. My overall goal is to study the consequences of ischemia-induced myocardial injury, with a focus on their therapeutic reversal. My research laboratory at UB’s Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC) is devoted to the development of novel time-and-tissue-targeted MRI methods for integrative understanding of cardiovascular pathophysiology in preclinical models. We have several interesting research projects, e.g., we have recently discovered that the presence of high-risk plaques in the carotid arteries predict future incidence of myocardial infarction and stroke. The results emphasize that the nature of atherosclerosis and the use of comprehensive non-invasive computed tomography angiography (CTA) will help identify patients who are at higher risk of developing ischemic stroke. These research results will help physicians employ early therapeutic strategies for these high-risk patients.

I mentor medical students, residents and fellows both in clinical and research settings, and I precept cardiology fellows at the Heart and Lung Center at BGMC. In addition, I am deeply engaged in furthering the research and clinical education of our house staff. Our trainees have published their research in highly esteemed peer-reviewed journals, and many have routinely presented their work at national and international scientific conferences. I am committed to facilitating the career goals of my mentees while I continue to advance my own career as a clinician, researcher and mentor.

Education and Training:

  • Fellowship, Advanced Cardiac Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital (2013)
  • Fellowship, Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Louisville (2012)
  • Residency, Internal Medicine, Chicago Medical School (2009)
  • PhD, Molecular mechanisms of heart failure, University of Maasricht (2005)
  • MS, Medical Immunology, University of London (2002)
  • Tribhuvan University (2000)

Employment:

  • Associate Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University Of New York (2022-present)
  • Assistant Professor, Medicine, University at Buffalo, State University of New York (2013–2022)

Awards and Honors:

  • Annual Meeting of the Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research-Travel Award (2018)
  • Emerging Investigator: Circulation Heart Failure (2018)
  • Outstanding Resident (2009)
  • Professionalism Award (2009)

Research Expertise:

  • Biomarkers
  • Cardiac fibrosis and remodeling
  • Cardiac MRI and CT
  • Cardio-Oncology
  • Galectin-3 as a Risk-Predictor of Sudden Cardiac Arrest
  • Post-Infarct Myocardial Remodeling
  • Prevention of Radiation-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Research Centers:

  • Center for Research in Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Clinical and Translational Research Center (CTRC)

Grants and Sponsored Research:

  • March 2021–March 2026
    Immunomodulation of Galectin-3 to Prevent Radiation-Induced Myocardial Fibrogenesis
    NHLBI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $1,726,588
  • July 2017–June 2022
    National Institutes of Health/NHLBI, K08
    NHLBI
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $986,850
  • July 2018–June 2020
    Activating Adrenergic Receptors to Suppress the Anti-graft Immune Response and Improve Survival of Composite Tissue Allografts.
    National Institutes of Health/SBIB
    Role: Consultant
    $356,467
  • April 2018–February 2020
    Liposomal Delivery of a Novel Peptide N-Acetyl-Ser-Asp-Lys-Pro to Inhibit Cancer Radiotherapy-Induced Cardiac Damage.
    National Institutes of Health/NHLBI
    Role: Consultant
    $462,000
  • April 2014–April 2015
    Innovative Micro-Programs Accelerating Collaboration in Themes (IMPACT)
    University of Buffalo
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $29,000
  • January 2006–June 2006
    American Heart Association, Pre-Doctoral Fellowship Grant
    Americah Heart Association
    Role: Principal Investigator
    $50,000

Journal Articles:

See all (50 more)

Abstracts:

  • Papadopoulos G, Vakkalanka S, Adib K, Sharma U,Page BJ. (2016) Clinical utility of coronary computed tomography angiography to evaluate patients with mildly elevated troponins without clinically manifest acute coronary syndrome. J Am College of Card, (Jan)

Presentations:

  • "Cancer Therapy-Induced Cardiotoxicities: Virtuous Intentions, Malign Consequences" Research Conference-University of Minnesota (2023)
  • "Radiation-Induced Cardiac Damage and Its Management" American Physiological Society Annual Conference (2023)
  • "Early Detection and Therapeutic Modulation of Radiation-Induced Heart Disease" First International Society of Cardio-Oncology (2022)

Service Activities:

  • KL2 Leadership Team Member; Buffalo Translational Consortium.; Member (2019–present)
  • Central Society for Clinical and Translational Research; Member (2018–present)

School News:

In the Media:


Clinical Specialties:

Clinical Offices:

Insurance Accepted:



Contact Information

Clinical & Translational Research Center
875 Ellicott Street
Room 7030
Buffalo, New York 14203
Phone: 716-829-2663
Fax: 716-854-1840
sharmau@buffalo.edu

This faculty member is affiliated with UBMD, practicing physicians who are also professors in the Jacobs School.

View this physician on UBMD