The University of the West Indies (UWI) is pleased to announce the promotion of Dr. Dipak J. Shah, Senior lecturer in the Department of Pathology to the rank of Professor of (Anatomical) Pathology effective May 20, 2004.

Born in Jambusar, India, Professor Shah graduated from the M.S. University, Vadodara, India in 1969, with the Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery degree. He then received a Diploma in Clinical Pathology in 1972, also from M.S. University and the Doctor of Medicine in Anatomical Pathology from the UWI in 1978.

Professor Shah was appointed Lecturer in the Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI in 1979 and promoted to Senior Lecturer in 1988. He has served as Head of the Surgical Pathology and Electron Microscopy Units in the Department since 1996 and also as a Senior Consultant Pathologist and Renal Pathologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies since 1979.

Professor Shah is recognized as one of very few experts in the field of renal pathology in the Caribbean. This has been an area of intense research and development over the last three decades, particularly in Jamaica due to the high prevalence of autoimmune renal disease (e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus, a common illness affecting young women in the childbearing age group) and chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. He has been supervising the renal biopsy service since 1979 and the department now boasts an extensive archive of renal pathology indicative of renal diseases in Jamaica. This has supported his research into various aspects of renal pathology particularly sickle cell disease and lupus nephritis.

Professor Shah has collaborated with local nephrologists to produce a steady flow of research. His studies on renal pathology have been acknowledged to represent research of great value as they document and interpret the range of outcomes of renal diseases in Jamaica and compare these with those in other countries. They give a unique view of the Jamaican experience and add to knowledge of geographical pathology and epidemiology. For example, work done at the UHWI has resulted in the recognition of HTLV-1 associated nephritis in childhood, the first documentation of renal disease in HTLV-1 carriers in the Caribbean.

Professor Shah has authored 34 papers and 12 abstracts published in peer-reviewed journals and have presented 23 papers at various conferences, the majority concerning renal diseases. He has been actively involved as a teacher in the undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes in the department and also plays an active role in the department’s diagnostic services.

With respect to service to the University, Professor Shah serves as a member of the Specialty Board in Pathology for Postgraduate Training and as a member of the Faculty of Medical Science’s Board. He is also a member of the Medical Committee and the Blood Transfusion and Laboratory Committee of the University Hospital of the West Indies.

He also serves the wider society as a member of the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine in the Ministry of Health.

Professor Shah’s work has been recognized by his peers. He served as President of the Jamaica Association of Clinical Pathologists for two terms from 2001 to 2003 and is a member of the International Society of Nephrology from 1987 and has been a member of the Medical Association of Jamaica since 1992.