Abul K. Azad

Dr. Abul K. Azad is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Pathology at Montefiore Medical Center. He holds an MD from Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh, an MSc in Biotechnology from Asian Institute of Technology (Thailand), and a PhD in Human Genetics from Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (Belgium). His postdoctoral training included roles at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (Canada) and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (USA). He specializes in Medical Genetics, Cancer Genetics, and Pharmacogenomics, with a focus on genetic markers in cancer prognosis and treatment.

His research spans cystic fibrosis pathophysiology, genomic/proteomic diagnostics for cancers, and pharmacogenetic markers for anti-cancer therapies. He established NGS-based carrier screening protocols at Montefiore and improved cytogenetic protocols for blood cancers. He has published over 30 high-impact articles, with major contributions in molecular oncology and clinical genetics.

• Key Achievements:
  • Developed chitosan membrane wound dressing during MSc
  • Identified ENaC gene variants linked to cystic fibrosis-like disorders
  • Validated BRM promoter polymorphisms as cancer risk markers
• Awards: ABMGG/LGG Fellowship

Dr. Azad has mentored numerous physicians and students, and his work bridges molecular genetics with clinical applications in cancer medicine.