Sheiphali Gandhi

Sheiphali Gandhi, MD, MPH is an Assistant Professor at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) in the School of Medicine. She holds dual board certification in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine and Occupational and Environmental Medicine, with appointments in the Divisions of Occupational, Environmental, and Climate Medicine and Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep, and Allergy Medicine. She serves as the Associate Director of the San Francisco Veteran's Association Post-Deployment Cardiopulmonary Evaluation Network, assessing veterans with military exposures in Southwest Asia.

Dr. Gandhi's educational background includes:

• MD from Indiana University School of Medicine (2012)
• Residency and Chief Residency in Internal Medicine at University of Minnesota School of Medicine (2015)
• Clinical Fellowship in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (2019)
• MPH from University of California Berkeley School of Public Health (2020)
• Residency (Fellowship) in Occupational and Environmental Medicine at University of California San Francisco (2021)

Dr. Gandhi's research focuses on occupational and environmental respiratory diseases, with particular emphasis on silicosis and interstitial lung disease among engineered stone countertop fabrication workers. Her work has highlighted the epidemic of silicosis among immigrant workers in this industry and the occupational/environmental contributions to health disparities in respiratory diseases. She employs complex occupational exposure assessments to understand pulmonary fibrosis and pneumoconiosis, with a strong commitment to protecting vulnerable workers from preventable occupational illnesses.

Her recent publications demonstrate a clear trend in occupational lung disease research, particularly focused on the emerging epidemic of silicosis among engineered stone workers. Her work spans epidemiological studies, systematic reviews, and clinical case reports that have significantly contributed to understanding the scope of this occupational health crisis. Dr. Gandhi's research bridges clinical medicine, occupational health, and public policy to address workplace hazards and health disparities.

Dr. Gandhi has received notable recognition for her work:

• Irene Perstein Award (2024) from the UCSF School of Medicine, awarded to outstanding newly recruited junior women scientists
• The Hellman Fellowship from the University of California

As a principal investigator on multiple significant research grants, Dr. Gandhi leads projects including NIH-funded 'Understanding Pulmonary Fibrosis Through the Integration of Complex Occupational and Environmental Exposure Assessments' (2025-2030) and the 'Advancing Precision Medicine for Silicosis' study funded by the Nina Ireland Program for Lung Health. She also directs the California Silicosis Support and Research Network, which aims to identify low-wage workers at high risk for occupational disease and protect vulnerable workers from preventable workplace illnesses. Her Hellman Fellowship supports innovative research at the critical early stage of her academic career.

Dr. Gandhi is actively involved with the UCSF Silicosis Program, which addresses the growing epidemic of silicosis among engineered stone countertop fabrication workers. Her work connects clinical care, research, and advocacy to address this preventable occupational lung disease. Through media engagement and policy advocacy, she has raised public awareness about the dangers of silica exposure in the stone fabrication industry, contributing to regulatory changes in California and beyond.