Dr. Umapathy Sundaram
Senior Advisor to the President for Veterans Affairs and Translational Sciences
Board-Certified Gastroenterologist | Physician-Scientist | Educator
About Dr. Umapathy Sundaram
Known by colleagues as Uma, Dr. Umapathy Sundaram is a nationally recognized gastroenterologist, physician-scientist, and academic leader at Marshall University. His career spans clinical care, federally funded research, veterans’ health leadership, and decades of mentorship, with a consistent focus on translating discovery into better patient outcomes.
With a background that bridges bioengineering, medicine, and translational science, Dr. Sundaram has secured more than $50 million in NIH and VA research funding and has played a key role in advancing understanding of inflammatory bowel disease, nutrient transport, and obesity-related conditions.
Research & Impact
Dr. Sundaram leads NIH- and VA-funded research initiatives focused on improving outcomes for patients with complex gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. His work centers on:
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Nutrient transport and absorption disorders
- Obesity-related and metabolic conditions
- Translational research that moves discoveries from bench to bedside
Across his career, he has secured more than $50 million in competitive research funding, supporting long-term, multidisciplinary scientific programs that directly influence clinical care.
Throughout his career, Dr. Sundaram has secured over $50 million in research funding, supporting programs that directly influence clinical care. Over more than two decades, he has also mentored 100+ trainees, shaping future leaders in medicine and biomedical research.
Recent News
and Media Mentions
Dr. Uma Sundaram appointed senior advisor to the president for Veterans Affairs and Transl...
Marshall University researcher wins award to study obesity
Introducing our 2024 AGA Council chair and section leaders
Dr. Uma Sundaram - S C C I Award Recipient
AGA bestows fellow-status on Dr. Uma Sundaram
Dr. Uma Sundaram receives $2.39M grant from NIH to study IBD
Marshall University receives nearly $11 million to research obesity, related conditions
UK CCTS Partners with Marshall University on COBRE Grant for Obesity Research
Marshall Awarded Nearly 11 Million in Grant Funding
Sundaram honored with VA Merit Review Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award
Sundaram honored with VA Merit Review Senior Clinician Scientist Investigator Award
Marshall dean gets grant to study bowel disease
Marshall University Researcher Wins Award to Study Obesity
Thumbs up: MU gains important reseach grant
WVU health sciences lands $53M in research funding
WVU Health Sciences gets $19.6 million research grant from NIH
Umapathy Sundaram, MD, AGAF
Marshall marks 30th annual Health Sciences Research Day
Congratulations to Dr. Uma Sundaram, vice dean for research and graduate educati...
Dr. Umapathy Sundaram on Tackling NASH and NAFLD: Translating Science into Better...
Biomedical program talks healthcare in Appalachia
Student research showcased at 36th Annual Marshall University Health Sciences Research Day
Collaboration & Engagement
Opportunities for collaboration, research, and academic engagement are central to Dr. Sundaram’s work in advancing translational medicine and improving patient outcomes.
