Summary of Singh's Career

Dr. Amit Singh: A Legacy of Scientific Leadership, Research Innovation, and Mentorship & Scientific Vision

Dr. Amit Singh has built a distinguished career as a developmental biologist and geneticist — blending research excellence, educational leadership, and mentorship. With over 30 years of academic service and scientific innovation, Dr. Singh has built a lasting legacy that extends well beyond his laboratory work. His career spans premier institutions, including Devi Ahilya University, the Indian Institute of Science, Academia Sinica, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Dayton—where he continues to lead impactful research today.

Dr. Singh has conducted groundbreaking studies in developmental genetics while shaping the next generation of scientists. His impressive record of scholarly publications, sustained NIH funding, leadership roles, and unwavering commitment to student training embodies the best of academic science at the intersection of discovery, education, and mentorship.

His scientific work focuses on the genetic mechanisms driving eye development, congenital birth defects, and neurodegenerative diseases—contributions that not only advance basic biological understanding but also hold translational relevance for human health.

Early Scientific Formation and Passion for Genetics

Dr. Singh's passion for biological systems took root during his undergraduate education at H.P. University, where he earned a B.Sc. in Biology. He then completed his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Life Sciences at Devi Ahilya University (1988–1995), developing a keen interest in developmental genetics. During this time, he began using Drosophila melanogaster to explore tissue patterning and organogenesis—an interest that became central to his career.

His doctoral training provided rigorous grounding in classical genetics, including mutant analysis, gene mapping, and phenotypic screening. These early experiences laid the foundation for his future integration of classical developmental biology with modern molecular techniques.

Following his Ph.D., Dr. Singh served as a Research Associate at the Indian Institute of Science (1995–1998), one of India’s premier research institutions. There, he expanded his expertise into transgenics using Bombyx mori (silkworm), further refining his molecular skills and diversifying his model system knowledge. These formative years cemented his multidisciplinary approach, bridging genetics, molecular biology, and developmental biology.

Expanding Horizons: Academia Sinica and Baylor College of Medicine

At Academia Sinica (1998–2002) in Taipei, Dr. Singh began to define his research niche in axial patterning of the Drosophila eye. His studies clarified how dorso-ventral boundaries in the eye imaginal disc are genetically specified—a key process in organ development and tissue organization. His work contributed significantly to our understanding of how developmental boundaries govern eye morphology and provided insights into the genetic control of tissue symmetry and shape.

At Baylor College of Medicine (2002–2007) in Houston, Texas, Dr. Singh advanced into an increasingly independent research role. Appointed as a non-tenure-track Instructor in 2004, he focused on how genetic disruptions influence cell survival during eye organogenesis. His widely cited 2006 paper, “Lobe and Serrate are Required for Cell Survival during Early Eye Development in Drosophila” (Development), demonstrated how ectopic Wingless signaling contributes to cell death in the ventral eye field—bridging developmental biology, apoptosis, and signaling pathways. These studies were pivotal in linking molecular genetics with disease-relevant processes.

Leadership and Innovation at the University of Dayton (2007–Present)

In 2007, Dr. Singh joined the University of Dayton (UD) as a faculty member, where he quickly became a central figure in the institution’s research ecosystem. He established a productive and nationally recognized lab focusing on developmental genetics, with particular emphasis on birth defects and neurodegeneration. At UD, Dr. Singh is also a dedicated educator and mentor, deeply involved in undergraduate and graduate training.

Research Focus and Contributions

His research at UD centers on:

Establishing a Research Vision: From Eye Development to Disease Models

Since joining University of Dayton (UD) in 2007, Dr. Singh has led a vibrant lab that has become a national hub for developmental genetics — exploring how genetic regulation of early development links to birth defects and neurodegenerative disease. University of Dayton+2Google Sites+2

His lab’s research focuses on:

• Axial / dorsal‑ventral patterning and boundary formation in organ development (e.g., in the Drosophila eye). University of Dayton+2eCommons+2

• Genetic control of eye and head development, including how specific transcription factors and signaling pathways govern whether an imaginal disc becomes eye tissue or head cuticle. eCommons+2eCommons+2

• Cell survival, apoptosis, and growth control during organogenesis — vital for understanding developmental defects. University of Dayton+2eCommons+2

• Modeling human disease — including neurodegeneration — using Drosophila, such as modeling aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. Google Sites+2University of Dayton+2

He also co‑edited a major reference volume, Molecular Genetics of Axial Patterning, Growth and Disease in Drosophila Eye (Springer, 2013), which has become a foundational resource for researchers and students in developmental biology. eCommons+2University of Dayton+2

Spotlight: defective proventriculus (dve) — A Key Gene in Eye/Head Fate Determination

One notable line of research in Dr. Singh’s lab involves the homeobox gene defective proventriculus (dve). This gene plays a critical role in specifying cell fate during development, helping decide whether a region of the imaginal disc becomes eye tissue or part of the head. eCommons+2PubMed+2

• In a 2023 study, his lab presented evidence on how dve interacts with the conserved morphogen signaling pathway Decapentaplegic signaling pathway (Dpp/BMP) to influence eye versus head‑cuticle fate. eCommons

• Their genetic and structure–function analyses of Dve revealed how different domains of the Dve protein contribute to growth regulation, patterning, and control of other genes (e.g., Wg/Wingless). eCommons+1

• By dissecting dve’s role, the lab aims to shed light on fundamental developmental processes — with potential relevance for understanding congenital disorders of head/eye formation in higher organisms (since dve’s human ortholog is SATB1). eCommons+2eCommons+2

This line of research underscores Dr. Singh’s broader philosophy: using the powerful genetics of Drosophila to unravel fundamental biological rules that help explain development — and when things go wrong, disease.

Major Research Grants and Scientific Recognition

Dr. Singh has secured multiple NIH grants that support both cutting-edge research and the training of students at predominantly undergraduate institutions:

NIH R15 AREA Grants (2010–2021): Investigating how a single cell layer becomes a three-dimensional eye structure

NIH R01 Grant (2021–2025): In collaboration with Dr. Madhuri Kango-Singh, focusing on the genetic basis of eye birth defects and retinal disorders

These competitive awards underscore the significance and translational relevance of his research, as well as his leadership in federally funded academic science.

Mentorship and Student Development

Dr. Singh is a deeply committed mentor whose guidance has shaped the careers of numerous scientists:

§  Trained ~100 undergraduate researchers who co-authored publications and presented at national meetings

§  Supervised 12 graduate students, many of whom pursued advanced degrees or professional careers

§  Mentored 6 postdoctoral fellows, helping them develop research independence

§  Mentored many junior faculty at University of Daytona nd other educational institutions.

His lab emphasizes rigorous training in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication. Many of his mentees have gone on to successful careers in medicine, academia, and industry.

Beyond the lab, Dr. Singh has taught foundational and advanced biology courses, led capstone and honors research projects, and actively bridged textbook learning with real-world scientific inquiry.

Leadership Roles and Service

Dr. Singh has held numerous leadership positions within and beyond the University of Dayton:

§  Director of the Graduate Program in Biology (2013–2018)

§  Member of the Graduate Leadership Council

§  Reviewer for multiple NIH study sections and NSF grant panels (2008–present)

§  Editorial board member for journals including Scientific Reports, PLoS ONE, BMC Genetics, Heliyon, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Peer J, Medicine, Neural Regeneration Research, and Developmental Dynamics

§  Senior Editor: Brain and Behavior, Wiley.

§  He has also served in prestigious endowed positions:

§  Schuellein Endowed Chair in Biology (2018–2021)

§  Brother Leonard A. Mann Chair in the Sciences (current)

§  As director of TREND (Tissue Regeneration and Engineering at Dayton), he fostered cross-disciplinary research collaborations between biologists, chemists, and engineers.

Awards and Honors (last 6 years)

§  2024-  Mann Chair in Natural Sciences, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH.

§  2023   Invited Speaker Gordon Research Conference.

§  2022   Faculty Alumni Scholarship Award, University of Dayton, OH.

§  2021   George B. Noland Award for Research, University of Dayton.

§  2021   Experimental Biology and Medicine (EBM) Outstanding Reviewer Award

§  2018   Schuellein Endowed Chair of Biology (2018-2021).

Publications and Scholarly Impact

Dr. Singh has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals such as PNAS, Development, Cell Death and Disease, iScience, Scientific Reports, Developmental Biology, and Cell and Tissue Research. His work has garnered hundreds of citations and continues to shape the fields of developmental genetics and disease modeling.

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=xr9Gtf0AAAAJ&hl=en  

H Index: 28, i10 index: 61

He is also the co-editor of the reference volume:

§ “Molecular Genetics of Axial Patterning, Growth and Disease in the Drosophila Eye” (Springer, 2013; 2020)
  This book synthesizes decades of work in the field and features contributions from leading researchers, further underscoring Dr. Singh’s thought leadership and collaborative spirit.

A Legacy: Bridging Discovery and Education

Dr. Amit Singh’s career stands as a model for scientific excellence rooted in both discovery and mentorship. His research has deepened our understanding of axial patterning, organ development, and disease mechanisms. His insights into eye morphogenesis, neurodegeneration, and birth defects have contributed to both foundational biology and translational applications.

Equally significant is his commitment to education. Through grants, publications, and mentorship, Dr. Singh has elevated the profile of his department and helped launch the careers of countless students and researchers. His impact is seen not only in scientific literature but also in the laboratories, classrooms, and institutions shaped by his leadership.

In bridging rigorous basic science with translational relevance, Dr. Singh exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, precision, and purpose—both as a scientist and as a mentor.