Profile

Amit Singh, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Dayton with a rich career spanning over 20 years in the study of genetics and neurobiology. His research focuses on understanding how eyes develop and grow, using fruit flies as a model to explore the early stages of eye formation and to study complex brain diseases like Alzheimer’s. 

Dr. Singh, a fly geneticist specializing in eye development and disease, obtained his Bachelor's degree (B.Sc.) from Government Degree College Nahan, H.P. University, India, followed by a Master's degree (M.Sc.) in Life Sciences and a Ph.D. from the School of Life Sciences, Devi Ahilya University, Indore, India. 

Dr. Singh's extensive training includes post-doctoral fellowships at the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc.), Bangalore (Transgenics of the Silkworm, Bombyx mori),  Academic Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan (axial patterning during early Drosophila eye development), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, with a strong background in molecular and cell biology, genetics, and neurobiology. He was promoted to Instructor (non-tenure track faculty)  at Baylor College of Medicine (2004-2007). Joining the University of Dayton in 2007 as a tenure-track Assistant Professor in Cell Biology and Genetics, he progressed to the rank of professor in 2018. 

Accomplishments:

Singh uses cutting-edge techniques to unravel how our eyes and brains develop and how diseases can disrupt these processes. Singh’s work is widely recognized, with more than 100 research papers, book chapters, and books published. He has secured significant funding from major NIH grants, including RO1 and R15s, to support his research. Beyond his research, Singh is a dedicated mentor, guiding many junior faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and undergraduates in their scientific careers. His contributions have shed light on crucial processes in eye development and brain function, leading to a better understanding of how these systems can go wrong in diseases. Singh has received numerous accolades, including prestigious chairs and awards, including the Brother Leonard M Mann Chair in Natural Sciences, the Schuellein Endowed Chair in Biology, the George B Noland Research Award, and several prestigious fellowships. His service to the scientific community includes roles as a reviewer for multiple high-impact journals and grant panels, and he has held leadership positions in various professional organizations. His comprehensive body of work underscores his expertise and dedication to advancing our understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms in development and disease.

Training

Dr. Singh has mentored over 70 undergraduate researchers, 20 honors thesis students, one international master’s student, one master’s thesis student, 10 PhD researchers, seven postdoctoral fellows, and several junior faculty members.  Dr Singh also provided experiential learning research opportunities to many local and regional high school students. 

Faculty Perspective

I have developed a great admiration for the concept of experiential learning as I strongly believe that a hands-on approach is the best tool for learning. This approach is applicable both in the classroom as well as the laboratory setup and therefore justifies my passion for research and teaching. My long-term goal is to develop an excellent research program in Drosophila genetics of patterning and growth to model human diseases at the University of Dayton.

Research in Progress  

Dr. Singh's laboratory focuses on two major research goals: 

(I) understanding the genetic basis of early eye patterning and growth, particularly axial patterning, and 

(II) elucidating the mechanisms underlying complex neuropathological diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). 

With formal training in classical and molecular genetics and the neurobiology of Drosophila, the lab employs a combination of molecular genetic, biochemical, and cell biological techniques. Utilizing Drosophila as a model system, Dr. Singh's team leverages advanced genetic manipulations to explore these areas. Their extensive expertise in molecular neuro-genetics and the Drosophila model system equips them to address these research objectives effectively. To date, Dr. Singh has published approximately 95 papers, reviews, teaching papers, meeting reports, and editorials. 

Professional Activities

• Member of Genetics Society of America (GSA), Ohio Miami Valley Society of Neuroscience (OMVSfN), Council of Undergraduate Research (CUR).

• Honorary member of Theta Kappa Chapter of the University of Dayton’s Beta Beta Beta, Honor Society.

• Member of mentor network of American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) GENA, project.

• Faculty Advisor, Indian Student Association (ISA), University of Dayton.

• Academic Editor, Journal PLoS ONE, Scientific Reports, BMC Genetics, Peer J, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, Heliyon, Medicine, Neural Regeneration Research.

• Editorial Board Member of Frontiers in Genetics, Developmental Dynamics, Journal of Biological Sciences, Journal of Cell Science & Therapy, Current Research in Neuroscience.

• Member of Sigma Xi Honors Society.

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, 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).