Dr Mehdi Hayat Shahi

Assistant Professor

About

Dr. Mehdi Hayat Shahi is an Indian neuroscientist and Assistant Professor at the Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre (IBRC), Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). As of 2026, he is recognized for his significant contributions to neuro-oncology and brain tumor research.
In October 2025, he was elected as a Life Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), India, for his longstanding dedication to neuro-oncology research.
Dr. Shahi led a research team that synthesized a novel compound named ARSH-Q, which received an Indian patent in 2025. This compound targets stem cells to inhibit brain cancer cells, potentially offering a more effective treatment than standard chemotherapy. His work extensively focuses on the Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway, a critical factor in brain cancer development.
Recent research presented in late 2024 demonstrated how exposure to the heavy metal cadmium may trigger brain tumor development by up-regulating specific mitogenic pathways.
He also investigates blood-based biomarkers for depression, particularly the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). He is the author of the book "Role of Signaling Pathways in Brain Tumorigenesis", published by Springer Nature. He has been honored with the Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences.
International Experience: Before joining AMU in 2015, he served as a postdoctoral fellow and instructor at the University of California, Davis (2010–2014) and as a research fellow at Uppsala University, Sweden (2009–2010).
Education: He earned his Ph.D. from Aligarh Muslim University in 2009.