Dr. Omar Bagasra stands as a distinguished figure in the realms of biology and biotechnology. As a Professor of Biology and the Director of the South Carolina Center for Biotechnology, his journey is one of remarkable resilience, intellectual curiosity, and significant contributions to scientific understanding, particularly in virology and molecular immunity. His life story, beginning in tumultuous times and culminating in a celebrated academic career, is an inspiring testament to the pursuit of knowledge and dedication to scientific advancement.
Early Life and Journey to Education
Born in 1948 amidst the upheaval of the India-Pakistan partition, Dr. Omar Bagasra’s early life was marked by displacement and migration. His family, part of the millions uprooted during this period, sought refuge in Pakistan. Despite the volatile environment, his father established himself as a grain merchant, and Omar grew up alongside ten siblings. At the young age of 16, driven by a quest to understand diverse faiths, Omar embraced an ascetic lifestyle. He embarked on a spiritual journey, initially as a Buddhist monk in Tibet, seeking a path of peace and introspection. This quest led him to explore various ascetic traditions across Northern provinces and Afghanistan. After two years of living as a Faqir, Dr. Bagasra recognized the complementary nature of mystical understanding and scientific inquiry. He returned to Pakistan, determined to pursue the scientific path to truth.
He enrolled at the University of Karachi, earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Biochemistry. Driven by a thirst for even higher education, Dr. Bagasra realized the limitations within Pakistan at that time. In 1972, with little more than a suitcase and a hundred dollars, he ventured to the United States, seeking opportunities for advanced studies and research.
Transition to the United States and Pursuit of Higher Education
Upon arriving in Chicago, Dr. Bagasra faced the initial challenges of a new immigrant. He took on employment in road construction, an experience that aided him in refining his English language skills, his seventh language. Seeking better prospects, he moved to Indiana and secured a position manufacturing brake shoes for a Ford Motor supplier. Driven by his academic aspirations, Omar diligently saved his earnings. He enrolled at the University of Louisville, marking the resumption of his formal scientific journey in the US. His dedication led to his first scientific role as a lab technician at Clark County Memorial Hospital in Jeffersonville, Indiana. This period also marked a significant personal milestone as he met Theresa Mahoney, a nurse, who became his wife. By 1980, Dr. Bagasra had achieved his Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology, a testament to his unwavering commitment to education. He then pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in Infectious Diseases in Albany, NY, and subsequently moved to Philadelphia, where he joined Hahnemann University as junior faculty, becoming a citizen of the United States.
Medical Education and Specialization
Dr. Bagasra’s pursuit of knowledge extended to the field of medicine. Facing restrictive admission policies and financial constraints in the US for foreign-educated individuals, the determined 32-year-old Dr. Bagasra pursued medical studies at the Universidad Autónoma in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. After two years, he transferred to Temple University to complete his clinical training. He further specialized with a residency in anatomic pathology at Hahnemann and Temple Universities, followed by a fellowship in Clinical Laboratory Immunology at Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. Throughout this intensive period of training and specialization, he remained a full-time faculty member at Hahnemann University, demonstrating exceptional dedication and time management skills.
Academic and Research Career
Dr. Bagasra’s academic career includes professorships at Hahnemann University (1980-1987) and Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia (1991-98). At Thomas Jefferson University, he directed the Molecular Retrovirology Laboratories and served as Section Chief of Molecular Diagnostics at the Center for the Study of Human Viruses. Currently, he is a Professor of Biology and Director of the South Carolina Center for Biotechnology at Claflin University. His research has been consistently focused on HIV and AIDS since the emergence of the virus in 1981. His pioneering work explores the molecular pathogenesis of HIV and the protective role of microRNA against lentiviruses. Notably, in 1998, he was the first to articulate the protective function of small RNAs against retroviruses and lentiviruses in his publication “HIV and Molecular Immunity.” Dr. Bagasra’s commitment to clinical practice is ongoing; he is board-eligible in anatomic pathology and holds diplomate status from the American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology (ABMLI) and the American Board of Forensic Examiners. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners.
Recognition and Awards
Dr. Bagasra’s extensive research has resulted in over 200 scientific publications, including articles, book chapters, and books. His contributions have been recognized through numerous accolades. In 1995, he was nominated for the prestigious King Faisal Award for Medicine. He received the Faculty Scholar Award from the American Association for Cancer Research in both 2002 and 2014. In 2006, he was a co-recipient of the South Carolina Governor’s Award for Excellence in Science. Furthermore, he served as a Council Member of the American Association of Cancer Research (MICR-AACR) from 2002-2006. His work has been published in highly esteemed journals such as the New England Journal of Medicine, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, Journal of Virology, Journal of Immunology, Journal of Pediatrics, Nature Medicine, and Nature Protocol, among others. Luc Montagnier, the Nobel Laureate who discovered the AIDS virus, lauded Dr. Bagasra as “a skillful researcher” and “a discerning scholar who explores new ideas,” acknowledging his history of challenging conventional wisdom and being subsequently proven correct, particularly regarding the prevalence of HIV-infected lymphocytes.
Current Research and Interests
Dr. Bagasra’s current research extends to the molecular pathogenesis of the Zika virus. He recently published findings in EBioMedicine elucidating the mechanism by which the Zika virus induces microcephaly. His ongoing investigations are focused on understanding the sexual transmission pathways of the Zika virus from men to their partners. Beyond virology, Dr. Bagasra’s research interests are broad and impactful, including the environmental factors in autism development, racial and cultural disparities in prostate and breast cancers, microRNA-based therapies for Ebola, HIV-1, and Zika virus, the mechanisms behind Zika-induced microcephaly, and forensic sciences, encompassing field drug testing and forensic DNA fingerprinting.
Education and Credentials
Education:
- 1968 B.Sc in Microbiology, University of Karachi, Pakistan
- 1970 M.Sc. in Biochemistry, University of Karachi, Pakistan
- 1979 Ph.D. in Microbiology & Immunology, University of Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- 1985 M.D. in Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez, México
Residencies and Fellowships:
- Residency Pathology (1992-93), Department of Pathology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19133
- Residency Pathology, (1986-87), Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Hahnemann University, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
- Fellowship Clinical Laboratory Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Temple University, Front & Erie Streets Philadelphia, PA 19134.
Licensure and Certification:
- 2013 Case Base Learning, Harvard University
- ABI Human Identification on ABI 3130 system (May 6-10, 2008)
- Certificate: Harvard Medical School, Internal Medicine
- Forensic Examiners (certification #2483)
- Diplomate: American Board of Forensic Medicine; #383
- Diplomate: American College of Forensic Examiners;#2483
- Diplomate: American Board of Forensic Examiners; #680
- Diplomat: American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology; Certificate #125 (since 1993),
- Board eligible: Anatomic/Surgical Pathology
- FMGEMS (unrestricted) Permanent Certification from “Education Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates” tested July 23, 1985, #382-688-0, valid indefinitely #79158 (7/10/1986).
Research Interests
- Effects of Environment in Development of Autism
- Prostate and Breast Cancers: Racial and cultural disparity
- MicroRNA based therapies for Ebola, HIV-1, and Zika virus
- Zika virus and microcephaly: What is causing small brain in the infected mothers’ newborns?
- Forensic Sciences: Field drug testing, Forensic DNA fingerprinting
