Leading Professor of Pathology – Cancer Warrior

AbulKalam M. Shamsuddin, M.B.,B.S., Ph.D., served as Professor of Pathology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, for over 43 years, Senior Scientist at National Cancer Institute (NCI), distinguished by numerous awarded U.S. patents. He earned his medical degree from Dhaka Medical College at the University of Dhaka and subsequently completed his internship in Massachusetts and residency training in pathology in Maryland. Certified by the American Board of Pathology in 1977, he began his academic career as an Instructor at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Dr. Shamsuddin received his Ph.D. in 1980 for his seminal research in colon carcinogenesis, rapidly advancing to Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and ultimately full Professor by 1988.

Recognized extensively for his teaching excellence, Professor Shamsuddin received multiple accolades, including the prestigious “Golden Apple Award” from the American Medical Students’ Association in 1999.

Since 1975, Professor Shamsuddin’s pioneering research has significantly advanced understanding of cancer formation and prevention. Notably, his groundbreaking work on colon cancer has led to the development of a simple, highly accurate, and cost-effective screening test capable of identifying cancer at very early stages and detecting precancerous conditions. This innovative test has been utilized in China since the early 1990s. Furthermore, his discovery of the colon cancer marker Gal-GalNAc has provided a foundation for broader cancer screening applications, potentially including lung, breast, prostate, and cervical cancers, anticipated to become globally available.

Professor Shamsuddin is also the author of “Diagnostic Assays for Colon Cancer,” published by CRC Press (1991), a key resource intended for healthcare professionals.