Reproductive Physiology & Pathophysiology

Skand Shekhar, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Skand Shekhar, M.D., M.H.Sc.
Medical Director (Interim), NIEHS Clinical Research Unit;
Assistant Research Physician
Tel 301-451-1866
[email protected]
Curriculum Vitae (389KB)
111 Tw Alexander Dr
Clinical Research Unit / Modular Clinic
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709

Research Summary

Skand Shekhar, M.D., M.H.Sc., is a clinician investigator in endocrinology and reproduction with a special interest in studying the relationship between metabolism and reproductive disorders. As the deputy leader of the Reproductive Physiology and Pathophysiology group led by Janet E. Hall, M.D., M.S. at NIEHS, Shekhar cares for patients with metabolic and genetic disorders of reproductive function, including idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH), Kallmann syndrome, puberty disorders, menstrual disorders, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). His research involves studying the interaction between lifestyle, sleep, diet, and the hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis in humans. With a keen interest in neuroendocrinology, he studies the interaction between stress (cortisol), thyroid, and reproductive axes. He is developing clinical trials to enhance our understanding of sleep, metabolism, and reproductive endocrinology interplays. Some of his published work in this field has studied rare neoplasms such as Cushing syndrome and Erdheim-Chester disease.

Shekhar is a lead investigator on multiple NIEHS/NIH protocols, including The Role of Gonadotropin Pulsations in the Regulation of Puberty and Fertility (12-E-0050), the Molecular Basis of Inherited Reproductive Disorders (12-E-0049), Carefree Study (Calorie Restriction, Environment, and Fitness: Reproductive Effects Evaluation) (16-E-0157). He is also an associate investigator on other NIH studies, including the endocrinology clinic protocol, Personalized Environment and Genes Study (PEGS), and the COVID-19 Serosurvey. In addition, he serves on several NIH intramural committees and is a core faculty member of NIH’s Inter-institute Endocrinology Training Program and an attending physician on the endocrinology and diabetes consult service at NIH Clinical Center.

Shekhar completed his clinical and research training in adult endocrinology at NIH, focusing on reproductive endocrinology, under Hall’s mentorship, and received a Masters in Health Sciences from Duke University School of Medicine. Previously, Shekhar attended medical school at the University of Delhi, India, followed by residency training in internal medicine and chief medical residency at Saint Peter’s University Hospital/Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey. He is board-certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Additionally, he serves as a peer-reviewer for several scientific journals and holds active memberships in the Endocrine Society, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American College of Physicians.

Selected Publications

  1. Shekhar S, Irizarry-Caro JA, Sinaii N, Gahl WA, Estrada-Veras JI, Dave RH, Gochuico BR, Papadakis GZ, Patronas N, Stratakis CA, O'Brien K, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2021. Pituitary imaging abnormalities and related endocrine disorders in Erdheim-Chester disease. Cancers (Basel). 13(16):4126. doi: 10.3390/cancers13164126. [Abstract Shekhar S, Irizarry-Caro JA, Sinaii N, Gahl WA, Estrada-Veras JI, Dave RH, Gochuico BR, Papadakis GZ, Patronas N, Stratakis CA, O'Brien K, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2021. Pituitary imaging abnormalities and related endocrine disorders in Erdheim-Chester disease. Cancers (Basel). 13(16):4126. doi: 10.3390/cancers13164126.]
  2. Shekhar S, McGlotten R, Auh S, Rother KI, Nieman LK. 2021. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in cushing syndrome before and after curative surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 106(3):e1316-e1331. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa858. [Abstract Shekhar S, McGlotten R, Auh S, Rother KI, Nieman LK. 2021. The hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis in cushing syndrome before and after curative surgery. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 106(3):e1316-e1331. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa858.]
  3. Barrera FJ, Shekhar S, Wurth R, Moreno-Pena PJ, Ponce OJ, Hajdenberg M, Alvarez-Villalobos NA, Hall JE, Schiffrin EL, Eisenhofer G, Porter F, Brito JP, Bornstein SR, Stratakis CA, González-González JG, Rodíguez-Gutiérrez R, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and their associated risks for poor outcomes in Covid-19 patients. J Endocr Soc. 4(9):bvaa102. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa102. [Abstract Barrera FJ, Shekhar S, Wurth R, Moreno-Pena PJ, Ponce OJ, Hajdenberg M, Alvarez-Villalobos NA, Hall JE, Schiffrin EL, Eisenhofer G, Porter F, Brito JP, Bornstein SR, Stratakis CA, González-González JG, Rodíguez-Gutiérrez R, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension and their associated risks for poor outcomes in Covid-19 patients. J Endocr Soc. 4(9):bvaa102. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvaa102.]
  4. Shekhar S, Sinaii N, Irizarry-Caro JA, Gahl WA, Estrada-Veras JI, Dave R, Papadakis GZ, Tirosh A, Abel BS, Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Skarulis MC, Gochuico BR, O'Brien K, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with Erdheim-Chester disease. JAMA Netw Open. 3(10):e2019169. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19169. [Abstract Shekhar S, Sinaii N, Irizarry-Caro JA, Gahl WA, Estrada-Veras JI, Dave R, Papadakis GZ, Tirosh A, Abel BS, Klubo-Gwiezdzinska J, Skarulis MC, Gochuico BR, O'Brien K, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Prevalence of hypothyroidism in patients with Erdheim-Chester disease. JAMA Netw Open. 3(10):e2019169. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.19169.]
  5. Shekhar S, Wurth R, Kamilaris CDC, Eisenhofer G, Barrera FJ, Hajdenberg M, Tonleu J, Hall JE, Schiffrin EL, Porter F, Stratakis CA, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Endocrine conditions and COVID-19. Horm Metab Res. 52(7):471-484. doi: 10.1055/a-1172-1352. [Abstract Shekhar S, Wurth R, Kamilaris CDC, Eisenhofer G, Barrera FJ, Hajdenberg M, Tonleu J, Hall JE, Schiffrin EL, Porter F, Stratakis CA, Hannah-Shmouni F. 2020. Endocrine conditions and COVID-19. Horm Metab Res. 52(7):471-484. doi: 10.1055/a-1172-1352.]
  6. Kumar A, Shekhar S, Dhole B. 2014. Thyroid and male reproduction. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 18(1):23-31. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.126523. [Abstract Kumar A, Shekhar S, Dhole B. 2014. Thyroid and male reproduction. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 18(1):23-31. doi: 10.4103/2230-8210.126523.]