Shamika Ketkar, M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Email

ketkar@bcm.edu

Positions

Assistant Professor: Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine

Education

MS from Washington University in St. Louis: St Louis, Missouri, United States; Genetic Epidemiology

PhD from Washington University in St. Louis: St Louis, Missouri, United States; Human and Statistical Genetics

Professional Interests

Strategic research leadership and multi-institutional collaboration
Data science ecosystem development and research infrastructure
Research communications and scientific narrative development
Multi-omics data integration and transcriptome-guided diagnostics
Precision medicine and equitable access to genomic research
Rare and undiagnosed genetic diseases

Professional Statement

I am a strategic research leader and PhD-level data scientist with 15 years of experience building the collaborative infrastructure that makes large-scale, multi-institutional science work — across NIH programs, global consortia, and the Texas Medical Center ecosystem. My work sits at the intersection of genomics, data science strategy, and research communications: translating complex scientific findings into partnerships, narratives, and programs that advance institutional impact and patient benefit.
At Baylor, I lead cross-institutional data science initiatives including an exome-sequencing collaboration with investigators at UTHealth Houston's McGovern Medical School, work within the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Network and All of Us Research Program, and have originated partnerships — including with BCM's Center for Cell and Gene Therapy — that have produced publications in Nature Medicine, Science Translational Medicine, and Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. I am a named investigator on the NIH UDN, All of Us Research Program, V Foundation, and ReJOIN.
My scientific interests include genomic data integration, transcriptome-guided diagnostics, and rare disease — but my primary contribution is the organizational and strategic layer: building the relationships, communications infrastructure, and collaborative frameworks that allow complex data science programs to reach their full potential.

Websites

VIICTR Publications List

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Selected Publications

Ketkar S, Dai H, Burrage L, Murdock D, Dawson B, Acosta-Herrera M, Kerick M, Martin J, Wilhelm K, Asmussen JK, Lichtarge O, Center RG, Assassi S, Mayes MD, Lee BH. " Integrative exome sequencing and machine learning identify MICB and interferon pathway genes as contributors to SSc risk. " 2025 Jun ;
Pubmed PMID: 40514331.
Dai H, Ketkar S, Tan T, Atkinson EG, Burrage L, Worley KC, Christopher B, Lyons MA, Assassi S, Mayes MD, Lee B.. " Exploring the complexity of systemic sclerosis etiology by trio whole genome sequencing. " 2024 ;
Pubmed PMID: 38970828.
Ketkar S, Burrage LC, Lee BH. " RNA sequencing as a diagnostic tool. " 2022 Dec ;
Pubmed PMID: 36525251.
Ketkar S, Verdoni AM, Smith AM, Bangert CV, Leight ER, Chen DY, Brune MK, Helton NM, Hoock M, George DR, Fronick C, Fulton RS, Ramakrishnan SM, Chang GS, Petti AA, Spencer DH, Miller CA, Ley TJ.. " Remethylation of Dnmt3a-/- hematopoietic cells is associated with partial correction of gene dysregulation and reduced myeloid skewing. " 2020 Feb ;
Pubmed PMID: 31996479.
Baylor College of Medicine Research News: Integrative exome sequencing and machine learning identify new genes contributing to systemic sclerosis risk " ;

Memberships

American Society of Human Genetics

American College of Rheumatology