Gaurav Sharma,

My research focuses on applying advanced magnetic resonance techniques—such as deuterium MRI and NMR spectroscopy—to investigate metabolic dysfunction in diseases like MASLD and Type 1 Diabetes. I am particularly interested in using stable isotope tracers to non-invasively monitor metabolic flux in vivo and to identify early biomarkers of disease progression. By integrating magnetic resonance methods with complementary tools such as mass spectrometry, I aim to develop a comprehensive understanding of metabolic alterations in various pathological states. I joined Dr. Merritt’s lab to broaden my expertise in metabolic imaging and contribute to translational research at the intersection of chemistry, biology, and medicine. My background includes NMR-based metabolomics and natural product chemistry, with prior experience in identifying bioactive compounds using solution-state NMR and probing tissue metabolism through HR-MAS NMR. Working in Dr. Merritt’s lab has enabled me to apply these skills in vivo while gaining hands-on experience with advanced imaging techniques, tracer-based studies, and computational data analysis.