Ahmar Shah

Ahmar Shah is a data scientist and medical informatician at the Usher Institute, where he is also Director of Innovation. 

Before joining Edinburgh as a Chancellor's Fellow, Ahmar worked at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at Oxford, where he developed machine learning techniques for decoding electrical signals from the human brain – research with potential applications in treating movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease.

At Edinburgh, his research applies signal processing and machine learning to large electronic health records, with a focus on chronic conditions. His work on asthma includes developing smartphone and wearable-based tools to support self-management and provide patients with early warning of deterioration. He has co-authored more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in journals including The Lancet, Brain, and the BMJ, and holds two granted patents.

Alongside his research, Ahmar is recognised for his mentorship of colleagues and early-career researchers, supporting them through funding applications and fellowship programmes.