The University of Nevada, Reno Orvis School of Nursing has appointed Akshay Sharma, MBBS, MPH, Ph.D., as Associate Dean for Research and Scholarly Impact and Arthur Emerton Orvis Endowed Chair for Health Equity. Sharma will join the School on Oct. 1, 2026, bringing extensive experience in health equity research, population health and infectious disease epidemiology.

As a tenured associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Nursing, Sharma has been leading an externally funded research program focused on improving health outcomes among underserved populations, particularly sexual and gender minority communities. His work advances HIV and sexually transmitted infection prevention, health equity and healthcare access through the design and evaluation of telehealth-supported interventions that address barriers to care in structurally disadvantaged populations.

As associate dean for Research and Scholarly Impact, Sharma will provide strategic leadership for the Orvis School of Nursing's research enterprise. He will guide efforts to expand research productivity, strengthen extramural funding, enhance faculty mentorship, foster interdisciplinary partnerships and advance rigorous scholarship that demonstrates the impact of nursing care on individuals, communities and health systems. He will also help support the University's continued growth as a Carnegie R1 research institution while addressing critical health challenges facing Nevada and the nation.

“Dr. Sharma is an exceptional scholar whose accomplishments in research, teaching and mentorship have earned national and international recognition,” Dr. Charles Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing, remarked. “His innovative work advancing health equity and improving outcomes for marginalized communities, combined with his proven ability to develop faculty, students and research teams, makes him uniquely positioned to lead the next chapter of the Orvis School of Nursing’s research enterprise.

“Beyond his impressive credentials, Dr. Sharma brings a warmth, generosity and commitment to mentorship that inspires those around him. His leadership will be transformational as we expand our research impact, strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and generate new knowledge that improves the health of communities across Nevada and beyond.”

Supported by competitive federal funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sharma’s research focuses on developing innovative approaches to sexual health promotion, expanding access to prevention and care and improving health outcomes through community-engaged and technology-enabled interventions. He has also authored an extensive body of peer-reviewed publications and presented at numerous international, national and regional conferences, advancing scholarly discourse on health equity and evidence-based strategies for improving population health.

In addition to his research accomplishments, Sharma has demonstrated a strong commitment to mentorship and faculty development. He has supported students, emerging scholars and interdisciplinary research teams while helping build collaborative environments that foster innovation and scholarly excellence. His impactful teaching, grounded in inclusive pedagogical approaches and commitment to student success and well-being, has been recognized through multiple awards.

The appointment reflects the Orvis School of Nursing's commitment to expanding its research impact and generating knowledge that improves health outcomes across Nevada's urban, rural and frontier communities. As the Arthur Emerton Orvis Endowed Chair for Health Equity, Sharma will help strengthen initiatives that address health disparities, promote equitable access to care and support interdisciplinary research that creates measurable benefits for communities throughout the state.

“It is my honor to join the Orvis School of Nursing, and I look forward to advancing research, mentorship and community-engaged scholarship that improves health equity and health outcomes in Nevada and beyond. I look forward to collaborating with faculty, students and community partners to advance evidence-based solutions to pressing health challenges.”

Sharma earned his medical degree from Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute in India, master’s degree in public health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and doctoral degree in epidemiology from Emory University’s Laney Graduate School. He also completed postdoctoral training in infectious disease epidemiology at Emory University.