Dr. Rasheed Ahmad is a senior scientist and head of the Immunology & Microbiology Department at the Dasman Diabetes Institute. He received his PhD in Immunology from the University of Montreal, Canada, and completed his post-doctoral training in the CHUM (Center Hospital at the University of Montreal) research centre. Dr. Ahmad specializes in understanding the immuno-metabolic pathways that underlie metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. The focus of his research is directed towards understanding how immuno-metabolic changes in adipose tissue driven by imbalances in high-fat diet nutrients and their metabolites, as well as their interaction with high levels of circulatory adipokines (individually or interactively), play a key role in inducing, sustaining, or promoting inflammation, resulting in the disruption of glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. He has a longstanding interest in identifying novel nutrient sensors associated with immune receptors and transcriptional regulators and their role in inflammation, lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, metabolic memory, and insulin resistance.