Dr. Sajid Merchant

Associate Professor

Build a Statement of Purpose

Generate a tailored SOP for Dr. Sajid Merchant. Improve your application with a focused, well-structured draft.

Biography

Sajid Merchant is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Alberta and a Board-certified genetic counsellor. His work integrates clinical practice, program leadership, teaching, and mentoring learners at various stages of training. Sajid earned a Bachelor of Science in Genetics from the University of Alberta and a Master of Science in Human Genetics from Sarah Lawrence College. He began his career at North York General Genetics Program in Toronto, providing prenatal genetic counselling to a diverse patient population. After gaining experience at Marshfield Clinic in Wisconsin, where he practised in various areas of genetic counselling, Sajid returned to Edmonton to join the Medical Genetics Clinic at the University of Alberta. He has evolved his clinical practice over the decades, focusing on inherited hemoglobin disorders and pioneering new service delivery models. Sajid has extensive experience in academic teaching, having developed and taught courses such as MDGEN407: Introduction to Genetic Counselling. His leadership extends to professional regulation, as he co-founded the Alberta Association of Genetic Counsellors and has served as the President of the Canadian Association of Genetic Counsellors.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Clinical Professor

2007-01-01 — Present

University of Alberta • Edmonton, Alberta

Leads a multidisciplinary team of genetic counsellors, genetic assistants, and nurses, overseeing a wide range of genetics services.

Clinical Genetic Counsellor

— Present

Marshfield Clinic • Wisconsin

Practised in various specialties including prenatal, pediatric, adult, cancer, and metabolic genetic counselling.

Genetic Counsellor

— Present

North York General Hospital • Toronto, Ontario

Provided prenatal genetic counselling to diverse patient populations.

Courses

MDGEN407: Introduction to Genetic Counselling MDGEN403: Principles of Medical Genetics

Requirements for University of Alberta

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:21
Reading
Required:21
Writing
Required:21
Speaking
Required:21
Total
Required:93
Prerequisites
Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering or Engineering Management
Application Checklist
  • Three letters of reference
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Personal Statement
  • Official Transcripts (upon admission)
Specialization Notes

Department: Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Management