Shams completed his MPH and PhD at the University of South Florida, his MD at Kabul Medical University, and his MBA at Preston University Pakistan. His current research focus is studying the role of infection in development of cancer, specifically sexually transmitted diseases (STD). He also specializes in research methodologies, monitoring, evaluation, and quantitative and quantitative data analysis. In the past, he has worked with the United Nations, Johns Hopkins University and other International Nongovernmental Organizations as an M&E and primary healthcare expert. Shams has published numerous research articles in high-impact peer-reviewed journals on different public health related topics, and has authored several technical reports. He is also fluent in multiple languages.