The Speakers

ATHER ENAM MD, PhD, FRCSI, FRCSC, FRCS, FRCSG, FACS, AGAKHAN UNIVERSITY KARACHI- PAKISTAN

Dr. Enam is a U.S. Board-certified Neurosurgeon, Professor of Neurosurgery, and Chair, Department of Surgery at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. He has been awarded several accolades and honors for his work in the USA and Pakistan, including the Physician of the year medallion, Master Surgeon Award, Excellence in Neurosurgery Award, and the presidential award, Sitara-e-Imtiaz. Dr. Enam has a strong interest in basic science research with a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Northwestern University, USA. He is a life member of Sigma Xi, a scientific research honor society, as well as the Founding President of the Pakistan Society of Basic and Applied Neuroscience, the Founding President of the Pakistan Society of Neuro-Oncology, a member of the Executive Committee of AANS-CNS Section of Brain Tumors (USA), and member of the Advisory Board of The Science Bridge. He has been editor of several international scientific journals and has delivered numerous lectures globally on Neurosurgery, Neuro-Oncology, and Neuroscience topics. He is currently a Ph.D. supervisor for the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. He is actively involved in many clinical and basic science research projects and has authored more than 100 PubMed-indexed manuscripts and articles. His primary focus is the promotion of Neuroscience and Neuro-Oncology in Pakistan.

KHALID IQBAL BS,MS., Ph.D., NEWYORK STATE UNIVERSITY- USA

Khalid Iqbal is Professor and Chairman, Department of Neurochemistry, at the New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry in 1969 from the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, U.K. Dr. Iqbal was the first to describe in 1974 the bulk isolation and protein composition of neurofibrillary tangles/paired helical filaments (PHF) from Alzheimer disease brains. These pioneering studies led Drs. Iqbal and Grundke-Iqbal to the development of CNTF peptidergic compounds and a novel therapeutic approach that involved shifting the balance from neurodegeneration to the regeneration of the brain.Dr. Iqbal is the recipient of many prestigious honors and awards, including the Potamkin Prize for Alzheimer Disease research from the American Academy of Neurology, and the Zenith Award from the Alzheimer’s Association, U.S.A. He founded and chaired the biennial International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease from 1988 to 2008. In 2007, the Alzheimer’s Association, U.S.A. established a Khalid Iqbal Life Time Achievement Award for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, which is given out annually at the International Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease (ICAD) to a senior established Alzheimer disease researcher. Dr. Iqbal has authored over 300 scientific papers in prestigious international scientific journals and edited seven books on research advances in Alzheimer disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.

Jerry Devore B.A., M.A., Ph.D., BCIA, ABPP BEHAVIOURAL MEDICINE & TRAINING FOUNDATION-USA

Dr. Jerry R. DeVore, is a clinical psychologist, licensed in the State of Washington. He completed his PhD in psychology at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Mo. Dr. DeVore has had a career including 20 years of federal service with 11 years active duty. He has been a faculty member of an APA Approved Internship Program while on active duty. As a civilian he was the Director of Rehabilitation Psychology in a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup, WA, where he worked for 18 years. Dr. DeVore recently retired from 20 years of federal service and now has a private practice in an integrative healthcare center, focusing on treatment with biofeedback, neurofeedback, hypnosis, and EMDR. Dr. DeVore is a Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology in Clinical Psychology. He is also BCIA certified in General Biofeedback and Neurofeedback. He is an Approved Consultant in the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis. He is Level II trained in EMDR. Clinically, Dr. DeVore is fascinated with the ways in which biofeedback, neurofeedback and hypnosis can foster health recovery and health resilience. He is also fascinated with the psychophysiology of altered states of consciousness such as hypnosis and he regularly presents in the area of experiential spirituality.

Naweed I.Syed BSc, MSc., Ph.D., FRCP- CALGARY UNIVERSITY- CANADA

Naweed Imam Syed completed his Ph.D. in neurophysiology from the Department of medical physiology, University of Leeds, England-UK. He is the scientific director of Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute (ACHRI) and also a Professor at the department of cell biology & anatomy, Cumming School of Medicine - University of Calgary. Dr. Syed was awarded Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence – the highest civilian award for research and innovation) from the Pakistan government back in 2016. He was also regarded for scholarly achievements by the Indo-Canadian Psychiatric Association. He has taught and supervised students for more than 20 years. In research, his prime interest is in the cellular and molecular basis of rhythm generation and specific synapse formation. He and his team successfully established several neuronal chips to monitor brain cell activities from cultured and intact brain slices.

Yeong Y.Lee MD, Ph.D., FACP, FRCP,FACG, FAMM, AGAF Universiti Sains-Malaysia

Yeong Yeh Lee, after his gastroenterology fellowship completed his Ph.D. in Glasgow, United Kingdom and later a postdoctoral fellowship in the United States. He has published in high-impact journals including Gastroenterology and Gut, a number of book chapters and numerous conference proceedings. He was awarded the Outstanding Young Malaysian by JCI Malaysia in 2015 and the Top Research Scientist of Malaysia by the Academy of Sciences Malaysia in 2018. Currently serving as is Professor of Medicine, and Consultant of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Internal Medicine of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Among his research interests include the gut-brain axis, gut microbiota, neurogastroenterology and motility..

Jean King B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Post-Doc. WPI, Worcester, Massachusetts-USA

Dr. Jean King is the WPI Peterson family Dean in the School of Arts and Sciences. She also serves as a Professor of Biology and Biotechnology, affiliate Professor in Biomedical Engineering Department, Professor in the Neuroscience Program and Director of the NeuroTech Suite at WPI. Dr. King has published over 100 original scientific publications including papers, book chapters and review articles in in highly respected international scientific journals. The long-term goal of Dr. King’s research is to provide an understanding of the unique features of the central mechanisms that regulate neurobehavioral health and wellbeing. Her group uses multi-modal approaches to identify and characterize neuronal plasticity and behavioral modifications associated with stress and resilience- with emphasis on focus areas including mindfulness, addiction, pollution exposure, ADHD, depression, fearfulness, anxiety, neurological disorders, aging, cognition, pain and sex differences in model systems and humans with the hope of finding clues to help us better understand these conditions and disorders. Her new lab utilizes a translational approach which incorporates both clinical research and pre- clinical studies. In 2018, she helped launched the Neuroscience Initiative at WPI, fostering the establishment of a graduate program and an interdisciplinary Neurotechnology Suite at PracticePoint. The suite has a number of experienced faculty in areas like data-science, computational biology, EEG, eye-tracking, sensors, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and physiological monitoring. This multimodal hub supports innovative collaboration to advance our understanding of critical topics in neuroscience.

Obaid Ali B.PHARM, M.Phil., Ph.D.- Ministry of Health- Pakistan

Obaid Ali is a Ph. D. in Pharmaceutical Quality Sciences who received knowledge through advanced academic and professional courses besides a series of training of regulators from US-FDA, Health Canada, etc. He has about 25-year rich professional hands-on experience and worked on different regulatory agency's desks as functional head including pre and post-registration of drugs, compliance, and enforcement of manufacturing facility, governing policy, designing initiatives, developing strategies and conducting training within the regulatory agency. Dr. Obaid is the Chief Executive of Pharmaceutical Quality & Regulatory Sciences, a division of AEIRC. He was a consultant of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other International Agencies, where he taught regulatory sciences to regulators from different countries. He is aware of the facilities & has seen the manufacturing of Biological Drugs and Vaccines in the United States, Europe, Korea & China. Got hands-on training experience with the developed world to review and assess the vaccine applications particularly its quality part and trained to investigate the adverse event followed by immunization. Currently, Dr. Obaid Ali leading Scientific Transformation Reforms in Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan's Operations.

Darakshan J.Haleem BSc, MSc., Mphil, Ph.D. DSc. University of Karachi-PAKistan

Dr. Darakhshan has acquired her PhD degree in Neurochemistry, from University of London. She also has an honorary Degree from University of Complementary Medicine, Colombo. She is working as Meritorious Professor at Dr. Panjwani center for Molecular medicine and Drug Research, ICCBS, University of Karachi. She has served her period as the Dean Faculty of Sciences, and Chairperson of Department of Biochemistry, University of Karachi. She has over 250 research publications in international/ national journals of Neurochemistry, Neuropharmacology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry and other life Sciences. She has done spectacular job and has supervised about 40 Ph.D and M.Phil students and over 40 M.Sc thesis students. She has received multiple grants for her research projects. She is a lifetime member of many scientific organizations and societies including Pakistan Society of Biochemists, Pakistan Pharmacological Society, ISBBP (International study group for Biochemical and Biophysical Research in Pakistan, and IBRO (international brain research organization). She was also awarded multiple times for her extensive services as a mentor and a researcher..

MuhAMMAD Wassay mbbs, FRCP., Section of Neurology, AGAKHAN UNIVERSITY KARACHI- PAKISTAN

Dr. Wasay is currently a Professor (Alicharan endowed professor) of Neurology at Aga Khan University. He had been the President of the Pakistan Society of Neurology and Pakistan stroke Society. He is the current President of Neurology Awareness and Research Foundation, Chairman -advocacy and an awareness task force of World federation of Neurology and is also associated as Editor of Pakistan Journal of Neurological sciences, Chief Editor of Jahan e Aasab (Neurology public awareness magazine). Dr. Wasay received several national and international awards for educational, research and advocacy activities, including fellowship of Pakistan Academy of Medical science and Gold Medal in Health Sciences by Pakistan Academy of Sciences. Recently he was elected as fellow and Secretary, Karachi Chapter by the Pakistan Academy of Sciences. He has trained 46 neurologists under his supervision and two neurologists from Afghanistan. Alongside he has held a number of leadership positions at prestigious forums.

Nasir R.Awan MBBS FCPS, Chair-Department of Neurosciences, Sharif Medical Research Center,LAHORE-PAKISTAN

Nasir Raza Awan received his medical degree from King Edward Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan and F.C.P.S. in Neurosurgery from the College of Physicians & Surgeons, Karachi, Pakistan. He completed subspecialty fellowships in Functional Neurosurgery and Gamma Knife Radiosurgery from the University of Toronto, Canada and University of Pittsburgh, USA. His personal interests lie in functional restoration and neurorehabilitation using brain implants and neuroplasticity. He is currently working on neuronal restoration in the spinal cord and has launched a start-up called Spina Cure for non-surgical treatment of spinal ailments. Prof. Awan is passionate about teaching neuroscience and has taught a full course on Basic Neuroscience at School of Science and Engineering, LUMS. He is an active member of the Pakistan Society of Neurosurgeons, Pakistan Society of Basic and Applied Neuroscience and World Society of Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery.

Nikhat A.Siddiqui BSc, MSc., Mphil, Ph.D., UNIVERSITY of KARACHI- PAKISTAN

Nikhat Ahmed is a Meritorious Professor of Neuroscience from University of Karachi. She has served University of Karachi for over 33 years and has provided her valuable services to Ziauddin University and at Barrett Hodgson University, Karachi, Pakistan as Dean Faculty of Science s and Research. She is an Experienced Dean of Faculty with a demonstrated history of working in the education management industry. Nikhat is skilled in Clinical Research, Life Sciences, Strategic Planning, Thought Leadership, Proteomics and Genetics. She has obtained her Ph.D. focused in Applied Neurosciences from Department of Biology and Health Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK and did her Postdoc from School of Medicine, Tufts University, Boston. Dr. Ahmed is the founder member of Pakistan Proteomics Society working under the umbrella of AOHUPO. Dr. Ahmed is the pioneer in the field of proteomics research in Pakistan and authored over 80 scientific papers in prestigious International Scientific Journals. She has contributed to International Projects on Proteomic Research and has developed the regional map of brain proteome from AD patients. She serves on the scientific and Advisory Committees of numerous academic and private research organizations and editorial boards.

De ming Chau MD, CA. Young Scientist Network - Academy Science, Universiti Putra-Malaysia

Dr. Chau De Ming is a senior lecturer at the Department of Biomedical Sciences of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia. He has been teaching genetics and ethical issues in genetics and stem cells for more than 4 years. Dr. Chau chairs the Science Integrity Working Group of the Young Scientists Network-Academy of Sciences Malaysia (YSN-ASM) and he is one of the founders of the YSN-ASM Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Programme. One of the key initiatives of this RCR programme is to promote research integrity and research ethics in Malaysia. He is one of the co-editors and co-authors of the Malaysian Educational Module on Responsible Conduct of Research, which is a key RCR reference material in Malaysia.

Touqeer Ahmed BSc, MSc., Ph.D. National University of Science & Technology, ISlamabad-PAKISTAN

Touqeer Ahmed is a HoD and Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Neurosciences at National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. He has obtained his Doctorate degree in Pharmacology from Aga Khan University. He has his expertise in neuropharmacology and has several publications in the same domain. He was also associated with RIKEN Brain Science Institute, JAPAN, as a researcher for a brief period of time.

Zaman KHAN mbbs, FCPS, Allama Iqbal Medical College, LAHORE- PAKISTAN

Dr. Zaman has completed his FCPS in Internal Medicine, from College of Physicians and Surgeons Pakistan. He did his postgraduate residency in the field of internal medicine, diagnosis and treatment of medical illnesses, he has a vast experience in research most certainly in infectious diseases. He is serving as an Assistant Professor at Allama Iqbal Medical College. He is a member of Dengue Expert Advisory Group Punjab and he is an active focal person for Dengue Fever at Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. Also, he is a Demonstrator at Department of Physiology, Central Park Medical College Lahore, Pakistan. He has gained experience in cardiology, Internal Medicine, ICU, and ENT. .

Sadaf Ahmed BSc, MSc., Ph.D. University of Karachi-Pakistan

A Ph.D in Human Physiology with expertise in Psychophysiology & behavioral Neurosciences. Pakistan’s pioneer to introduce Psychophysiology in various institute and mental health sector, and co- authored Pakistan’s first stress evaluating tool “Sadaf Stress Scale (SSS)”, currently serving as an assistant professor at Department of Physiology, University of Karachi as well as founder and CEO of Advance educational Institute & research Centre (www.aeirc-edu.com) and put forward the initiative of establishing psychophysiology (psychophysiology.pk) in Pakistan. She is currently working on Psychophysiological aspects of Mastectomy in Breast cancer survivors as her Post Doctorate. Representing Pakistan academic and health sector globally with her sections as trainer internationally as well as executive members of many scientific organization across the globe. She won various grant awards including from HEC, IBRO, Microsoft, Govt. of Sindh etc. Author of two full books and numerous manuals along with list of significant research papers. A mystic writer and well-known public speaker related to mental health, gender inequalities, Health and wellbeing, Build up a great team in last 16 years and promoting the necessary workup require in respective field along with finding the gaps and connecting the dots, with a laser focus on raising responsiveness and gather likeminded people for facilitating the ideas to support the victims, survivors, emotional and psychological damage and exclusion.

Saima Gul BSc, MSc., Ph.D. Shifa Tameer-e-millat University-ISlamabad-PAK

Saima Gul has completed her Ph. D. research on Effect of antioxidant and antiplatelet activity on plants & their signal transduction, from the University of Karachi, Pakistan. Continued her Postdoctoral training at Timing, memory and decision-making lab, Department of Psychology, Koç University, Istanbul. She has been working on Behavioral Psychology, Pharmacology, Molecular biology, and Neuroscience. She is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Therapy, Shifa Tameer E Millat University, Islamabad. Saima is an active Member of IBRO: Pakistan Society of Basic and Applied Neuroscience (PSBAN) and Women in World Neuroscience society, Pakistan.

Shelina Bhamani Bed, Med, Ph.D. Agakhan University,Karachi-Pakistan

Dr. Shelina Bhamani has completed Ph.D. research on Early Childhood Development Programme Monitoring from the Institute of Business Management, Karachi, Pakistan. She worked as Regional Assessment Manager at USAID and is serving as Assistant Professor at Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan. She is specialized in Monitoring, Evaluation and Research, Social Advocacy & Early Childhood Development.

Meha fatima BS, Mphil., Ph.D. Dow University of Helath Sciences, Karachi-PAKistan

Meha Fatima has obtained her Ph.D. from International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Pakistan followed by a Post Graduate Diploma in Mind Sciences from Preston University, Pakistan. Her Ph.D. research focused on the development of a drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease patients with diabetes. Dr. Meha is currently serving as Assistant Professor at Dow Institute of Medical Technology, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Pakistan. She has been working on Cell Culture, Biomedical Engineering, and Neurosciences, etc. For her recent research on the Effectiveness of theta frequency sound in chronic stress, she has received SRGP Research Grant from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) & Transformation International Society, Research Support Fund.n.

Shamoon Noushad BSc, M.Sc, Mphil, PhD (ABD). CPED, CRCP, CBT. Malir University of Science & Technology, Karachi-PAKistan

Shamoon Noushad is currently serving as an Asst. Professor and Director QEC at Malir University of Science & Technology. He completed his Graduation from the Physiology Department and Master's with a specialization in Applied and Clinical Physiology. He attended his Masters of Philosophy in health Scineces with a specialty in Stress & Neurodegeneration. He has completed 3 Post Graduation Diploma in Clinical Psychophysiology (USA), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (UK) and Clinical Research (PAK). Shamoon has also attended Ph.D. Applied Psychophysiology program from College of Integrative Medicine & Health Sciences, Saybrook University, California, USA. He has Published more than 80 Original research articles in HEC recognized journals with an H-Index of 9. He has also co-authored 2 books with Dr. Sadaf Ahmed on Basic Research and Psychophysiology.Currently he is acting as Vice president of Advance Educational Institute & Research Centre.

Faizan mirza B.Sc, M.Sc. ph.D. University Of karachi, Karachi-PAKistan

Dr. Faizan Mirza has currently completed his Ph.D. in Physiology from the Department of Physiology, University of Karachi-Pakistan. His thesis focuses on Healthy Aging and Degenerative Sciences. He has secured a faculty position in M.Sc. and was a Gold Medalist in B.Sc. (H) from the University of Karachi. He has been indulged in teaching for a long period now and is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Physiology, University of Karachi-Pakistan. He is a keen researcher and has many publications in National and International Reputed Journals. He has organized many scientific conferences on national and international levels. Faizan has delivered many lectures on stress management and mental health and has also attended many sessions. His main interest is in Psychology, Psychophysiology and Neuroscience.

Rukhsana Nawaz B.Sc, M.Sc., ph.D. UAE University, Al Ain-uae

Rukhsana Nawaz has completed her Ph.D. in Molecular Medicine (Neurogenetics) from the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Karachi-Pakistan, in 2013. Her Ph.D. thesis focuses on the Genetic profile of schizophrenic patients in Pakistan. She was affiliated with the Department of Molecular Pathology at Dow University of Health Sciences as an Assistant Professor. In 2015, Rukhsana moved to UAE to pursue her Postdoc in the Behavioral Neuroscience lab. Currently, she is working as a Research Specialist in Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory at the United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain-UAE. Her main focus is to bridge knowledge from basic and clinical neuroscience to improve how we understand, predict, and treat age- and disease-related cognitive impairment.

Peer Asad Aziz MBBS, FCPS, Neurosurgery. Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences, Hyderabad-Pakistan

Peer Asad Aziz is an MBBS doctor from Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences (LUMHS), Hyderabad, Pakistan. He is known for conducting the first-ever brain surgery for the removal of acute subdural hematoma with extradural hematoma under local anaesthesia in a patient presented with ventricular septal defect fitness & in critical state. Much of his research work is in the discipline of Neurology, Neuroradiology & Neurosurgery. He is an expert in the field of neurosciences and has been serving for health & wellbeing for years. Dr. Peer has published several research articles mainly focusing on Isolated intracranial Rosai Dorfman disease and Acute subdural hematoma with extradural hematoma evacuation among ventricular septal defect patients etc.

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