Dr. Hafsah Muhammad

Biography

PERSONAL STATEMENT:

 I am an Assistant Professor of Forensic Sciences and Toxicology and Biosafety and Biosecurity Officer at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Pakistan, where I have led institutional biosafety and biosecurity initiatives since 2017. My expertise integrates molecular genetics, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), infectious disease genomics, molecular diagnostics, laboratory biosafety and biosecurity, and One Health approaches to strengthen biomedical research, public health laboratories, and workforce capacity. My research has focused on molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance determinants, pathogen genomics, human genetics, and molecular diagnostics, complemented by leadership in laboratory systems strengthening, biosafety governance, and responsible conduct of life sciences research. I have collaborated with national and international organizations, including WHO, NIH Fogarty International Centre, IFBA, UK Health Security Agency, U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Health Security Partners, and Sandia National Laboratories, contributing to research, training, and institutional capacity development. I hold IFBA Professional Certifications in Bio risk Management, Biosecurity, and Cyberbiosecurity, and have organized and delivered numerous national and international training programs in biosafety, biosecurity, infection prevention and control, laboratory quality management, and responsible conduct of genomic sciences. My research, leadership, and training experience provide a strong foundation for contributing to the NIH D43 Global Infectious Disease Research Training Program, particularly in strengthening multidisciplinary research, laboratory capacity, and One Health antimicrobial resistance stewardship in Pakistan.

Leadership in Biosafety, Biosecurity, and One Health Capacity Development:

As Biosafety and Biosecurity Officer at Khyber Medical University since 2017, I have led institutional initiatives to strengthen laboratory biosafety governance, biological risk management, laboratory quality systems, and responsible conduct of life sciences research. My work has included establishing institutional biosafety practices, supporting biosafety committee development, conducting laboratory risk assessments, and developing training programs for researchers, healthcare professionals, and public health laboratories. I also designed and led One Health as a core course for postgraduate students at KMU, in addition to reviewing, updating, and facilitating the training and curriculum for Biosafety and Biosecurity. I have served as faculty, organizer, or scientific facilitator for more than one hundred national and international workshops, courses, and professional development programs on biosafety, biosecurity, cyberbiosecurity, laboratory quality management, infection prevention and control, genomic sciences, and One Health laboratory preparedness. These activities have been conducted in partnership with well-reputed international collaborators, contributing to sustainable workforce development and strengthening laboratory systems across Pakistan.

Research Interests

Forensic Sciences, Forensic Genetics, Molecular biology, Genetics, Biorisk Management, Cyberbiosecurity Publications: • Muhammad H. Biosecurity: From Policy Formulation to Implementation. Advances in Basic Medical Sciences. 2022. • Presented peer-reviewed research at the 60th Asia Pacific Advanced Network (APAN 60) Conference, Hong Kong SAR, China (July 28–August 1, 2025), entitled "Waste Management System of Healthcare Facilities as a Reflection of Biosafety and Infection Prevention and Control System Strength." • Hafsah Muhammad, Tayyab Rehman, Najma Baseer, Zilli Huma, Samreen Sarwar. Situational analysis of biosecurity in higher educational institutions and private diagnostics laboratories in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. IFBA Virtual Biosafety Conference: A vision of tomorrow. November 1-3, 2021. • Hafsah Muhammad, Tayyab Rehman, Yasar Yousafzai, Zilli Huma. The Evolution of Khyber Medical University Biosafety Program: Feb 2017-Present. A tale of blood, sweat and tears. National Virtual Biological Risk Management Conference organized by Pakistan Biological Safety Association and FIC/NIH, USA on June 4th – 5th, 2021. • Hafsah Muhammad, Yasar Yousafzai, Zilli Huma, Sajjad Ahmad, Tayyab Rehman. Biosafety as the backbone of Public Health Labs: A Practical Experience. National Virtual Biological Risk Management Conference organized by Pakistan Biological Safety Association and FIC/NIH, USA on June 4th – 5th, 2021. • Zilli Huma, Hafsah Muhammad, Yasar Yousafzai, Sajjad Ahmad, Rafiullah, Tayyab Rehman. Implementation of High Reliability Organization Principals in Life Sciences Research and Diagnostic Laboratories. National Virtual Biological Risk Management Conference organized by Pakistan Biological Safety Association and FIC/NIH, USA on June 4th – 5th, 2021. • Usman Waheed, Hafsah Muhammad Chishti, Hasan Abbas Zaheer. Evaluation of General Perception regarding Biosecurity and Biosafety among Medical Technologists / Technicians working in Diagnostic Laboratories of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. First Annual Conference, Pakistan Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences (PAMLS), Faisalabad, May 16, 2010. Ongoing Research (Grants as PI) • Association of Onco-Viruses with brain cancer: Viral detection and in-vitro growth inhibition of patient-derived brain cancer cell cultures using viral vaccines. PKR 17,334,336.40. NRPU 2021, HEC, Pakistan Completed Research Projects (Grants as PI) • Biological Weapons Convention and biosecurity awareness-raising among life scientists. $2970 USD. Centre of Excellence project, Health Security Partners. USA. • Genetic Aspects of Aggressive Behavior. PKR 500,000.00. FARE Grant. ORIC, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. • “Biosecurity Situation Analysis of Life Science Research Projects at KP Universities and Biosecurity Training for the Security Guards,” $4270 USD. Centre of Excellence project, Health Security Partners. USA. Complete list of Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=en&hl=en&user=Dqid9OsAAAAJ

Publications

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