​Our Team

Dr Zainab Samad

Chair, Department of Medicine & Founding Director, CITR​IC-Health Data Science Centre

Dr Zainab Samad, a proud alumnus of the Medical College’s MBBS programme, is the Principal Investigator of the grant and the Founding Director of the newly established Health Data Science Centre. She has served as full-time faculty at Duke University where she worked with renowned clinical researchers and a large multi-disciplinary team to leverage local data to​ inform long-term outcomes of valvular heart disease. Dr Samad returned to Pakistan and has since been passionately pursuing a university-wide initiative to combine and use the University’s health data to estimate disease patterns and outcomes in the country.

Dr Zahra Hoodhboy

Associate Professor, Paediatrics & Child Health

Dr Zahra Hoodbhoy is an alumnus of the AKU Medical College's MBBS programme and has done her Ph.D. in Public Health. Her research interest lies in technology and artificial intelligence in improving maternal and child health indicators in low-resource settings. As part of the data science initiative, Dr Hoodbhoy and her team are leading the capacity-building arm that aims to develop a health data science program in Pakistan.  She will also work with the larger team to collate data from internal and external sources for enabling data-driven solutions for health issues unique to Pakistan and other LMIC contexts.

Ms Mushyada Ali

Manager, Department of Medicine

Ms Mushyada Ali has over 14 years of experience in Information Technology with a background in business intelligence, business process reengineering, and software development. She completed her Bachelors in Engineering in Computer and Information Systems and is currently pursuing a Masters in Data Science from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).As part of the project team, Ms Mushyada is supporting the collation of the internal data landscape. She is also looking at the data sets available in the university to understand and broaden the use of available data in the organization.​​


Dr M Imran Nisar

Assistant Professor, Paediatrics & Child Health

Dr Nisar holds an MBBS degree, an MSc in Epidemiology & Biostatistics & a Ph.D. in Population & Public Health. His area of work includes infectious diseases, maternal, newborn & child health, vaccine-preventable diseases, early childhood growth,​ ​development & nutrition. He has various publications on Global Burden of Disease (GBD) estimation with the Institute for Health Metric and Evaluation (IHME), USA, He has co-led multiple surveys for COVID-19 in the district east of Karachi during the pandemic year & is a principal investigator for a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) funded study exploring transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 in Karachi.


Dr Bilal Ahmed Usmani

Senior Assistant Professor & Section Head Epidemiology & Biostatistics, CHS

Dr Bilal Ahmed Usmani is a mathematical modeler with an emphasis on infectious disease epidemiology. Inspired by patterns and periodic p​henomena in nature, he has gained rich experience in applications of modeling techniques in analyzing big data, especially data pertaining to rare events. ​Dr Bilal has been a part of multiple curriculum design and research committees in government institutions​ and will play a substantial role in the research and capacity building of the data science professionals from the initiative.

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Dr Sana Sadiq Sheikh                             

Assistant Professor​, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr Sana Sadiq Sheikh holds an MBBS degree, an MSc degree in Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and a Ph. D. in Population and Public Health. Dr Sheikh has served as an Assistant Director of Research at Tabba Heart Institute and she has held multiple positions including senior positions at Aga Khan University. Her research interests encompass nutrition, food insecurity, cardiovascular diseases, adolescents, and young adults. Her extensive research contributions have resulted in numerous noteworthy publications both nationally and internationally.

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Dr Zarmeen Nasim

Senior Instructor, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr. Zarmeen completed her doctoral studies in Computer Science from IBA in 2022. She has been a part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) lab at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi. ​During her Ph.D., she worked on several research projects that primarily focused on using natural language processing techniques for solving real-world problems. Her research interests include text analytics, data mining, social network analysis, and machine learning.  In her current role at AKU, she aims to address health-related problems using data science and machine learning methods.​​

Dr Hasan Nawaz Tahir​

Senior Instructor, Community Health Sciences

Dr Hasan Nawaz Tahir is a public health professional with expertise in digital health. He is a graduate of Baqai Medical University ​MBBS program. Dr Hasan has been involved in grant writing for digital health and data science interventions in the context of LMIC's, the development of digital health solutions ranging from geo-spati​al mapping, e​lec​​tronic disease surveillance system, hospital digitization, monitoring, and evaluation of digital health interventions. He is also involved in the development of the curriculum for the MS in Health Data Science.  He also conducted a feasibility survey to assess the need for the MS programme.​

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Dr Nida Saddaf Khan

Senior Instructor, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr Nida Saddaf Khan is a data scientist having a Proven™ Professional Data Scientist Associate (EMCDSA) EMC certification. She has completed her doctoral degree from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi. Her research involves various AI fields such as Deep Learning, Big Data, ML, Time Series Analysis, Stochastic Modeling, Causality Modeling, Social Network Analysis, Text Analytics, Sensor Data Analytics, and the Internet of Things. she has over 15 years of teaching and research experience at various prestigious universities and has also served in the software industry in various capacities.


Ms Namra Aziz                                    

 Instructor,  Citric Health Data Science Centre

Ms Namra Aziz completed her undergraduate degree in Economics and Mathematics from IBA in 2018. She has joined CITRIC-Health Data Science Centre as a research instructor and is currently enrolled in Master's of Data Science Program at IBA (2nd semester). Namra is working at Aga Khan University Hospital as part of AKUPI NCD ECRA Fogarty Fellowship - a collaboration between Aga Khan University, IBA, and Duke University. She is also a volunteer at an NGO named Heal Aid Foundation and aims to work as a Data Scientist as part of charity alongside other NGO projects for the people of Pakistan​.

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Ms Zainab Siddiq

Senior Research Instructor, Department of    Medicine

Ms Zainab Siddiq holds a Master's from Columbia University, New York, in Biostatistics (Statistical Genetics track) and a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. She has worked in the Department of Women and Child Health at Columbia University NY​-Presbyterian Hospital. Zainab’s expertise lies in analyzing longitudinal​ and cross-sectional patient and hospital data. Her work has resulted in more than 30 publications so far.  ​An area of future research interest for Zainab is exploring the association between maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and the effect on childhood obesity.​

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Mr Muhammed Imran

Research Instructor, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Mr Imran Magsi is a Bachelor of Science in Economics degree from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi and is also pursuing a master's degree in Data Science.​  He is a research​er at Aga Khan University, Department of Medicine as part of the AKUPI NCD ECRA Fogarty Fellowship, a collaboration between Aga Khan University, IBA Karachi, and Duke University. Mr Imran has experience in econometric modeling using EViews and Stata, as well as machine learning modeling using Python and is working on a range of projects related to health economics and cardiovascular diseases.

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Mr Khalid Aziz

Analyst, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Mr. Khalid Aziz holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. He began his professional career as a Python developer & data analyst at the Aga Khan​ Development Network's Digital & Health Resource Centre (AKDN, dHRC) where he was involved in machine learning-based image processing project ​via applying state-of-the-art machine learning algorithms &​ statistical techniques. He has consistently demonstrated ​expertise in analysing & interpreting hospital data, contributing to the field of data science.

Dr Hajra Khw​aja

Research Specialist, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr Hajra Khwaja has been associated with the institution for the last 4 ye​ars. She completed her bachelor's in BDS (Dentistry) from Fatima Jinnah Dental College and later did her Masters in MSc HPM from Aga Khan University. Dr Hajra has a vast research background and has been associated with WHO-funded res​earch projects within the organization. Previously she was working in clinics and academia as an instructor.

Dr Afshan Anwar

Research Specialist, CITRIC-Health Data Science Centre

Dr Afshan Anwar has been associated with the institution for the last 4 years. She completed her bachelor's in BDS (Dentistry) from Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine and later did her Masters in MSc HPM. She is currently serving as a research associate in the Department of Medicine for the Health Data Science initiative.​


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Ms Dilshad Baig 

Grant Coordinator, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Ms Dilshad Baig has a Master's degree from the University of Karachi. She joined Research Office a decade ago and brings along with her a vast experience in research grant administration and Financial management. Dilshad played a pivotal role in the implementation of the PeopleSoft Grants Module in Pakistan and Kenya, EA, the first ever software to be implemented in this region. She has a keen eye for detail and a passion and aptitude for developing administrative research processes at AKU.

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Dr Hassan Raja

Research Associate, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr Hassan Raja is an alumnus of the Aga Khan University MBBS Class of 2022.  He is currently supporting the Health Data Science Center as a Research Associate. With a primary interest in Internal Medicine,  Nephrology, and Data Science, Dr Hassan is keen to working towards establishing a stronger health data science ecosystem, that has the potential to improve health outcomes within Pakistan, through data-driven and evidenced-based solutions.​

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Dr Asim Shaikh

Research Associate, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr Asim Shaikh has completed his MBBS from the Dow University of Health Sciences in 2021 and has a background in Cardiovascular research. He is currently supporting current projects as a Research Associate. Dr. Asim believes that Pakistan's first Health Data Science Centre will lead in cementing strong data management policies in the country and exponentially improve the integrity of research to be conducted in the future.

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Dr Maaha Ayub

Research Associate, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Dr. Maaha Ayub is a fresh graduate of AKU MBBS Class of 2022, and aspires to pursue her career in gastroenterology . She has keen interest in data-driven healthcare and the transformative potential of the Health Data Science Centre in Pakistan. Through her role as a Research Associate, she seeks to contribute to the center's mission of fostering health data research and analysis​ by actively participating in the advancement of data-driven solutions, ultimately leading to improved healthcare practices and policies in the country.

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Syeda Nadia Bokhari​

Research Associate, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Syeda Nadia Bokhari holds an MBA in Marketing and is currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) in Management. She has experience working at leading national and multinational organizations in Pakistan in the field of academic research, market research, business development and strategic marketing planning. Her role at AKU's CITRIC - Health Data Science Centre involves cross-functional collaborations between internal and external stakeholders across various projects. She ​ also manages communications and public relations for the Centre​.​​

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 ​​Shaikh Shumail ​​​Shahbaz

Project Manager, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Shaikh Shumail Shahbaz, is an MBA in Project Management and a bi-majors in Supply Chain Management. He brings about 14 years of experience, working in IT consultancy and development sector projects. Shumail's expertise lies in project management, implementation, planning, development, etc. His experience in public health enables an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by this sector - driving his passion to work on projects that aim to improve access to healthcare, enhance public health infrastructure, and promote health education.

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Mr Hamraj Singh

Analyst, Citric Health Data Science Centre

Mr Hamraj Singh is a Computer Science graduate from IBA Karachi. He has worked on data analysis and data mining projects, gaining expertise in tools such as Python, KNIME, Power BI, and Tableau. He has keen interest in research & development and has ​worked for UCL's Multi- Religious Encounters in Urban Settings project​. He has also contributed to the positive mental health research at the Center for Arts-based Wellbeing Methodologies.​

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Senior Advisors 

Dr ​​​Adil Haider​

Dean, Medical College

Dr Haider is the Dean of the Aga Khan University Medical College and a Professor of Surgery and Community Health Sciences. He is a Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon. Dr Haider is one of the world's foremost authorities on healthcare disparities and has previously created technology-based solutions to mitigate inequities in care in the United States. He has published more than 350 peer-reviewed papers and has been PI on extramural grants worth more than 14 million USD including many projects on health data science. He continues to have an active R01 grant and is the Associate Editor of JAMA Surgery. 

Prior to being appointed Dean on Jan 1, 2019, he was the Director of the Center for Surgery and Public Health a joint initiative of Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health. Dr Haider has won numerous awards for his research and advocacy work including the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. He will spend 5% of the total professional effort of which all will be in-kind contributions.


Dr ​​​Zulfiqar Bhutta

Professor, Pediatrics & Global Health

Dr Bhutta obtained his MBBS from the University of Peshawar and his Ph.D. from the Karolinska Institute. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the Pakistan Academy of Sciences.

Dr Bhutta will provide​ access to large-scale population-based data from national and subnational surveys in South-Central Asia on maternal, child health, and nutrition as well as causes of death.​

Dr Sameen Siddiqi​

Professor & Chair, Community Health Sciences

Dr Siddiqi has a fellowship in internal medicine, a master’s degree and fellowship in public health from the UK, and a doctoral degree from Heidelberg, Germany.

His research focuses on health systems strengthening and development, health system governance, and health policy.

Dr Siddiqi is serving as a CO-PI, advisor on the health system and health policy for the Data Science Initiative.​


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Dr Asad Latif​

Chair, Department of Anaesthesiology

Dr Latif is a graduate of The Aga Khan University Medical College and obtained a Masters of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2012, focusing on Health Systems and International Health.

Aside from his active clinical responsibilities, his research interests lie in patient safety and quality improvement, with an emphasis on preventing hospital-acquired infections, improving patient outcomes and communication, and health system strengthening, particularly in developing countries. 




Ms Farhana Alarakhiya​

Chief Innovation Officer

Ms Farhana is a veteran in the world of Big Data analytics and AI and has spent the last decade building SaaS solutions that enable transformative outcomes by unlocking the power of data. She considers herself to be a DRIP destroyer, eradicating the problem for many of being “Data-Rich but Insight Poor"

As the Chief Data Innovation Officer at AKU, Ms Farhana is focused on coupling data with smart driven people to deliver social, economic, and environmental impact that can change the world.​​

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Dr Ali Mokdad

Professor Health Metric Science, Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation, University of Washington 

Dr Mokdad received his BS in Biostatistics from the American University of Beirut and his Ph.D. in Quantitative Epidemiology from Emory University. He is a ​PI for the monitoring and evaluation of the Salud Mesoamerican Initiative where he provides independent evaluation for the public-private partnership between Mesoamerican countries, private foundations, and bilateral donors. During his time at the CDC, he served on the International Health Programme, division of nutrition and physical activity, the national immunization program, the national center for chronic diseases prevention and health promotion. He has authored over 450 articles and has several awards. He will provide input on all aims. ​

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Dr Rumi Chunara

Dr Rumi Chunara is an Associate Professor at NYU, jointly appointed at the Tandon School of Engineering (in Computer Science) and the School of Global Public Health (in Biostatistics/Epidemiology). Her Ph.D. is from the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology, and her research group focuses on developing computational and statistical approaches for acquiring, integrating, and using data to improve population-level public health. She is an MIT TR35, NSF Career, Facebook Research, and Max Planck Sabbatical award, winner.​





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Ms Maliha Charania

Senior Advisor, Health Data Science Centre

Ms Maliha Charania is seasoned information security, governance, and risk management leader and is currently a Senior Manager with  Meditology Services, a leading provider of IT  security and privacy services for the healthcare industry based in the USA. Prior to joining Meditology, Maliha served as the head of IT Security and established the global information security function at Aga Khan University and Hospitals. She also has a storied career in Big 4 consulting at KPMG. She has obtained 2 Master, a Master's in Computer Science from SZABIST and Master's in Information Systems and Cyber Security from Georgia State University. It has over 13 years of experience in designing, leading, and implementing numerous global IT security and risk management initiatives in both healthcare and academia. She not only comes with extensive technical security knowledge but also knowledge of various standards and legislation including but not limited to HIPAA, GDPR, ISO, NIST, and HITRUST. She has served as a Subject Matter Expert in matters of IT security, risk management, governance, and compliance for many healthcare and academic organizations across the world. 



Dr  Ghazala Sadiq

Dr Ghazala Sadiq obtained 2 Masters and a Ph.D. from MIT in Aeronautics/Astronautics and Operations Research, and after two and a half decades of professional experience, she decided to go back to school again to upgrade her skills in the new sciences that had emerged.  She received a Masters's in Advanced Analytics from North Carolina State University. ​  

Dr Ghazala worked with Allscripts for 8 years where she helped make the EMR data analytics-ready, performed analytics, and helped data partners with their studies.  
Her skills include Operations Research, Predictive Modeling, Data Analytics, and AI. 


Ms Sana Mahmood

Director, Strategy & Advancement

Ms Sana is Director, Strategy, Medical College and Lecturer, Department of Community Health Sciences at the Aga Khan University (AKU).  Sana has a deep interest in systems-level strategic planning and has worked across AKU's education and health portfolios to develop roadmaps to advance priorities within the context of Pakistan's landscape.  Sana holds an Ed.M. in International Education Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and a B.A. Honors and B.Ed from Queen's University in Canada. ​












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