Educational/professional background
I am a dentist by training and a public health professional with a strong interest in health equity, health systems strengthening, and the intersection of technology, climate, and health. I completed my Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) at Lahore Medical & Dental College in Pakistan before pursuing an MSc Public Health for Development at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) as a Chevening Scholar.
My academic and professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to improving health outcomes for women and marginalised communities, particularly in low- and middle-income settings. Before joining LSHTM, I worked in public health consulting, contributing to maternal and newborn health, family planning, health policy, and health systems strengthening initiatives in Pakistan in collaboration with government, UN agencies, and international development partners.
What I enjoyed most about studying my programme/at LSHTM
What I valued most about LSHTM was the opportunity to engage critically with complex global health challenges and examine them through the lenses of equity, power, governance, and development. The MSc in Public Health for Development strengthened my ability to connect evidence and theory with the practical realities of public health policy and programming, particularly in resource-constrained settings. I especially appreciated learning alongside peers from diverse professional and geographical backgrounds, whose experiences challenged my assumptions and broadened my understanding of global health.
What I have been doing since graduating
Since graduating, I have continued working at the intersection of public health, and policy in Pakistan. I currently serve as Strategic Communications, Knowledge Translation and Partner Management Lead at the National AI Hub for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) at LUMS, where I work to advance the responsible use of artificial intelligence in health systems.
My work involves building partnerships across government, academia, and development organisations; supporting strategic initiatives and capacity-building programmes; and translating technical evidence into policy-relevant outputs. I am particularly interested in ensuring that emerging technologies respond to the needs of underserved communities and contribute to more equitable, accessible, and effective health services.
Alongside my work on AI for health, I remain engaged in climate and health advocacy, with a particular interest in how environmental risks such as extreme heat, floods and air pollution affect women’s health and vulnerable populations.
Extra information
My time at LSHTM reinforced my belief that meaningful progress in public health requires not only strong evidence, but also an understanding of the social, political, and institutional contexts in which health systems operate. It encouraged me to think beyond individual programmes and consider how research, policy, technology, and community perspectives can come together to create lasting change.
For me, the next frontier of public health lies in ensuring that innovations in AI and responses to climate change are guided by equity, accountability, and the needs of the people most often left behind. I hope to contribute to this work in Pakistan and across the wider region, while remaining connected to the global public health community that made my time at LSHTM so valuable.