Dr. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram
Associate Professor, IRCBM
Area of Interest: Molecular Oncology, Molecular Genetics, Tissue Engineering, Regenerative Medicines, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Tissue Engineering, 3D Printing
Tel # (Off): 111-001-007  

Dr. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram is a tenured Associate Professor at the Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad. She holds a PhD from the University of Cologne, Germany, and has built an internationally recognised profile in molecular oncology, tissue engineering, biotechnology, and regenerative medicine.
Her research has been published in top-tier journals including Nature and Science, with extensive citations reflecting global impact. She has presented her work at leading international conferences, delivering keynote and invited lectures in Europe, Australia, and Asia, and has played key roles in organizing international symposia. Her achievements are further underscored by prestigious awards such as the Lerner Family Foundation Early Career Award, multiple international travel fellowships, and recognition for best scientific presentations.
Dr. Ikram has led nationally and internationally funded projects focused on advanced biomaterials, cancer therapeutics, and regenerative medicine. Her collaborations span leading institutions in Germany, Turkey, and beyond, demonstrating her capacity to build and lead impactful global research networks.
She is also an innovator with patents on novel bioinks, hydrogels, and tissue-engineering technologies that hold strong translational and commercial potential. These innovations directly address global challenges in wound healing, bone regeneration, and cancer therapy, and position her as a pioneer in cutting-edge biomedical technologies.
Her leadership extends to mentoring young scientists, establishing collaborative frameworks, and bridging academic and industrial sectors. With this portfolio of excellence, combining high-impact publications, international recognition, patents, and research leadership, Dr. Ikram exemplifies an internationally recognised researcher whose contributions provide exceptional benefit to global science and society.

Funded Projects:

Current Projects:
1. A New Therapeutic Approach for Osteoarthritis: Use of 3D Printed Bioscaffolds from Decellularized Umbilical Cord for Cartilage Regeneration (2022 - 2024) PIs: Dr. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram,Dr. Asma Tufail Shah, Budget: 11.19, Funded By: HEC-NRPU .
2. Use Of RNA Nanopartilces For The Regression Of Cancer (2022 - 2025) PIs: Dr. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram,Dr. Arsalan Ahmed Ansari , Budget: 3.1M, Funded By: PSF .
Completed Projects:
1. Erasmus Exchange Programe (2020 - 2023) PIs: Dr. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram, Budget: Euro 12400, Funded By: ERASUMS .

Publications:

Books:
1. Hafiza Fakhera Ikram, Elif ILHAN, Ridvan YILDIRIM (2023), "Stem Cells, Bioengineering, and 3D Scaffolds for Neural Tissue Engineering. ", published by: WoodHead, pp: 315-341    (External URL)
Journal Papers:
1. Hafsah Akhtar, Kashif Ijaz, Fakhera Ikram, Ume Omema, AbdulSamad Khan, Sultan Akhtar, Fahad Hussain Alhamoudi, Ihtesham U. Rehman, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry. (2025), "Novel flow synthesized phase pure and doped zinc oxides with tailorable properties for potential anticancer applications.", Inorganic Chemistry Communications., Vol: 180   
2. Gita Parviz a b , Ece Guler, Ayse Nur Hazar-Yavuz, Humeyra Betul Yekeler, Esra Tatar, Feyza Kocar, Sinan Sermet, Asima Asghar , Xiaofeng Wang, Fakhera Ikram, Deepak M. Kalaskar, Muhammet Emin Cam (2025), "Characterization and anti-Alzheimer's effect of donepezil-loaded chitosan/polyethylene glycol nanospheres", Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. , Vol: 108   
3. Muhammad Khaqan Zia, Zekiye Akdag, Asima Asghar, Sena Celik, Kevser Duman, Tayyaba Bari, Songul Ulag, Canan Dogan, Oguzhan Gunduz, Fakhera Ikram*. (2025), "Caffeic Acid Encapsulated 3D Printed Polycaprolactone/Polyvinylpyrrolidone Scaffolds for Wound Healing Applications. ", Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology.    
4. Ece Guler, Humeyra Betul Yekeler, Burcu Uner, Murat Dogan, Asima Asghar, Fakhera Ikram, Yusufhan Yazir, Oguzhan Gunduz, Deepak M Kalaskar,* and Muhammet Emin Cam (2024), "In Vitro Neuroprotective Effect Evaluation of Donepezil-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles-Embedded PVA/PEG Nanofibers on SH-SY5Y Cells and AP-APP Plasmid Related Alzheimer Cell Line Model", Macromolecular Materials and Engineering    (External URL)
5. Saira Sajjad, Oliver Görke, Fatma Z Kocak, Muhammad Shumail, Saimoon Tehseen, Saba Zahid, Fakhera Ikram, Muhammad Yar, Abdul Samad Khan, Asma Tufail Shah. (2024), "Acetanilide-loaded injectable hydrogels with enhanced bioactivity and biocompatibility for potential treatment of periodontitis.", Journal of Applied Polymer Science    (External URL)
6. Ece Guler, Humeyra Betul Yekeler , Gita Parviz , Saliha Aydin, Asima Asghar, Murat Dogan, Fakhera Ikram*, Deepak M Kalaskar, Muhammet Emin Cam (2023), "Vitamin B12-loaded chitosan-based nanoparticle-embedded polymeric nanofibers for sublingual and transdermal applications: Two alternative application routes for Vitamin B12", International Journal of Biological Macromolecules    (External URL)
7. Farasat Iqbal, Asif Ali, Mahnoor Naveed, Fakhera Ikram and Hira Fatima. (2023), "Hydrothermal deposition of high strength biocompatible magnesium phosphate coating through in situ conversion of AZ91D-3Ca magnesium substrate", Surface and Coatings Technology    (External URL)
8. Asif Ali, Fakhera Ikram, Farasat Iqbal, Hira Fatima, Azra Mehmood, Maruf Yinka Kolawole, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Saadat Anwar Siddiqi and Ihtesham Ur Rehman (2021), "Improving the in vitro Degradation, Mechanical and Biological Properties of AZ91-3Ca Mg Alloy via Hydrothermal Calcium Phosphate Coatings", Frontiers in Materials    (External URL)
9. Arsalan Ahmed, Shumaila Sarwar, Yong Hu, Muhammad Usman, Muhammad Farrukh Nisar, Fakhera Ikram, Anila Asif, Saeed Ur Rahman, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry Ihtasham Ur Rehman. (2020), "Surface-modified polymeric nanoparticles for drug delivery to cancer cells", Expert Opinion on Drug Delivery     (External URL)
10. Yunis Moukbil, Busra Isindag, Velican Gayir, Burak Ozbek, Merve Erginer Haskoylu, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Faik NuzhetOktar, Fakhera Ikram, Mustafa Sengor, Oguzhan Gunduz (2019), "3D Printed Bioactive Composite Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering", Biopriniting    (External URL)
11. Yunis Moukbil, Busra Isindag, Velican Gayir, Burak Ozbek, Merve Erginer Haskoylu, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Faik NuzhetOktar, Fakhera Ikram, Mustafa Sengor, Oguzhan Gunduz. (2019), "3D printed bioactive composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering", Bioprinting, Vol: 17, Impact Factor: 2.6    (External URL)
12. Hamad Khalid, Saba Zahid, Fakhera Ikram, Haffsah Iqbal, Muhammad Samie, Lubna Shahzadi, Asma Tufail Shah, Muhammad Yar, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Sana Awan, Ather Farooq Khan, Ihtesham Rehman. (2019), "Bi-layered a-tocopherol acetate loaded membranes for potential wound healing and skin regeneration", Materials Science & Engineering, pp: 438-447, Vol: 101, Issue: 10, Impact Factor: 5.0   
13. Mehmet Onur Aydogdu, Ebru Toksoy Oner, Nazmi Ekren, Gokce Erdemir, Serap Erdem Kuruca, Esra Yuca Muge, Sennaroglu Bostan, Mehmet S.Eroglu, Fakhera Ikram, Muhammet Uzun, OguzhanGunduz. (2019), "Comparative characterization of the hydrogel added PLA/ß-TCP scaffolds produced by 3D bioprinting.", Bioprinting, Vol: 13, Impact Factor: 2.6    (External URL)
14. Asif Ali, Farasat Iqbal, Akhlaq Ahmad, Fakhera Ikram, Anaum Nawaz, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Saadat Anwar Siddiqi, Ihetesham ur Rehman. (2019), "Hydrothermal deposition of high strength calcium phosphate coatings on magnesium alloy for biomedical applications. ", Surface and Coatings Technology, pp: 716-727, Vol: 357, Impact Factor: 2.9    (External URL)
15. Asma Tufail Shah,, Saba Zahid, Fakhera Ikram, Muhammad Maqbool, Aqif Anwar Chaudhry, Muhammad Imran Rahim, Franziska Schmidt, Oliver Goerke, Abdul Samad Khan, Ihtesham ur Rehman. (2019), "Tri-layered functionally graded membrane for potential application in periodontal regeneration. ", Materials Science & Engineering: C., Vol: 103, Impact Factor: 5.0    (External URL)
16. Sandra Ackermann, Maria Cartolano, Barbara Hero, Anne Welte, Yvonne Kahlert, Andrea Roderwieser, Christoph Bartenhagen, Esther Walter, Judith Gecht, Laura Kerschke, Ruth Volland, Roopika Menon, Johannes M. Heuckmann, Moritz Gartlgruber, Sabine Hartli (2018), "A mechanistic classification of clinical phenotypes in neuroblastoma.", Science, pp: 1165-1170, Vol: 362, Issue: 6419, Impact Factor: 41.05    (External URL)
17. Aysenur Topsakal, Muhammet Uzun, Gaye Ugar, Aslihan Özcan, Esra Altun, F. Nüzhet Oktar, Fakhera Ikram, Oguzhan Gündüz, HilalTürkoglu Sasmazel, Ozan Özkan (2018), "Development of Amoxicillin-Loaded Electrospun Polyurethane/Chitosan/ß-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffold for Bone Tissue Regeneration,", IEEE Transactions on NanoBioscience., Standard: 1536-1241, Impact Factor: 2.15   
18. Fakhera Ikram, Sandra Ackermann, Yvonne Kahlert, Ruth Volland, Frederik Roels, Anne Engesser, Falk Hertwig, Hayriye Kocak, Barbara Hero, Daniel Dreidax, Kai-Oliver Henrich, Frank Berthold, Peter Nürnberg, Frank Westermann and Matthias Fischer (2016), "Transcription factor activating protein 2 beta (TFAP2B) mediates noradrenergic neuronal differentiation in neuroblastoma", Molecular Oncology, Vol: 2, Issue: 10, Impact Factor: 5.3   
19. Martin Peifer, Falk Hertwig, Frederik Roels, Daniel Dreidax, Moritz Gartlgruber, Roopika Menon, Andrea Krämer, Justin L. Roncaioli, Frederik Sand, Johannes M. Heuckmann, Fakhera Ikram, Rene Schmidt, Sandra Ackermann, Anne Engesser, Yvonne Kahlert, We (2015), "Telomerase activation by genomic rearrangements in high-risk neuroblastoma.", Nature, pp: 4, Vol: 526, Issue: 7575, Impact Factor: 41.2   

Qualification

Post-Doctorate
Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital, Cologne, Germany
Dec 2014 to Dec 2015
   
Ph.D
Cologne Centre for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
Oct 2009 to Dec 2014
   
M.Phil
Centre of Excellance in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Jan 2008 to Jul 2010
   
B.S (Hons)
Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Jun 2003 to Jun 2007
   
F.Sc (Pre-Medical)
Government College for Women, Gulberg, Lahore, Pakistan
Jul 1999 to Sep 2001
   
Matric
Government Girls High School, Kangan Pur, Kasur, Pakistan
Jan 1997 to Jun 1999
   

Experience

Associate Professor
Interdisciplinary Research Centre in Biomedical Material (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore, Pakistan
Jul 2023 to Date
   
Assistant Professor
COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan
Oct 2016 to Date
   
Assistant Professor
Centre for Apllied Molecular Biology (CAMB), University of the Punjab, Lahore
Jan 2016 to Oct 2016
   
Post-Doctorate
Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University Children`s Hospital, Cologne, Germany
Dec 2014 to Dec 2015
   

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