Employee Profile

COMSATS University Islamabad

Lahore Campus

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Dr. Khuram Shahzad
Tenured Associate Professor
IRCBM
HEC approved PhD Supervisor
Area of Interest
Bioinformatics, Gene Expression Studies, Next Generation Sequencing Data Analysis, Machine Learning, Biomedical Materials
Office Telephone
111-001-007 Ext.
Official Email
Available via Message Portal
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Biography

Dr. Khuram Shahzad is a Tenured Associate Professor at the Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials (IRCBM), COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI), Lahore Campus, a position he has held since October 2024. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biosciences, CUI, Islamabad Campus, where he began his academic career following the completion of his doctoral studies.

Dr. Shahzad earned his PhD in Informatics from the Illinois Informatics Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. His doctoral research focused on high-throughput sequencing data mining and analysis techniques, forming the cornerstone of his expertise in computational biology and bioinformatics.

With a research portfolio that bridges life sciences and artificial intelligence, Dr. Shahzad specializes in RNA sequencing, genomics and proteomics data analysis, population genetics, database development, and the application of machine learning in biological systems. His work aims to uncover novel insights from complex biological data, driving forward innovations in precision medicine, agricultural biotechnology, and biomaterials.

Dr. Shahzad maintains active international collaborations with research groups in the United States and China, enhancing the global relevance and impact of his work. These partnerships support joint research initiatives, data sharing, and the development of advanced computational tools for multi-omics analysis.

Dr. Shahzad has led and participated in numerous interdisciplinary projects, focusing on transcriptomic profiling, biomarker discovery, microbial community dynamics, and the genetic improvement of livestock. He has also developed computational pipelines and AI-based models for processing and interpreting next-generation sequencing (NGS) data.

In addition to his research, Dr. Shahzad is deeply involved in teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Throughout his academic career, Dr. Shahzad has supervised numerous graduate and undergraduate students across diverse research domains, including bioinformatics, systems biology, and AI in genomics. His mentorship has played a critical role in shaping the next generation of researchers in Pakistan and beyond.

He has secured funding from prestigious national organizations such as the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and is actively involved in curriculum design, NCEAC accreditation of BS Bioinformatics program, and national bioinformatics initiatives. In addition to his research and teaching responsibilities, Dr. Shahzad contributes to peer review for international journals and serves on academic and editorial boards.

His long-term vision is to foster cross-disciplinary collaborations that harness the power of computational tools to solve complex biological challenges, ultimately bridging the gap between data-driven discovery and practical applications in health and agriculture.

Teaching Experience in Pakistan (Graduate and Undergraduate Courses)

  • Introduction to Bioinformatics
  • Structural and Functional Bioinformatics
  • Bioinformatics Analysis
  • Bioinformatics Colloquium
  • Applications of Bioinformatics
  • Database Development
  • Artificial Intelligence

Teaching Experience in USA

  • Introduction to Computing/JavaScript
  • Database Systems
  • Experimental Techniques in Molecular Biology

Students Supervision

MS students Under Supervision at CUI Lahore Campus

  • Zeeshan Hameed (Department of Chemistry)
  • Muhammad Zubair Shafique (Department of Computer Science)

MS students at Supervised at CUI Islamabad Campus

Coming soon...

BS students at Supervised at CUI Islamabad Campus

Coming soon...

 

Publications

Books 0
1.
Akbar H., Khan M.I., and Shahzad K. (2011), "HCV Therapy and Baseline IL-8 Levels: A Practical Approach", published by: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, pp: 140, Standard: 978-3639336184
(External URL)
2.
Shahzad K., Ahmed A. and Haq Z. (2010), "Protein Structure Prediction and Molecular Dynamics Simulation", published by: VDM Verlag Dr. Müller, pp: 148, Standard: 978-3639300277
(External URL)
Book Chapters 0
1.
Vailati-Riboni M., Shahzad K., Elolimy A., Coleman D., and Loor J.J. (2019), "Nutrigenomics and its perspective in nutrition", Poultry and pig nutrition: Challenges of the 21st century, published by: Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp: 159–185, Standard: 978-90-8686-333-4
(External URL)
2.
Anollés G. C., Minhas B. F., Aziz F., Mughal F., Shahzad K., Tal, G., Mittenthal J.E., Anollés D. C., Koç I., Nasir A., Anollés K. C., and Kim K. M. (2017), "The compressed Vocabulary of the Proteins of Archaea", Biocommunication of Archaea, edited by: Witzany G, published by: Springer, pp: 147–174, Standard: 978-3-319-65536-9
(External URL)
Journal Papers 0
1.
Junru Pan, Tingxian Chen, Cheng Pan, Xiaofeng Luo, Wenrui Ye, Tianzeng Song, Hua Long, Ouzhu Duoji, Jianzhao Cui, Zhuoma Jiayang, Khuram Shahzad, Wangsheng Zhao, Yangzong Zhaxi (2026), "Effects of rumen fluid transplantation on longissimus dorsi muscle development in Xizang sheep: An association analysis based on transcriptomic and serum metabolomic profiles", Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, Vol: 60, Issue: December 2026, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2026.101923, Impact Factor: 2.9
(External URL)
2.
Tianzeng Song,Xiaoming Zhang,Gaofu Wang,Guiqiong LiuORCID Icon,Shehr Bano Mustafa,Khuram Shahzad,Xiaoying Chen,Ming Zhang,Xianyin Zeng,Mengjun Liu,Jianzhao Cui,Wangsheng Zhao & Xunping Jiang (2026), "Transcriptomic profiling reveals differential muscle development and metabolic regulation in male Xizang sheep subjected to surgical vs. GnRH-immunocastration", Italian Journal of Animal Science , pp: 206-220, Vol: 25, Issue: 1, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2026.2625495, Impact Factor: 2.3
(External URL)
3.
Xiaofeng Luo, Junru Pan, Haiyan Li, Wenrui Ye, Shehr Bano Mustafa, Siraj Ahmed, Khuram Shahzad, Yonggang Sun, Wangsheng Zhao (2025), "Transcriptome analysis reveals intestinal gene expression and metabolic pathways in yaks", Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, Vol: 57, Issue: March 2026, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101686, Impact Factor: 2.4
(External URL)
4.
Shehr Bano Mustafa, Hua Long, Tianzeng Song, Xiaoming Zhang, Yangzong Zhaxi, Jing Wu, Xiaoying Chen, Khuram Shahzad, Xunping Jiang, Guiqiong Liu, Xianyin Zeng, Wangsheng Zhao (2025), "The impact of GnRH immunocastration on colonic microbiota and metabolites in male sheep", Reproduction Fertility and Development, Vol: 37, Issue: 10, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/RD24191, Impact Factor: 2.1
(External URL)
5.
Jing Wu, Xiaoming Zhang, Khan Ayesha, Shahzad Khuram, Jianzhao Cui, Gaofu Wang, Zhaxi Yangzong, Mingyan Shi, Xunping Jiang, Long Li, Guiqiong Liu, Wangsheng Zhao, and Tianzeng Song (2025), "Multi-omics analysis of the mechanism of alfalfa and wheat-induced rumen flatulence in Xizang sheep", Microbiology Spectrum, pp: 18, Vol: 13, Issue: 4, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.03268-24, Impact Factor: 3.7
(External URL)
6.
Haiyan Li, Xin Zhang, Yangzong Zhaxi, Cheng Pan, Zhenzhen Zhang, Junru Pan, Khuram Shahzad, Fengbo Sun, Yang Zhen, Jiacuo Jinmei, Wangsheng Zhao, Tianzeng Song (2025), "Integrative Multi-Omics Analysis Reveals Liver-Gut Axis Adaptation in High-Altitude Goats", Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, pp: 10, Vol: 54, Issue: June 2025, 101422, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2025.101422, Impact Factor: 2.2
(External URL)
7.
Rui Li, Junru Pan, Cheng Pan, Jingjing Li, Zhenzhen Zhang, Khuram Shahzad, Yu Sun, Quzhu Yixi, Wangjie Zhaxi, Haofeng Qing, Tianzeng Song & Wangsheng Zhao (2024), "Transcriptome analysis of mammary epithelial cell between Sewa sheep and East FriEsian sheep from different localities", BMC Genomics, pp: 1-15, Vol: 25, Issue: Article # 1038, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-10946-3, Impact Factor: 3.5
(External URL)
8.
Xiaoming Zhang, Tianzeng Song, Guiqiong Liu, Jing Wu, Yangzong Zhaxi, Shehr Bano Mustafa, Khuram Shahzad, Xiaoying Chen, Wangsheng Zhao, Xunping Jiang (2024), "GnRH Immunocastration in Male Xizang Sheep: Impacts on Rumen Microbiome and Metabolite Profiles for Enhanced Health and Productivity", Animals, pp: 1-17, Vol: 14, Issue: 20, DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14202942, Impact Factor: 2.7
(External URL)
9.
Haiyan Li, Cheng Pan, Fuqiang Wang, Zengkai Li, Khuram Shahzad, Yanping Huang, Wangsheng Zhao (2024), "Multi-omics reveals the effects of dietary supplementation with Bupleuri Radix branch powder on gut microbiota and lipid metabolism: insights into gut microbial- muscle interactions", Microbiology Spectrum, pp: 1-18, Vol: 12, Issue: e01457-24., DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01457-24, Impact Factor: 3.7
(External URL)
10.
Haiyan Li, Cheng Pan, Yifei Wang, Jingjing Li, Zhenzhen Zhang, Khuram Shahzad, Shehr Bano Mustafa, Ye Wang & Wangsheng Zhao (2024), "Analysis of histomorphology and SERNINA5 gene expression in different regions of epididymis of cattleyak", Journal of Molecular Histology, pp: 825–834, Vol: 55, Issue: 2024, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-024-10234-0, Impact Factor: 2.9
(External URL)
11.
Meilan Pan, Xiaofeng Luo, Zhenzhen Zhang, Jingjing Li, Khuram Shahzad, Zhaxi Danba, Gongbu Caiwang, Wangmu Chilie, Xiaoying Che, Wangsheng Zhao (2024), "The expression spectrum of yak epididymal epithelial cells reveals the functional diversity of caput, corpus and cauda regions", Genomics, pp: 1-13, Vol: 116, Issue: 5, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygeno.2024.110912, Impact Factor: 3.4
(External URL)
Conference Papers 0
1.
Shahzad, K., Osorio, J., Luchini, D. and Loor, J.J. (2015) "Systems nutrition in dairy cattle: integrating hepatic metabolomics and transcriptomics in late-pregnancy to better understand postpartal ketosis", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
(External URL)
2.
Shahzad, K., Osorio, J., Luchini, D. and Loor, J.J. (2014) "A comparative analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics from prepartal liver of cows developing ketosis postpartum and healthy cows supplemented with Smartamine M and MetaSmart during the transition period", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
(External URL)
3.
Zhao, W. S., Shahzad, K., Graugnard, D.E., Hurley, W. L. and Loor, J.J. (2012) "Functional and Pathways analysis of swine mammary gland transcriptome during late gestation using Bioinformatics approaches", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
4.
Shahzad, K. Bionaz, M., Rodriguez-Zas, S.L., and Loor, J.J. (2011) "Analysis of Bovine Liver Transcriptomics Data due to Level of Prepartal Dietary Energy using two Bioinformatics Approaches", ADSA-ASAS Joint Annual Meeting
(External URL)
5.
Shahzad, K. and Ahmed, A. (2009) "Structure Prediction of Wild-type Human MTHFR and Comparison with mutants", International Conference on Frontiers of Information Technology (FIT)

Experience

Tenured Associate Professor
COMSATS University Islamabad
Dec 2024 to Date

Assistant Professor
COMSATS University Islamabad
Jan 2018 to Nov 2024

Teaching Assistant
Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2016 to 2017

Teaching Assistant
School of Molecular and Cell Biology (MCB), University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2015 to 2016

Internship
Biomedical Informatics Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
May 2015 to Aug 2015

Teaching Assistant
Department of Computer Science, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2013 to 2015

Qualification

PhD Informatics
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2012 to 2017

MS Bioinformatics
University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
2010 to 2012

BS Bioinformatics
COMSATS Institute of Information and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
2005 to 2009