**Biography of Iqbal Mohammad**
### 1. Early Life
Iqbal Mohammad was born on May 5th, 1978, in Lahore, Pakistan. He was the middle child in a family of five, with an older sister and a younger brother. Growing up, Iqbal showed an early interest in the sciences and was particularly fascinated by the world of biology and medicine. His father,
Ahmed-Mohammad, was a well-respected professor of Mathematics at a local university, and his mother,
Saira-Begum, was a high school teacher. This academic environment deeply influenced his educational aspirations.
Iqbal attended Crescent High School, where he excelled academically, particularly in the sciences. His teachers frequently commended him for his curiosity and dedication. After graduating top of his class in 1996, he pursued higher education at the University of Karachi, where he studied biochemistry.
### 2. Career
Following his graduation in 2000 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Iqbal moved to the United States to further his studies. He obtained a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from Stanford University in 2005. His doctoral research, which focused on genetic markers for diabetes, was published in several prestigious academic journals, setting the stage for his future career.
After completing his Ph.D., Iqbal joined the research team at Biogen Inc, a biotechnology company in Massachusetts. Over the next decade, he worked his way up to become the Director of Genetic Research, focusing on developing genetic therapies for chronic diseases. Iqbal's work contributed significantly to the development of new drug therapies and earned him a reputation as a leading figure in genetic research.
In 2015, Iqbal returned to Pakistan to take up the position of Chief Scientific Officer at the National Institute of Health Islamabad. His role involved overseeing research projects across various health disciplines and fostering international collaborations to enhance healthcare innovations in Pakistan.
### 3. Notable Achievements
Throughout his career, Iqbal Mohammad has made numerous contributions to the field of medical science, particularly in genetic research. Some of his notable achievements include:
- Developing a pioneering genetic therapy for Type 2 Diabetes, which has been recognized as a significant breakthrough in the treatment of the disease.
- Receiving the Young Scientist Award in 2010 by the World Health Organization for his outstanding contributions to genetic research.
- Establishing a collaboration between the National Institute of Health Islamabad and
John-Hopkins University to research infectious diseases prevalent in South Asia.
- Initiating and securing funding for the first-ever genetic research lab in Pakistan, which has been crucial in studying genetic diseases prevalent in the region.
### 4. Personal Life
Iqbal Mohammad is married to
Sara-Khan, a pediatrician whom he met during his studies at Stanford University. The couple has two children, a daughter named Ayesha and a son named Zain. Iqbal is known for his passion for education and often spends time conducting workshops and seminars for young scientists. He also enjoys hiking and is an avid reader of historical non-fiction, reflecting his deep interest in the lessons from the past. Iqbal and his family currently reside in Islamabad, where they are active members of their local community.
Iqbal Mohammad continues to inspire many within and outside his field through his dedication to healthcare research and his commitment to using science for the betterment of society.