Dr. Benish Aleem becomes first PhD in Oral Pathology at KMU

PESHAWAR: Dr. Benish Aleem has become the first scholar to earn a PhD in Oral Pathology from the Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine at Khyber Medical University (KMU), Peshawar — a landmark achievement that advances KMU’s research capacity in oral cancer pathology.

Dr. Benish defended her PhD thesis titled: “Investigation of Immunohistochemical Prognostic Biomarker Signature for Oral Cancer.” Under the primary supervision of Prof. Dr. Asif Ali, her work benefited from international and national co-supervision by Prof. Dr. Syed Ali Khurram (University of Sheffield, UK) and Prof. Dr. Muslim Khan (Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar). The study investigates immunohistochemical biomarkers that may predict prognosis in oral cancer and aims to identify molecular indicators to improve treatment strategies and patient survival.

Key highlights

• Thesis title: “Investigation of Immunohistochemical Prognostic Biomarker Signature for Oral Cancer.”
  • Primary supervisor: Prof. Dr. Asif Ali.
  • Co-supervisors: Prof. Dr. Syed Ali Khurram (University of Sheffield, UK) and Prof. Dr. Muslim Khan (Khyber College of Dentistry, Peshawar).
  • Institutional milestone: first PhD in Oral Pathology awarded by KMU.

Research impact and significance

Dr. Benish’s research focuses on identifying immunohistochemical prognostic biomarker signatures that can refine diagnostic precision and guide therapeutic decisions in oral cancer. Her findings are positioned to contribute to translational research by informing clinical practice, improving prognostic stratification, and potentially guiding personalized treatment approaches to enhance patient outcomes.

Institutional response and future prospects

Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Zia ul Haq congratulated Dr. Benish Aleem, her supervisors, and the Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine, noting that this achievement reflects KMU’s growing emphasis on research excellence and innovation in medical sciences. He added that such milestones bolster the university’s academic reputation and lay the groundwork for high-impact translational research addressing local and global health challenges.

This milestone underscores KMU’s commitment to capacity building in specialized fields like Oral Pathology and strengthens its role as a leading medical research and education center in Pakistan and the region.