Dr. Madiha Kanwal

Dr. Madiha Kanwal currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biosciences at Salim Habib University (SHU), Karachi, Pakistan. She holds a Ph.D. in Biotechnology with a strong research background in molecular biology, particularly in the epigenetic and genetic analysis of cell signaling pathway genes in squamous cell carcinomas.

Dr. Kanwal is highly skilled in a wide range of molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction from various biological sources (blood, tissue, bacterial cells, and viruses), primer design, bisulfite modification, tissue culture, and multiple forms of PCR (conventional, T-ARMS, allele-specific, methylation-specific). She is also experienced in PCR product purification, gel purification, and the analysis of DNA sequencing results.

Her research is primarily focused on understanding the genetic and epigenetic underpinnings of cancer, with an emphasis on translating this knowledge into potential therapeutic strategies. Dr. Kanwal is an HEC Approved PhD Supervisor and holds IFBA Certification in Biorisk Management, further demonstrating her commitment to both research and safe laboratory practices. Her expertise and dedication make her an integral member of the academic community at SHU.

Selected Conference Presentations

• Madiha Kanwal, Ghulam Haider, Abdul Hameed, Asmat Salim, Sitwat Zehra, Tuba Shakil Malick, Abid Azhar, Saima Saleem. DNA methylation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma leads to the down-regulation of the mammalian sterile 20-like kinase 1 gene. European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Conference: Chromatin and Epigenetics held on May 15-18, 2023, at Heidelberg, Germany.
•  Mehreen Lateef, Madiha Kanwal, Laraib Liaquat, Tooba Hussain, Muhammad Wajahat. Effect of smoking on low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein polymorphism rs3736228 in Pakistani males: a susceptibility to osteoporosis. WCO-IOF- ESCEO (World Congress on Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases-International Osteoporosis Foundation-The European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases) held on May 4-7, 2023, at Barcelona, Spain.
•  Madiha Kanwal, Abid Azhar, Tuba Shakil Malick, Asmat Salim, Ghulam Haider, Abdul Hameed, Sitwat Zehra, Saima Saleem. Down-regulation of Mammalian Sterile 20-like Kinase 1 Gene: An outcome of DNA Methylation in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. “European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Conference: Chromatin and Epigenetics”, May 17-20, 2021 virtually from Heidelberg, Germany.
• Madiha Kanwal, Abid Azhar, Abdul Hameed, Faria Fatima, Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi, Uzma Zareef, Ghulam Haider, Saima Saleem. Genetic Variation at Promoter Region of MST1 in Tobacco Addicted and Non-addicted Patients of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. “International Cancer Education Conference: Revolutionizing Cancer Education Globally through Technology across Generations”, 18 – 20 September 2019, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
• Saima Saleem, Madiha Kanwal, Abdul Hameed, Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi, Faria Fatima, Uzma Zareef, Ghulam Haider, Abid Azhar. Emerging Epigenetic Regulation of Hippo Pathway: Role of DNA Methylation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. “International Cancer Education Conference: Bridging the Gap through Health Equity, Innovation and Advocacy in Global Communities”, 3 – 5 October 2018, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
• Saima Saleem,Zubair Ahmad Abbasi, Faria Fatima, Syed Aqib Ali Zaidi, Madiha Kanwal, Abdul Hameed,  Uzma Zareef, Abid Azhar. Relationship of Tobacco Chewing Carcinogens with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC): Epigenetic Delta 32 Somatic Cell Deletion in CC-Chemokine Receptor 5 (CCR5). “International Cancer Education Conference: Bridging the Gap through Health Equity, Innovation and Advocacy in Global Communities”, 3 – 5 October 2018, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.