August 29, 2025 — The Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab proudly announces that two of its Ph.D. scholars successfully defended their doctoral theses today.

Mr. Muhammad Akram completed his Ph.D. research under the supervision of Dr. Nadeem Ahmed, Dr. Mohsin Ahmad Khan, and Prof. Dr. Kausar Malik. His thesis, titled “Development and Molecular Characterization of Exosomes Encapsulated IL-21 Peptide Fusion Proteins for Anticancer Potential”, explored innovative therapeutic strategies against cancer. His external examiners, Prof. Dr. Hassan Mushtaq, Chairman, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UVAS Lahore, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qasim Awan, Chairperson, Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, highly appreciated his project.

Ms. Komal Saleem defended her Ph.D. thesis on “Genomic Analysis of Host Cytokine Response to Hepatitis C Virus Infection” under the supervision of Dr. Samia Afzal and Prof. Dr. Ahmed Ali Shahid. Her external examiners were Dr. Sharif Masoud, Associate Professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University Faisalabad, and Prof. Dr. Zubair Yousaf, Professor at Kauser Abdulla Malik School of Life Sciences, Forman Christian College University. Both examiners commended her research work and its contribution to the field.

CEMB extends heartfelt congratulations to both scholars on this remarkable achievement and wishes them continued success in their scientific careers.