DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY

The Department of Physiology at King Edward Medical University traces its origins to the Lahore Medical School, established in 1860, where Dr. J.B. Scriven initiated the teaching of Physiology and laid its early foundations. In 1916, the department was formally housed in the historic Bahawalpur Block, generously donated by Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi, Nawab of Bahawalpur. Following independence, Prof. Dr. Shujjat Ali became the first Head of Department, marking the beginning of a strong academic tradition. Over the decades, it has evolved into a center of excellence in teaching and research, guided by distinguished faculty. The department is recognized by PM&DC and HEC for MPhil training and in the process of accreditation by CPSP. Through integrated teaching, practical training, and research engagement, it is committed to producing competent graduates and postgraduates in physiological sciences.

The Department of Physiology at King Edward Medical University aims to deliver high-quality, integrated, and student-centered physiology education through clinically contextualized teaching and evidence-based assessment. It strives to build strong conceptual understanding of normal human body function, foster critical thinking and clinical application, and align its academic practices with national competency-based frameworks. The department is committed to promoting professionalism, ethical conduct, lifelong learning, and a research-oriented environment, while strengthening interdisciplinary integration to support evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare.

UNDER GRADUATE
The following under-graduate teaching programmes are being catered:

• MBBS 1st & 2nd Year of the five years programme
• BDS 1st year of their four years teaching programme
• Doctorate in Physiotherapy (DPT) 1st & 2nd year of five years teaching programme.
• DPT 1st year of four years teaching programme.
• 1st Module of the Allied Health Sciences Graduate Programme.
• 1st Basic Module of Ophthalmic Technician 2year programme

POST- GRADUATE

The following post graduate courses are being conducted in the Physiology Department.

• MPhil leading to PhD in physiology, 5 scholars enrolled for the current session.
• MPhil Physiology 4 years programme 3 Scholars working on their theses, after completing their part I
• PhD in Physiology, one scholar already M.Phil degree holder is working on her thesis for PhD.

OTHER POST- GRADUATE TEACHING PROGRAMMES

The following programmes of various subjects come to this department for their basic modules or part one of their studies:

• MD/ MDS
• MS
• MPhil leading to PhD
• Diploma Courses

The Department of Physiology at King Edward Medical University regularly conducts comprehensive undergraduate and postgraduate teaching sessions, including lectures, practical demonstrations, tutorials, small group discussions, and problem-based learning (PBL). In addition, workshops, seminars, and symposiums are organized to enhance clinical integration and research skills. Physiology Day activities further enrich student engagement through creative initiatives such as the development of 3D models, animations, and scientific posters. Continuous assessment, including OSPE/OSCE-based evaluations and interactive learning strategies, is employed to ensure deep understanding and application of physiological concepts.

Research Publications by Dr. Mariam Rao (Assoc. Professor)
1. Serum Angiopoietin 1 as a biomarker of ectopic pregnancy, ESCULAPIO (vol.13, 2017)
2. Serum Angiopoietin 1 as a biomarker of missed abortion. Pakistan Journal of Physiology (vol.13, 2017)
3. Association between blood groups and myopia among medical students of FJMU Proceeding (FPGMI) vol. 33
4. Effect of endurance exercise on oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde in type 2 diabetic mice. Professional Med J 2020; 27(7):1493-1498. DOI: 10.29309/TPMJ/2020.27.07.4486
5. Innocent victims of passive smoking. An institutional experience. Professional Med J 2026.
6. Risk factors for development of dementia in Parkinson’s disease: Effect of Family History. Journal of Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Vol.14, Issue 4, 2020.
7. Preference of specialty in medical students of private and government medical colleges. PJMHS Vol 14, 2020
8. Association of serum vitamin D levels with hypertension. ESCULAPIO Vol16, issue 3, 2020
9. Effect of preferred learning styles on academic achievements: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Professional Med J 2021
10. Comparison of academic performance of students of different blood groups and gender. JAMDC Vol 3, 2021
11. Challenges faced by working mothers and housewives during online education of their children. PJMHS Vol 16, 2022
12. Association between maternal basal glucose level and intrauterine growth restriction: a comparative cross-sectional study. JAIMC Vol 20, 2022
13. Comparison of plasma NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin) levels in septic patients with and without acute kidney injury

Research Publications by Dr Abeer Fatima (Assoc. Professor)
Khan, Q.U., Khan, H.A., Ambreen, T., Hafeez, F., Qamar, M., Fatima, S.A., Nadeem, A. and Zulfiqar, S., 2019. Salivary cortisol levels in severely depressed patients and healthy individuals. International Journal of Medical Research & Health Sciences, 8(5), pp.21-25.
Khan, H.A., Khan, Q.U., Fatima, S.A., Qamar, M., Ibrahim, A.U. and Zulfiqar, S., 2019. Comparison of salivary alpha-amylase levels in schizophrenics and normal individuals. Pakistan Journal of Physiology, 15(1), pp.7-9.
Fatima, S., Naqvi, Q., Tauseef, A., Qamar, M., Khan, Q.U., Akram, T. and Saeed, M., 2020. Correlation of serum anti-mullerian hormone with ovarian follicle output rate in infertile females: a clomiphene citrate challenge test. Cureus, 12(5).
Nadeem, S., Tauseef, A., Javed, M., Qamar, M., Fatima, S.A. & Sajjad, S. (2019) ‘Association of thyroid adaptation with obese postmenopausal diabetic women’, Indo American Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 6(8), pp. 15601–15604.
Qamar, M., Fatima, S.A., Khan, H.A., Khan, Q.U., Nadeem, A. and Sikandar, H., 2020. Comparison of serum ferritin levels in nafld patients and healthy controls. Pakistan Armed Forces Medical Journal, 70(6), pp.1782-86.
Akram, T., Tauseef, A., Gardner, Q.A., Qamar, M., Javed, S. and Fatima, S.A., 2020. Association of hypertension and BMI in polycystic ovary syndrome in non obese Asian women. Annals of International Medical and Dental Research, 6(5), p.5.
Qamar, M., Tauseef, A., Tahir, M., Shahbaz, R.Y., Shafiq, M. and Syeda, A.F., 2022. Comparison Between Bleeding and Clotting Time During Menstrual Cycle in Healthy Females: Is There Any Variation?. NeuroQuantology, 20(16), p.2496.
Qamar, M., Tauseef, A., Naqvi, Q.A., Ehsan, K., Anwar, R. and Fatima, S.A., 2023. Serum ferritin; a strong non-invasive predictor for nafld progression. PAFMJ, 73, pp.462-7.
Qamar, M., Fatima, A., Tauseef, A., Yousufzai, M.I., Liaqat, I. and Naqvi, Q., 2024. Comparative and Predictive Significance of Serum Leptin Levels in Non alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Cureus, 16(4).
Farogh, A., Iqbal, Z., Qaiser, M.A., Hussain, B., Fatima, S.A. and Akhter, N., 2024. Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and the Role of ApoB and hsCRP in Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Comprehensive Analysis: Dyslipidemia, ApoB, and hsCRP in Acute Myocardial Infarction. Pakistan Journal of Health Sciences, p.287-292.
Sikandar H, Fatima A, Ali M, Qamar M, Hussain B, Naqvi Q. Exercise Effects of Serum Ghrelin and Insulin Resistance in First-Degree Relatives of Type 2 Diabetics. Esculapio – JSIMS 2025; 20(4):462-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.51273/esc24.25132043
Rehman, F., Lodhi, H.N., Chaudhry, S.R., Fatima, S.A., Fazal, A. and Rubi, G., 2025, June. Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Obese and Non-obese Postmenopausal Women. In Proceedings Vol. 39(2):p 67-72.

Research publications by Dr Seher Naeem (Assistant Professor)
1.Nazir, R., Saeed, M., Mustafa, G., Naeem, S., Lodhi, H.N. and Ijaz, S., 2024, January. Hepatoprotective Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar in Type-2 Diabetic Rat Model In Proceedings (Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 31-36).
2. Naeem, S., Saeed, M., Ilyas, J., Ashraf, A., Akram, M. and Nazir, R., 2023, November. Ameliorating Effect of Aqueous Ginger Extract And Exercise On Insulin Resistance in Fructose Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats Through Upregulation of Serum Sirtuin-1. In Proceedings (Vol. 37, No. 4, pp. 38-45).
3. Akram, M., Ilyas, J., Ashraf, A., Naeem, S., Ali, N. and Saeed, M., 2023, September. Impact of Screen Time on Sleep Quality and Mental Health in Young Male Students. In Medical Forum Monthly (Vol. 34, No. 9).
4. Nazir, R., Saeed, M., Lodhi, H.N., Mustafa, G., Naeem, S. and Rashid, Z., 2024. Antioxidant Effect of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Apple Cider Vinegar in Type 2 Diabetic Rat Model. Life and Science, 5(4), pp.06-06.
5. Fatima, S., Sabora, A., Anwar, I., Naeem, S. and Abrar, M., 2024. Unmasking The Hidden Clues: Shedding Light On The Potential Of Novel Biomarkers In Endometrial Cancer, Comparing RT Qpcr And Immunohistochemical Analysis In Clinical Specimens. Journal of Rawalpindi Medical College, 28(4).
6. Saleem, A., Saleem, I., Younus, D., Khalid, N., Naeem, S., Fatima, S., Maria, D. and Khan, R.Y., 2024. Addressing research ethical dilemmas on cognitively impaired mentally ill patients (CIMI): insights from a prisma-guided review: Ethics on Conducting Research on CIMI Patients. Foundation University Medical Journal, 6(Suppl, Jul-Dec), pp.45-53. 7. Ashraf, A., Naeem, S., Akram, M. and Saeed, M., 2025. Oxidative stress markers and brainstem auditory evoked potential in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal females. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 75(2), pp.243-248.
8. Naeem S, Irum M, Alam A, Nazir R, Naseem R, Lodhi HN. Impact of ginger and exercise on serum irisin and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic rat model. MedERA–Journal of CMHLMC. December 2025.
9. Muddassir, M.B., Saleem, E.S., Khalid, S., Naseem, R., Naeem, S. and Zainab, S., 2025, September. Stress Levels in Medical Students Studying in Conventional Versus Modular System. In Proceedings (Vol. 39, No. 3, pp. 152-157).

Research publications by Dr Madiha Akram (Assistant Professor)
1) Frequency of Hepatitis C in patients with Diabetes Mellitus http://pjmhsonline.com/index.php/pjmhs/article/view/1227
2) Effect of Hormonal Supplementation on pain tolerance in women, a cross sectional study http://pjmhsonline.com/index.php/pjmhs/article/view/1229
3) Ameliorating Effect of Aqueous Ginger Extract And Exercise On Insulin Resistance in Fructose Induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats Through Upregulation of Serum Sirtuin-1 https://proceedings-szmc.org.pk/index.php/szmc/article/view/409
4) Causes, Prevention Strategies and Treatment for Childhood Obesity for Growing Epidemic and its Health Risks https://medforum.pk/article/27causes-prevention-strategies-and-treatment-for-childhood-obesity-for growing-epidemic-and-its-health-risks
5) Impact of Screen Time on Sleep Quality and Mental Health in Young Male Students https://medforum.pk/article/33impact-of-screen-time-on-sleep-quality-and-mental-health-in-young male-students

Ongoing Research

1. Association of Serum Hepcidin with Iron Metabolism and Inflammatory Markers in Non-Dialysis Chronic Kidney Disease Patients
2. Comparison of Oxidative Stress Marker Malondialdehyde and Antioxidant Catalase Levels in Females with Secondary Infertility and Healthy Controls
3. Effect of Increased Dietary Fiber and Chia Seed Intake on Insulin Resistance and Inflammation in Prediabetic Individuals
4. Correlation of Serum Asprosin Levels with Blood Glucose in Young Adults

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories for neurophysiology, and experimental physiology. Facilities include advanced teaching aids, audiovisual systems, and research laboratories supporting under graduate & postgraduate training. The department also contributes to academic support services within the institution.