Karachi: Renowned pediatrician and global child health expert Prof Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, along with several other leading pediatric researchers from the Aga Khan University (AKU), has been named among the world’s top 2% most-cited scientists for 2024 by Stanford University.
The list recognizes scholars whose research has made an exceptional impact on global health, education and policy, placing Pakistan’s academic community among the ranks of the world’s most influential scientists.
The prestigious global ranking, compiled annually using Elsevier’s Scopus database, assesses the scientific influence of researchers based on standardized citation data, reflecting the quality and reach of their published work. This year, more than 20 scholars affiliated with AKU have been included, highlighting the University’s growing global footprint in medical and public health research.
Among the top-ranked names are Prof Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Dr Salim S. Virani, Dr Romaina Iqbal, Dr Jai Kumar Das, Dr Sajid Bashir Soofi, Dr Farah Naz Qamar, Dr Fyezah Jehan, Dr Sarah Saleem, Dr Syed Asad Ali and Dr Junaid Abdul Razzak — all of whom have contributed to transforming maternal, newborn and child health, infectious disease control, and health systems in Pakistan and beyond.
Prof. Bhutta, who has consistently been recognized for both career-long and single-year scientific impact, leads global research collaborations addressing child and maternal health and nutrition across developing countries. His team’s work has influenced thousands of policy documents and global guidelines developed by agencies including the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the World Bank, shaping evidence-based practices in over two dozen countries.
AKU’s Vice Provost for Research and Professor of Medicine, Dr Salim S. Virani, said the achievement reflects the University’s continued investment in fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
“These rankings reflect not only the incredible talent housed within AKU but also the University’s steadfast dedication to fostering an environment of excellence,” he said. “We have consistently invested in state-of-the-art research facilities and fostered collaborations with world-leading institutions to encourage the pursuit of quality and innovation in our research.”
The recognition underscores Pakistan’s increasing visibility in global academic and scientific circles, with AKU’s researchers playing a key role in addressing regional and international health challenges. Collectively, AKU’s body of work has informed over 5,000 policy documents in 25 countries, strengthening the bridge between research and policymaking.
Through such international recognition, AKU continues to reinforce its role as one of Pakistan’s leading research-led institutions, attracting global collaborations, competitive funding and emerging talent committed to improving health and education outcomes in the developing world.
Ends