- Ph.D., Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, 2020
- M.S., Biomedical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2014
- B.S., Biomedical Engineering, University of Connecticut, 2013
- Good Clinical Practices (GCP) in Medical Device Clinical Investigations
- National Institutes of Health TL1 Clinical & Translational Science Fellowship 2016 -2019
- Society for Biomaterials “STAR” Award 2018
- Bridgeside Research Forum “Best Presentation” Award 2018
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- Society for Biomaterials (SFB)
- Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS)
- Urdu
Dr. Iftikhar specializes in characterizing biomaterial-tissue interactions and developing immunomodulatory strategies to enhance the understanding of the tissue specific micro-environment. She has extensive experience in the translational sciences field and in developing clinically relevant research models to highlight the best approach to understanding host-biomaterial interactions.
Dr. Iftikhar's preclinical background in immunology, polymer chemistry, and biomaterial development enables her to better understand the translation into clinical research studies and maintaining clinical standards (IRB, CAP/CLIA, GLP/GCLP, ISO). She has experience managing multi-site clinical research studies as well as authoring and providing technical review on numerous regulatory documents, procedures, and policies to ensure consistency with clinical processes.
Prior to joining Ģtv, Dr. Iftikhar was a Clinical Research Scientist at Machaon Diagnostics conducting clinical research studies. Dr. Iftikhar completed her Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at University of Pittsburgh. Her research expertise includes biomolecule eluting polymeric coatings, classification of inflammatory and tissue remodeling responses to biomaterials, characterization of biomaterials for fertility preservation, and using surgical, immunohistochemical and biochemical assay techniques to characterize the complex immune response to implants in women's health.