Romaina Iqbal

Romaina Iqbal is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences at Aga Khan University in Karachi. She is a Public Health Nutritionist and serves as Section Head for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health and is the Director of Continuing Education Programs. Her work combines research and education, fostering innovation in population health and capacity building.

Her research focuses on preventing noncommunicable diseases in South Asia, particularly related to dietary intake, physical inactivity, tobacco exposure, and air quality pollution. She has led multiple population-based studies and interventions involving school-aged children and pregnant women. Currently, she is examining policies and marketing practices that influence the consumption of chips, biscuits, and sugar-sweetened beverages in the region. She ranks among the world’s top 2% most cited scientists (Stanford University, 2023, 2025) and among Pakistan’s top ten health scientists (Pakistan Council of Science and Technology, 2017).

Dr Iqbal has led international and local efforts to improve the skills of Allied Health Professionals, especially in the nutrition field in low- and middle-income countries. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Grassroots, promoting equity-focused research in underserved communities.