DR.
MUHAMMAD SAFWAN AKRAM
EDUCATION
PhD Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology,
University of Cambridge, UK.
2007 to 2012 Research
Area: Analytical
Biotechnology, Biophysics &
Biomimetics for the
development of biosensors, diagnostic platforms
& industrial fermentation applications
Thesis: Functionalised self%assembling polyglutamine fusion tags
M.Phil Bioscience
Enterprise, University of Cambridge, UK. 2006-2007 Postgraduate life sciences business programme.
Business Strategy, Finance &
Accounting, Organization, Marketing, Microeconomics, Decision Theory, Healthcare Economics, Law &
Intellectual Property, Company Analysis, Business plan evaluation, Biotherapaeutics, Clinical Trials
Management & Valuation Methodology.
M.Sc Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan. 2005-2006 Score 82.8%; GPA
3.94/4.00; First in the year.
Industrial Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering,
Plant & Animal Cell Culture, Metabolism & Nutrition,
Immunology & Microbiology. Pharmaceutical Development & Molecular Biology.
B.Sc. (Hons) Biochemistry, University of the Punjab, Pakistan.
2001-2004 Gold Medal scoring 83.0%; GPA 3.93/4.00, University
Honors for highest marks across all
bachelor programs in the university.
Organic, Inorganic,
Physical & Bio% Chemistry, Physiology, Classical & Modern Genetics,
Botany.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
7 Research
publications including 1 in Nature
Biotechnology, 2 in Lab on a Chip, 1
in Annual Reviews of Analytical
Chemistry and 1 Book Chapter.
2 as first author, 1 as first
co%author, 3 as second author
RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE
2014 to date Assistant Professor, University of the Punjab, Pakistan.
Establishing first point of care diagnostics research
laboratory in Pakistan. I am teaching three
courses, Biosensors & Bioelectronics
and Protein Design & Engineering to BS & M.Phil students and Research
Methodologies to Ph.D. students. I am
also supervising research of 2 Ph.D., 3 M.Phil, 2 M.Sc and 1 B.S scholars.
2012LtoL2014 PostLdoctoral
Research Associate, University of Cambridge, UK
Working as a protein engineer & a bioassay developer
for cost effective biosensors. This project has allowed me to develop & manage outside partnerships as it is an EU framework 7
project.
2014LtoLdate Consultant, Amadeus Capital Partners, Cambridge, UK
Due diligence
on technology, life sciences & healthcare related business proposals.
2013 Consultant, Clinova, Southampton, UK
Working 10 hours per week on setting up a distribution
network for pharmaceuticals in Pakistan and
taking them through the registration and regulatory process.
2009 to 2012 Founding Partner &
CEO, YourBug L an innovative
synthetic biology consultancy
Cambridge
University Entrepreneurs Award: Best business idea in 2010
2011 Demonstrator, CET1, Physical Chem. Lab., University of Cambridge, UK Explained to students
essential concepts and experiments required
to carry out enzyme kinetics at the
Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology.
2011 Consultant, iLTeams,
Cambridge, UK
Worked around 10 hours per week on investigating
the potential of a novel microencapsulation technology in relation to drug delivery,
diagnostics & fermentation applications
and suggested possible commercialization strategies to the client
2009 Consultant, Alberta Ingenuity Fund, Edmonton,
Alberta, Canada
Advised them on
establishing science parks & business incubators with Univ. of Alberta
2007 Business
Analyst, One Nucleus L Biotechnology Networking Organisation
Dissertation: Investment trends in the Cambridge
Biotechnology Cluster
In a 3%month internship, I made a financial database of
Cambridge & Oxford Biotechnology Cluster detailing series & sector wise investments.
2006 Consultant,
Psynova Neurotech Ltd – a company developing molecular diagnostic tests for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Calculated potential savings for NHS and worked on reimbursement strategy.
It was part of MoTI consultancy projects run by
Judge Business School.
2005 to date Marketing Manager,
Renacon Pharma Pvt.
Ltd. Pakistan : a company making kidney dialysis
solution and selling successfully in Pakistan.
Increased their revenue two folds in first quarter
of my job. I had to leave
the job on account of leaving the country and since then I have been in touch with them advising
on different technical
& marketing aspects. I meet with the management team
at least twice a year.
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
·
MedImmune Award for best solutions to the
challenges faced by MedImmune.
·
CambridgeSens Award of £5000 for creating a novel biological solar cell.
·
Cambridge
Commonwealth Trust Scholarship (2006:2010).
·
Chief Minister
Scholarship, in recognition of extraordinary academic record.
·
Certificate of
Distinction, received from President,
Islamic Republic of Pakistan at Students Convention 2004.
SELECTED SHORT COURSES
2012 Biopharmaceutical Pricing & Market Access Strategy
2011 Project Management
2009 Research project
management
TEAM WORK & LEADERSHIP
Societies Vice President, Cambridge University
Technology & Enterprise
Club (CUTEC) (2006: 2007) organized a very successful Technology
Venture Conference and led the content team.
Founded Pakistan
Youth Revolution (PYR), a platform
organization to carry out social activities
in Pakistan.
·
To date the
organization has established 5 medical camps.
·
Built 10 houses for flood victims.
Secured in excess of £5,000
for hospitals for the mentally challenged