National head and neck pathology conference concludes at KMU Peshawar
PESHAWAR: A national-level scientific conference focusing on precision diagnostics in head and neck diseases concluded successfully at Khyber Medical University (KMU), bringing together leading pathologists, clinicians, researchers, and students from across Pakistan.
The three-day PAP–PSOMP–KMU Conference 2026, themed “Head and neck pathology: Precision in practice,” was held from January 19 to 21 at Alexander Fleming Hall, KMU. The event was organized by the Department of Oral Pathology, Institute of Pathology and Diagnostic Medicine (IPDM), KMU, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association of Pathologists (PAP), Pakistan Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology (PSOMP), and the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), KMU.
Workshops focus on practical skills, innovation
The conference opened with pre-conference workshops on January 19 and 20, offering hands-on learning in key areas of pathology and research. A workshop on manuscript writing was conducted by Prof. Dr. Ihsan Ullah, Dr. Humera Adeeb, and Dr. Jibran Ayub. Another session on bridging histopathology and immunohistochemistry for diagnosing head and neck lesions was led by Prof. Dr. Abbas Saleem Khan and Dr. Naveed Sharif.
Participants also attended a workshop on artificial intelligence in dental diagnostics facilitated by Prof. Dr. Asif Ali, Dr. Benish Aleem, and Dr. Mashal Khan. A fourth workshop titled “Head and neck pathology: Practical reporting, staging, and pitfalls” was conducted by Prof. Dr. Nauman Rauf Khan, President of PSOMP, and Dr. Benish Aleem.
Main conference highlights precision, research
The main conference on January 21 featured keynote and invited lectures, parallel oral research presentations, and an award ceremony. Prof. Dr. Zia Ul Haq (SI), Vice Chancellor of KMU and Patron-in-Chief of the conference, sent his felicitations and welcomed participants to the scientific gathering.
Prof. Dr. Samrina Mohammad, President PSOMP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, delivered the welcome address. Prof. Dr. Arshad Mahmood Malik, Dean, HBS Dental College Islamabad, presented research comparing CO₂ laser and scalpel incisions in oral mucosal surgery, highlighting their impact on wound healing. He also demonstrated modern techniques in exodontia using visual animations and clinical cases.
Prof. Dr. Asif Ali of KMU spoke on research collaboration and shared findings from the ICRG-46 project, jointly funded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and the British Council. His presentation focused on identifying diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma.
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Dr. Ali Talha, Associate Professor and Consultant at Lady Reading Hospital, MTI, discussed precision oncogenomics and its relevance to oral cancer. Dr. Sarah Javed and Dr. Maryam of KMU presented on biopsy techniques and specimen processing, while Dr. Seema Shafiq, Head of Oral Pathology at IIDC Islamabad, shared a case report on plasmacytoma.
Young researchers recognized
A postgraduate oral research presentation competition was held during the conference, showcasing emerging scientific work in oral and head and neck pathology. Dr. Fakeha Ansari won first prize, followed by Dr. Ambreen Murtaza in second place and Dr. Anoushia Zahid in third.
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Closing remarks, future direction
The conference concluded with closing remarks by Prof. Dr. Yasar Yousafzai, Director IPDM, KMU, who thanked the speakers and participants and praised the organizers for conducting a comprehensive academic event. Chief organizer Dr. Benish Aleem, Head of Oral Pathology at IPDM, KMU, formally wrapped up the proceedings with a group photograph symbolizing professional collaboration and future research networking.
Organizers said the conference strengthened national collaboration in head and neck pathology and reinforced the role of precision diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and molecular research in improving patient outcomes.
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