09/11/2025
PASBAN Proudly Honors Dr. Sadaf Ahmed — First Female President-Elect Recognized Internationally for Advancing Neuroscience Education in Pakistan.
Karachi/San Diego — [November 2025] — The Pakistan Society of Basic and Applied Neuroscience (PASBAN) proudly celebrates a historic milestone as its President-Elect and first female president, Dr. Sadaf Ahmed, receives the prestigious Science Educator Award from the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) — a global honor supported by the Allen Institute.
This distinguished award recognizes neuroscientists worldwide who have made outstanding contributions to science education and public engagement. Dr. Ahmed’s recognition marks a moment of immense pride for Pakistan and PASBAN, acknowledging her tireless efforts to build neuroscience education, awareness, and research capacity across the nation.
As President-Elect of PASBAN, Dr. Ahmed has played a transformative role in elevating the profile of neuroscience in Pakistan — from an emerging discipline to a thriving, globally connected field. Her leadership has strengthened PASBAN’s vision of promoting brain research, scientific literacy, and collaborative learning across institutions and borders.
Dr. Ahmed has pioneered several groundbreaking initiatives: establishing Pakistan’s first Psychophysiology Laboratory, founding the Advance Educational Institute and Research Center (AEIRC), and designing community-based neuroscience programs that connect science with society. Through over 200 public seminars, awareness campaigns, and interactive workshops — many conducted in Urdu and regional languages — she has made neuroscience understandable and relevant for students, educators, and healthcare professionals nationwide.
Her advocacy extends beyond academia. Under her leadership, PASBAN has strengthened its international partnerships with organizations such as the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), World Women in Neuroscience (WWN), and the Dana Foundation. These collaborations have positioned Pakistan as an active contributor to the global neuroscience community, fostering exchanges, training opportunities, and a shared commitment to advancing brain science for public good.
As a passionate advocate for women in neuroscience, Dr. Ahmed continues to open doors for young female scientists, promoting leadership, mentorship, and visibility for women in research. Her work exemplifies how education, advocacy, and empathy can shape the future of science in developing nations.
“Dr. Sadaf Ahmed’s recognition by the Society for Neuroscience is not only a personal achievement but a reflection of PASBAN’s growing impact,” said the PASBAN Executive Council. “Her dedication has connected Pakistan’s neuroscience community to the world and inspired a new generation of researchers.”
Through her visionary leadership, Dr. Ahmed has redefined what neuroscience means for Pakistan — transforming it from a specialized academic field into a movement for awareness, inclusion, and human wellbeing.
Sadaf Ahmed Pakistan Academy of Neurological Surgery
