We asked our colleagues to tell us who inspires them this International Women’s Day. This is one story from the EMPOWER-D team…
Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Role Model in Global Health and Climate Research
On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the achievements of Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak, an early-mid career researcher and academic at the Institute of Public Health and Social Sciences, Khyber Medical University (KMU). A dedicated scientist hailing from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, Dr Maria has made significant contributions to global health, qualitative research, and climate change. Her work serves as an inspiration for women in science, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Advancing Climate Change and Health Research
In 2024, KMU played a pivotal role in the Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where Dr Maria led the Curriculum Development for climate change and health and designed a specialist module that was integrated into the Master of Public Health curriculum.
As part of the study, she conducted interviews with community members, advocacy groups, government representatives, and postgraduate students, highlighting the urgent need for research into the health impacts of climate change—an often-overlooked but essential area for vulnerable populations.
In September 2024, a dissemination workshop showcased KMU’s contribution to the CHVA, reinforcing the critical importance of integrating health into climate research and policy.
Championing Climate Resilience Research
Last month, Dr Maria secured a $10,000 research grant from the Global Disaster Preparedness Center and the American Red Cross for her project: “Exploring Climate Resilience in a Low Middle Income Country: The Impact of Socioeconomic Incentives on Informal Workers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.”
This study will examine how socioeconomic incentives, such as the Benazir Income Support Programme and one-time cash grants, may enhance climate resilience among informal workers, a highly vulnerable group facing both environmental and economic instability. Her findings will contribute to the development of evidence-based policies aimed at protecting and empowering these communities in the face of climate change.
Prestigious Women in Science Fellowship
Dr Maria’s commitment and passion for advancing climate research was recognised in March 2025, when she was selected as a finalist for Cohort 4 of the Women in Science Fellowship — a distinguished programme led by the Institute of Global Health and Development at Aga Khan University (AKU) in collaboration with the University of Oxford. This fellowship supports early-mid career women researchers focusing on maternal health, climate change, and sustainable development.
As part of this fellowship, Dr Maria will be awarded a research grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Under the mentorship of leading experts from Oxford University and AKU, she will investigate the impact of extreme weather events on maternal health in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her research aims to generate empirical evidence to address climate-related risks faced by mothers and newborns, with the ultimate goal of influencing health policies to improve maternal and neonatal care.
Leading Postdoctoral Research in Global Health
After completing her PhD in 2023, Dr Maria was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship in January 2024 under the “Engagement of Community through Participatory Learning and Action for Control and Prevention of Type II Diabetes and Its Risk Factors (EMPOWER-D)” project at the NIHR-funded Centre for IMPACT, and is leading the process evaluation theme in this project, led by KMU.
KMU has provided her with an inclusive environment, the freedom to operate, and capacity-building opportunities, which have enabled her to achieve these remarkable milestones.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Women in Science
Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak’s journey is a testament to perseverance, education, and dedication. Through her pioneering contributions to climate resilience and global health, she is paving the way for more women in science and research.
In her role as an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Public Health & Social Sciences at KMU, she is currently supervising 20 master’s research projects and five research projects on climate change and health, with a particular focus on supporting female researchers from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
On this International Women’s Day, we honour Dr Maria Ishaq Khattak as a leader, researcher, and role model for aspiring women in STEM. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that when women are empowered, they break barriers, transform societies, and create a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
Who inspires you this International Women’s Day?
Story submitted by Gul Ghutai.
« Empowering Women Scholars in Global Health Research | Celebrating the Contributions of Afghan Women to Health and Community »
