Assoc. Prof. Dr. Salma Khan | Health Disparities | Best Researcher Award
Associate Professor at Loma Linda University, United States
Dr. Salma Khan is an accomplished physician-scientist and Associate Professor at Loma Linda University, with faculty appointments in Internal Medicine, Otolaryngology, and the Center for Health Disparities and Molecular Medicine (CHDMM). With over two decades of academic, clinical, and translational research experience, she is recognized for her contributions to gynecologic oncology and thyroid cancer research. Her interdisciplinary expertise spans molecular biology, endocrine oncology, and cancer health disparities, especially in underrepresented populations. Dr. Khan’s academic influence is evidenced by her leadership roles on institutional committees, active membership in prominent scientific societies, and editorial board positions in peer-reviewed journals. She has mentored numerous students, medical residents, and fellows, promoting diversity and inclusion in biomedical research.
Profiles
Education
Dr. Khan’s educational journey began with an MBBS from Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India, followed by a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the Institute of Postgraduate Medicine and Research in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She completed a clinical fellowship and later earned her Ph.D. in Gynecologic Oncology from Kumamoto University in Japan. Her early training in clinical medicine laid the groundwork for her transition into academic medicine and research. During her doctoral and postdoctoral years, she received prestigious fellowships and scholarships, including the Japanese Government’s Monbusho Scholarship, which supported her work on trophoblast biology and hormone regulation in the placenta.
Experience
Dr. Khan has held a series of progressive academic positions, including postdoctoral fellowships at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Loma Linda University. She was appointed Assistant Research Professor in 2012 and advanced to Associate Professor in 2023. She has served across multiple departments, including Internal Medicine and Otolaryngology, reflecting her multidisciplinary impact. Clinically, she worked as a staff physician in India and Bangladesh, enriching her global medical perspective. Her academic service extends to committee leadership roles, such as Chair of the Basic Science Symposium Committee and Vice Chair of the University Faculty Council at Loma Linda. Her collaborations span national and international institutions, enhancing her role as both a researcher and educator.
Research Interest
Dr. Khan’s research focuses on cancer health disparities, particularly in thyroid and gynecologic malignancies. Her work integrates bulk RNA-sequencing, microRNA profiling, and molecular biomarker discovery to understand tumor heterogeneity across ethnic groups. A strong advocate for personalized medicine, she investigates mutational pathways and protein expression differences that inform treatment strategies in aggressive thyroid and ovarian cancers. She is also deeply involved in studies exploring the role of vitamin D metabolism, exosomal communication, and immune microenvironments in oncogenesis. Her recent work with artificial intelligence to identify tumor biomarkers exemplifies her commitment to innovation in translational oncology.
Award
Dr. Khan has received numerous honors recognizing her research excellence and mentorship. These include the 2024 AACR Women in Cancer Research Award, Best Basic Science Research Award at the 2024 Annual Symposium in California, and multiple Best Mentor Awards from the Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA). She is a multi-time recipient of the American Thyroid Association (ATA) Travel Award and has earned accolades for her posters and presentations at national meetings. Her consistent recognition reflects her dual commitment to impactful science and community mentoring.
Publication
Dr. Khan has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. Seven representative works include:
-
Barseghyan et al., “Unraveling Racial Disparities in Papillary Thyroid Cancer,” Current Oncology, 2025 – Investigated gene expression in ethnic populations; cited by multiple cancer disparity reviews.
-
Pakkianathan et al., “Targeting Surface Markers in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer,” Journal of the Endocrine Society, 2025 – Proposed novel therapeutic directions; referenced in thyroid cancer treatment studies.
-
Pakkianathan et al., “Mutational Landmarks in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer,” Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2025 – Offered genomic insights; cited in precision oncology articles.
-
Muinde et al., “AI Discovery of Cellular Biomarkers in Ovarian Cancer,” Molecular Cancer Research, 2025 (Under review) – Employed AI in histopathology; preliminary citations in data-driven cancer analysis.
-
Chris Perry et al., “Inclusion of Silver Nanoparticles into Condensed DNA,” Journal of Nanoparticles Research, 2025 – Explored nanomedicine applications; cited in nanotechnology and oncology integration papers.
-
Lamia et al., “Vitamin D Signaling in Liver Cancer,” Journal of BMANA, 2025 – Reviewed preventive strategies; widely shared among public health researchers.
-
Tamanna et al., “Colorectal Cancer and Serum Vitamin D Pathways,” Disease & Research, 2024 – Connected vitamin D with colorectal outcomes; cited in recent meta-analyses.
Conclusion
Dr. Salma Khan stands as a leading voice in the intersection of molecular oncology and health disparities. Her career blends high-impact research, dedicated mentorship, and clinical insight across multiple continents and cultures. Through her commitment to equity-driven science and translational breakthroughs, she continues to inspire the next generation of researchers and clinicians. Her contributions are shaping the landscape of endocrine and gynecologic cancer research, with a lasting legacy grounded in scientific excellence and compassionate mentorship.