Junaid Kashir

Biography

Dr Kashir completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Sussex, before completing his D.Phil. (PhD) at the University of Oxford. He then completed two terms as a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Oxford, and at Cardiff University, where he is also currently a Research Fellow working in collaboration with Professor F. Anthony Lai. Dr Kashir is currently an Assistant Professor in Clinical Embryology in the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, where he is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Dr Kashir is also a member of the team administering and organising the Clinical Embryology and Reproductive Biology (CERB) track of the Masters in Biomedical Sciences (MBS), run in conjunction with the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), where Dr Kashir is also an Adjunct Scientist. Prior to his move to Alfaisal, Dr Kashir was also involved in contributing to the University of Oxford;s MSc in Clinical Embryology, where he developed a strong interest in teaching, and applying novel teaching methodologies to facilitate knowledge acquisition of students. Dr Kashir's main research activities thus far have revolved around oocyte activation, a fundamental event at fertilisation when the fertilising sperm initiates embryo development by activating the female oocyte. Through a series of characteristic transients in oocyte calcium (calcium oscillations), which are thought to be initiated by a sperm-specific factor termed PLCzeta (PLCζ). As can be ascertained from his publication record, Dr Kashir's research has significantly supported the utilisation of PLCζ as an invaluable biomarker with which to examine sperm health, which may prove particularly useful for the refinement of routine methodology utilised within Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Dr Kashir's research ambitions are geared towards understanding the fundamental molecular mechanisms that inexplicably link early fertilisation events such as oocyte activation, and the quality of embryogenesis. I am also interested in investigating the potential detrimental influence that routine assisted reproductive technology (ART) techniques may be exerting upon markers of sperm and oocyte, inadvertently damaging the fertilization capacity of such gametes. Indeed, human sperm contain over 1760 proteins thought to determine fertility, representing potential new biomarkers for male infertility, which can be correlated with pregnancy outcome. Dr Kashir's collaborative research has indicated that routine ART such as cryopreservation may inadvertently detrimentally affect the status of PLCζ within normally fertile sperm, reducing gamete quality. Not only would such research answer significant problems that currently persist within the reproductive sciences and cell biology, but also contribute towards improving the efficacy of current ART, improving patient care and ultimately, delivering a healthy baby to infertile couples, with high rates of success.

Research Interest

Clinical Embryology, Reproductive Biology, Biomedical Sciences.