Iqbal Hamza

Dr. Iqbal Hamza is a Professor holding joint appointments at the University of Maryland's Department of Animal & Avian Sciences (College Park) and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (Baltimore). He leads groundbreaking research on heme trafficking mechanisms in eukaryotes, using C. elegans and parasitic nematodes as models. His work established foundational discoveries about heme import/export pathways and their relevance to human health.

Key affiliations include the Center for Blood Oxygen Transport and Hemostasis (CBOTH), Biological Sciences Graduate Program, and collaborations with NIH institutes. He has held visiting roles at the University of Torino and NIH branches.

Research focuses on heme's role in disease, particularly targeting parasitic infections and genetic disorders. Notable achievements include identifying conserved heme transporters in humans and parasites, leading to potential therapeutic applications. Awards include AAAS Fellowship and NIH career awards.

Professional activities span grant review panels (NIH, NSF, international agencies), editorial roles at PNAS and eLife, and founding Rakta Therapeutics Inc. to commercialize heme-related therapies.