Momal Sharif

Momal Sharif, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, with a specialized focus on Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. Her research integrates molecular and epigenetic mechanisms underlying female fertility, oocyte quality, and early embryonic development.

Education:

• BS, COMSATS University, Islamabad (2012)
• MS, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2015)
• PhD, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2019)

Her research interests lie at the intersection of reproductive genetics and epigenetics, particularly in maternal-effect genes such as Nlrp2, genomic imprinting, DNA methylation dynamics in oocytes, zygotic genome activation, and sperm-oviduct interactions. She investigates how maternal factors influence preimplantation embryo development and placental lineage specification using mouse models and human stem cell systems. Her work has significant implications for understanding unexplained infertility and improving assisted reproductive technologies.

Dr. Sharif's recent publications (2017–2025) highlight a consistent focus on epigenetic regulation in reproduction, with key contributions on Nlrp2, KDM1B, nuclear transport via karyopherins, and trophoblast differentiation. These studies reveal how maternal molecular machinery shapes embryo viability and developmental competence.

Scientific Awards:

• T32 Postdoctoral Fellow, NIH
• Postdoctoral Fellowship, Lalor Foundation
• Dean’s Award of Excellence, Baylor College of Medicine
• Academic Excellence Award, University of Illinois
• Faculty Development Fellowship, COMSATS University

She has been supported by competitive fellowships and conducts research within a strong collaborative environment. Dr. Sharif mentors trainees and contributes to advancing reproductive science through her lab's investigations into oocyte and embryo biology. She is an active member of professional societies including the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG), Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), International Society for Prenatal Diagnosis (ISPD), and the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).