Tehzeeb Zulfiqar

Dr. Tehzeeb Zulfiqar is a Research Fellow at the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University (ANU) and an Adjunct Associate Professor at the Health Services Academy in Pakistan. With over 30 years of experience in public health policy and research across Pakistan and Australia, she brings extensive expertise in epidemiology, program evaluation, and health systems strengthening. Her current work focuses on the evaluation of the Australian Pathogen Genomics Program (AusPathoGen) using realist theory, examining the utility and cost-effectiveness of genomic-based public health responses and capacity transformation with emphasis on end-user acceptability.

Dr. Zulfiqar's educational background includes:

• PhD in Public Health from the Australian National University
• Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Australian National University
• MPhil in Reproductive Physiology from Quaid-i-Azam University
• MSc in Community Nutrition from Allama Iqbal Open University
• MBBS from Army Medical College

Dr. Zulfiqar's research spans genomic epidemiology, immigrant health, and environmental health challenges. Her primary focus is on genomic surveillance systems and their implementation in public health practice, particularly through her leadership in evaluating Australia's national pathogen genomics program. She has conducted extensive studies on obesity patterns, health disparities, and cultural adaptation among immigrant populations in Australia, examining intergenerational differences in body image standards and dietary practices.

Her environmental health research has gained prominence following Australia's devastating bushfire seasons, where she investigated community perceptions of smoke exposure and the effectiveness of public health communication during environmental disasters. Her work demonstrates how housing conditions, individual risk perception, and public health advice interact during climate-related emergencies.

Dr. Zulfiqar's publication record shows a clear trajectory toward integrating advanced genomic technologies with practical public health applications while maintaining a strong commitment to health equity. Her recent work spans from technical evaluations of genomic surveillance systems to critical examinations of public health terminology and its impact on marginalized communities, particularly regarding the problematic use of terms like 'culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD).'

Dr. Zulfiqar has supervised multiple students including Hesham Al-Sharani, Russell Tolentino, and Alfi Fatima Yudani. She has been involved in numerous significant research projects, including the third-party evaluation of Pakistan's Lady Health Workers program conducted by Oxford Policy Management, UK, where she served as national lead. Her teaching experience includes Family Medicine, Public Health Nutrition, Life Style Medicine, and serving as a tutor at the ANU Medical School for 8 years.

Dr. Zulfiqar is actively involved in multiple research teams, most notably as a key researcher in the Australian Pathogen Genomics Program evaluation and the Timor-Leste One Health Bacteria Enteropathy and Nutrition (BEN) Study (2023-2027). Her interdisciplinary approach bridges epidemiology, social sciences, and public health practice to address complex health challenges both in Australia and internationally.