Curriculum vitae

Education and licensing

Research funding

Peer-reviewed publications

1. Gadani S, Chou E, Chansangrat J, Salar H, Kapoor B. Advances in interventional oncology for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancers. 2026;18(20):3319. doi:10.3390/cancers18203319
2. Waqar U, Rupji M, Salar M, Salar H, Devin CL, Olson TJP, Liu Y, Sullivan P, Rosen SA. Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival in early-onset stage II–III mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon: a propensity-based analysis. Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2026;134(5):720–729. doi:10.1002/jso.70344
3. Salar H, Anns KM, Salar M, Khan F, Aman M, Zafar U, Ahmad I, Basharat S, Murad R, Salar K, Anwar SSM. From gut to gray matter: a case report of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a pediatric patient with celiac disease. Clinical Case Reports. 2025;13(3):e70260. doi:10.1002/ccr3.70260
4. Salar M*, Salar H*, Ali SMF, Qureshi A, Jamil MA, Waseem S, Jehanzeb H, Mahmud O, Saleem A, Waqar MA. Glucocorticoids for pain flare prophylaxis after palliative radiotherapy for bone metastases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care. Published online 1 October 2025. doi:10.1136/spcare-2025-005680 (joint first authors)
5. Ahmed S, Waqar U, Salar H, Salar M, Irshad HA, Khan MMM, Shields MC, Olson TJP, Rosen SA. Association between objective performance indicators and patient outcomes in robotic surgery: a systematic review. Journal of Robotic Surgery. 2025;20(1):65. doi:10.1007/s11701-025-03031-8
6. Anns KM, Salar M, Salar H, Khan F, Memon WA, Aman M, Zafar U, Minhas K, Zafar H, Shahid J. Duodenal stricture secondary to IgG4-related chronic sclerosing duodenitis: a case report with review of the literature. Clinical Case Reports. 2024;12(6):e8980. doi:10.1002/ccr3.8980
7. Martins RS, Salar H, Salar M, Luo J, Poulikidis K, Razi SS, Latif MJ, Tafuri K, Bhora FY. Making minimally invasive procedures more sustainable: a systematic review comparing the environmental footprint of single-use versus multi-use instruments. World Journal of Surgery. 2024;48(9):2212–2223. doi:10.1002/wjs.12286

As a group collaborator

8. Waqar U, Ahmed S, Fatimi AS, et al.; PakSurg Collaborative. Epidemiology and risk factors of surgical site infections in elective surgeries in Pakistan (2022–2023): a multicentre, prospective cohort study from PakSurg 1. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia. 2026;50:100786. doi:10.1016/j.lansea.2026.100786 Role: Collaborator and steering committee member.
9. Martins RS, Ahmed W, Mahar MU, et al.; Global Eco-Health Collaborative. Beyond the operating room: surgeons’ perceptions of the environmental footprint of the healthcare sector. British Journal of Surgery. 2025;112(5):znaf088. doi:10.1093/bjs/znaf088 Role: Collaborator.

Accepted

1. Rehman B, Sagri N, Salar H, Rao O, Salar M, Kirmani S, Arif M. A novel PPP1R12A (c.2530C>T) variant associated with 46,XY atypical genital development: a case report. JCEM Case Reports (accepted).

Preprints

1. Hussain AS, Yousuf HMA, Salar M, Salar H, Munir R, Schmölzer G, Hoodbhoy Z, Rizvi A, Khan U, Zakai F. Automated versus manual oxygen control in preterm infants on respiratory support: a randomised crossover trial. Research Square. Posted 3 September 2026. doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-10655696/v1

Manuscripts under review

1. Salar M*, Salar H*, Ahmad R*, Rehman A, Waqar MS. Prevalence of diabetic retinopathy among patients with diabetes mellitus in Pakistan: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
2. Salar H, Salar M, Qureshi A, Bin Faisal A, Fatimi A, Sidhwa A, Asim Z, Mahmud O. Outcomes of same-day discharge after colectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
3. Salar H, Salar M, Agrawalla A, Khan MA, Fatimi AS, Mahmud O. Multidisciplinary simulation in surgical education: a systematic review.
4. Sohail SH*, Salar M*, Salar H*, Madni V, Ahmed A, Khan S, Haroon F, Ahmed F, Kamal AK. Simulation-based training for mechanical thrombectomy: a systematic review of educational quality and skill acquisition.
5. Salar H, Salar M, Zafar B, Ameen A, Mallick MZU, Zafar U, Iqbal J, Azeemuddin M, ul Haq T, Fazal K. Transhepatic embolization of a high-flow variceal pouch in a spontaneous ovarian–ileocolic–IVC shunt: a rare cause of hemorrhagic shock in decompensated cirrhosis.
6. Raja MHR, Kim JY, Khan NS, Manji AAA, Khan SD, Nasim Z, Salar M, Salar H, Aziz K, Hogg HDJ, Hassan A, Balu S, Hoodbhoy Z, Sendak M, Samad Z. Understanding artificial intelligence adoption in Pakistani healthcare: a qualitative analysis of stakeholder perspectives.
7. Umer A, Salar M, Salar H, Muzammil M, Arshad A. Associations between antimicrobial drugs and hospitalization outcomes in sepsis-coded patients at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan: a cohort study.
8. Lone MD, Haroon F, Durrani A, Salar M, Salar H, Silat HA. Efficacy and safety of Kv7 (KCNQ) channel openers in depressive disorders: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis.
9. Shamim F, Slote MU, Shafiq F, Kukreja B, Salar M, Salar H. Effect of intravenous lidocaine on immediate post-operative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial.
10. Fazal ZZ, Kumari S, Fatima SK, Salar M, Salar H, Usmani BA, Rani M. Marks behind the mask: nationwide insights on new-onset facial dermatoses in university students observed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
11. Salar M, Salar H, Martins RS. Who performs your peer review at a leading surgical journal?.
12. Afridi SB, Hussain AS, Salar M, Salar H, Shamim N, Zaheer H, Hoodbhoy Z, Rizvi A, Quraishi Z. Turning screens into scanners: validation of Picterus Jaundice Pro, a smartphone tool for bilirubin estimation in newborns.
13. Khan MM, Waqar MS, Rizvi SSA, Salar H, Salar M, Ajwad MN, Fatimi AS, Khan S. Updated comparison of Karydakis and Limberg flap procedures in pilonidal sinus surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
14. Salar M, Salar H, Anns KM, Khan F, Aman M, Memon WA, Khan P, Ashraf N, Siddiqui NR, Abbas Q. Pneumorrhachis associated with pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, and surgical emphysema in a child after posterior fossa tumor resection: a case report.
15. Martins RS, Akhund R, Saqib S, Khan FA, Salar H, Salar M, Evans L, Corey BL. Sex-based disparities in the research productivity of final year general surgery residents across the United States.
16. Faruqui N, Kashif U, Abdullah K, Aurakzai A, Asim Z, Qureshi A, Naveed HK, Malik A, Baloch N, Salar M, Salar H, Chughtai NG. Efficacy and safety of sacral neuromodulation for neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: a systematic review and prevalence meta-analysis.
17. Salar M, Abdullah K, Salar H, Kashif A, Javaid D, Qureshi A, Jaskani H, Jahangir A, Nasser H, Khokhar A, Qayum A, Inam A. Knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding dietary patterns and perceived barriers to a balanced diet among healthcare shift workers at a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan: a cross-sectional study.
18. Mahalleh M, Moradi K, Salar H, Mohajer B, Brett A, Roemer F, Guermazi A, Demehri S. Statin use and longitudinal changes in knee MRI-derived three-dimensional bone shape: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Conference abstracts

1. Mahmud O, Fatimi AS, Daudi A, Adnan U, Salar H, Salar M, Tok NS, Scheepens J, Halm D, Morgan K, Kluger MD, Cohen N, Hewitt DB, Sacks GD, Wolfgang CL, Javed AA. Surgical and oncological outcomes after multivisceral resection for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AHPBA 2027 Annual Meeting, United States, 2027. Submitted.
2. Ahmed A, Rizvi SA, Khan H, Salar M, Fatimi AS, Salar H, Fatimi SH. Unequal voices: an analysis of global authorship trends in top cardiothoracic surgery journals. 21st Annual Academic Surgical Congress, Orlando, United States, February 2026.
3. Abdullah K, Salar H, Salar M, Qadri A, Yaqoub S. ANCA-negative crescentic transformation of primary membranous nephropathy. International Student Research Conference (ISRC) 2026, Karachi, Pakistan, 2026. Outstanding Poster Award.
4. Lone MD, Haroon F, Durrani A, Salar M, Salar H, Silat HA. Efficacy and safety of Kv7 (KCNQ) channel openers in depressive disorders: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis. International Student Research Conference (ISRC) 2026, Karachi, Pakistan, 2026. Outstanding Poster Award.
5. Shamim F, Slote MU, Shafiq F, Kukreja B, Salar M, Salar H. Effect of intravenous lidocaine on immediate post-operative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. 3rd International Student Research Conference (ISRC), Karachi, Pakistan, September 2025.
6. Sohail SH, Salar H, Salar M, Ahmed A, Madni V, Khan S, Kamal A. Simulation-based teaching in mechanical thrombectomy: a systematic review. 3rd International Student Research Conference (ISRC), Karachi, Pakistan, September 2025.
7. Fazal ZZ, Kumari S, Fatima SK, Salar M, Salar H, Usmani BA, Rani M. Marks behind the mask: nationwide insights on new-onset facial dermatoses in university students observed during the pandemic. International Congress of Dermatology 2025, Rome, Italy, June 2025.
8. Salar T, Salar M, Eisa M, Salar H, Hanafi A, Karki R. Differences in in-hospital outcomes of atrial fibrillation ablation in patients with and without coronary artery bypass grafting: an NIS (National Inpatient Sample) study. Heart Rhythm 2025, San Diego, United States, April 2025. Heart Rhythm. 2025;22(4):S495–S496.
9. Waqar U, Rupji M, Salar M, Salar H, Devin CL, Olson TJP, Liu Y, Sullivan P, Rosen SA. Impact of adjuvant chemotherapy on overall survival in early-onset stage II–III mucinous adenocarcinoma of the colon: a propensity-based analysis. Society of Surgical Oncology Annual Meeting, Tampa, United States, March 2025. Podium presentation.
10. Martins RS, Akhund R, Saqib S, Khan FA, Salar H, Salar M, Evans L, Corey BL. Sex-based disparities in the research productivity of final year general surgery residents across the United States. 20th Annual Academic Surgical Congress, Las Vegas, United States, February 2025.
11. Salar M, Salar H, Umer M, Khwaja AH, Sirang Z. Comparative efficacy and safety of manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) versus phacoemulsification: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Khyber EYECON 2025, Peshawar, Pakistan, February 2025.
12. Shamim F, Slote MU, Shafiq F, Kukreja B, Salar M, Salar H. Effect of intravenous lidocaine on immediate post-operative pain, nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. AKU Annual Surgical Conference 2025, Karachi, Pakistan, 2025.
13. Salar H, Salar M, Qureshi A, Bin Faisal A, Fatimi A, Sidhwa A, Asim Z, Mahmud O. Outcomes of same day discharge after colectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. AKU Annual Surgical Conference 2025, Karachi, Pakistan, 2025.
14. Anns KM, Salar M, Salar H, Khan F, Memon WA, Aman M, Zafar U, Minhas K, Zafar H, Shahid J. Duodenal stricture secondary to IgG4-related chronic sclerosing duodenitis: a case report with review of the literature. Liaquat National Hospital Symposium 2025, Karachi, Pakistan, 2025.
15. Salar H, Anns KM, Salar M, Khan F, Aman M, Zafar U, Ahmad I, Basharat S, Murad R, Salar K, Maheen A, Shayan S. From gut to grey matter: a case report of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in a pediatric patient with celiac disease. Liaquat National Hospital Symposium 2025, Karachi, Pakistan, 2025.
16. Sohail SH, Salar H, Salar M, Ahmed A, Madni V, Khan S, Kamal A. Simulation-based teaching in mechanical thrombectomy: a systematic review. SIMPACT 2025, Karachi, Pakistan, 2025.
17. Martins RS, Salar H, Salar M, Luo J, Latif MJ, Poulikidis KP, Razi SS, Bhora F. Eco-friendly minimally-invasive procedures: are multi-use instruments truly better for the environment?. American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress 2024, San Francisco, United States, October 2024. J Am Coll Surg. 2024;239(5 Suppl):S226–S227.
18. Nisar M, Iqbal A, Anns KM, Salar H, Salar M, Khan YB. Comparative outcomes of semi-continuous and interrupted suturing techniques in mitral valve replacement for rheumatic heart disease: a retrospective cohort analysis. PULSE 2024, Karachi, Pakistan, January 2024.
19. Khan YB, Faisal M, Iqbal A, Anns KM, Salar M, Salar H, Nasir A. One-year outcomes of St. Jude Medical (SJM) mechanical valve replacement: mortality and morbidity analysis in a resource-constrained cardiac centre. PULSE 2024, Karachi, Pakistan, January 2024.
20. Salar M, Salar H, Ali SF, Qureshi A, Jehanzaib H, Jamil MA, Mahmud O. Effectiveness of prophylactic glucocorticoids for pain flare prophylaxis in patients with bone metastases undergoing radiotherapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 2nd International Student Research Conference (ISRC), Karachi, Pakistan, 2024. Poster of Distinction.

Invited talks and panels

1. The synergy equation: building effective research teams. 3rd International Student Research Conference (ISRC), 2025 (panellist).
2. The AI copilot: a partner in research. National Health Science Research Symposium, 2025 (invited speaker).

Ongoing projects

1. Evaluating the impact of the National Science Bowl Pakistan (NSB-P) programme on high school students’ STEM engagement, performance and career aspirations: a randomised controlled trial. Randomised controlled trial, randomised at school level. Role: First author and research team member.
2. Non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation versus nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation as primary respiratory support in preterm neonates with respiratory distress syndrome: a non-inferiority randomised controlled trial. Non-inferiority randomised controlled trial in preterm neonates. Role: Co-author.
3. Effectiveness of non-invasive high-frequency oscillatory ventilation versus nasal intermittent mandatory ventilation as post-extubation respiratory support in neonates born at ≥26 weeks’ gestation: a randomised clinical trial (NOV-A). Randomised clinical trial in neonates born at 26 weeks or later. Role: Co-author.
4. Effect of topical tranexamic acid vs. normal saline on post-operative bleeding in pediatric open-heart surgery: a double-blinded randomized controlled trial (TANS trial). Double-blind randomised controlled trial. Role: First author.
5. Automated assessment of vertebral bone mineral density, spinal sarcopenia and fracture risk from chest CT in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Multi-cohort imaging study using deep learning segmentation (NIH grant proposal in development). Role: Contributed to the research strategy and methods of the NIH proposal, and to the segmentation and machine learning work: 3D thoracic vertebral segmentation (T1 to T10) with modified TotalSegmentator and nnU-Net, HU calibration, volumetric BMD and paraspinal muscle features.
6. Development and evaluation of a structured conference abstract scoring tool for capacity development in peer review. Instrument development and psychometric evaluation (content validity, inter-rater and test–retest reliability). Role: Developed the abstract scoring criteria and led the validation study.
7. Nasopharyngeal transcriptomic profiling of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients reveals translational shutdown, mucosal immune suppression, and convergence on neurodegenerative pathway gene sets. Secondary analysis of public RNA-seq data (GSE152075). Role: First author.
8. Assessment of awareness, perceptions, and barriers to environmental sustainability analyses in healthcare randomized controlled trials: a global survey of corresponding authors. Global cross-sectional survey. Role: First author.
9. Retrospective validation of the PMCardio AI to estimate left ventricular ejection fraction from 12-lead ECG at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi. Retrospective diagnostic validation study. Role: Co-author.
10. Inequality, coded: a systematic review evaluating gender bias in large language models used in healthcare. Systematic review. Role: Second author.
11. Anticoagulation after atrial fibrillation ablation: an umbrella review with a source-verified randomized trial synthesis. Umbrella review with randomised trial synthesis. Role: Co-author.
12. Gender and geographic disparities in cardiothoracic surgery research arise at journal placement, not at citation. Bibliometric analysis. Role: Co-author.
13. Incidence of dry eye disease following manual small incision cataract surgery (MSICS), phacoemulsification, and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS): a systematic review and meta-analysis. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Role: Second author.
14. Emerging and established pharmacotherapies for steatohepatitis and hepatic fibrosis in MASLD: a clinical review. Clinical review. Role: Co-author.
15. Top 100 cited articles from The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (JBJS): a bibliometric analysis. Bibliometric analysis. Role: Co-author.
16. Non-linear association between healthcare expenditure and in-hospital mortality in sepsis: a retrospective cohort study from a Pakistani tertiary care center. Retrospective cohort study. Role: Co-author.
17. Patterns of antimicrobial utilization in sepsis-coded patients. Retrospective cohort study. Role: Co-author.
18. Knowledge, attitude, and practices towards the continuation of mask-wearing with respect to facial skin changes among university students of Pakistan: a cross-sectional study. Nationwide cross-sectional survey. Role: Co-author.
19. Does mask-induced facial dermopathy have an impact on the self-image of adolescents? A cross-sectional study. Cross-sectional survey. Role: Co-author.

Clinical electives and sub-internships

Research training

Multicentre collaboratives

Teaching

Peer review and academic service

Leadership

Hackathons

Awards

Programmes

Certifications

Methods and skills