Dr. Javeria Aijaz Honored with ISBER 2026 Special Service Award for Global Biobanking Leadership

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) is proud to announce that Dr. Javeria Aijaz , Head of the Biorepository Unit at IHHN, has been honored with the 2026 ISBER Special Service Award by the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER).

The ISBER Special Service Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership, and service to ISBER and the global biobanking community. Through their volunteerism, professional contributions, and commitment to advancing biobanking sciences, award recipients have made a lasting impact on the field worldwide.

Dr. Javeria Aijaz received this prestigious recognition for her significant contributions to promoting biobanking practices, capacity building, and research collaboration in Pakistan and across the region. As an ISBER Regional Ambassador and a certified Qualification in Repository Science (QBRS) professional through an ISBER grant, she has actively contributed to ISBER presentations, roundtable discussions, and educational initiatives aimed at strengthening indigenous research and advancing biobanking standards.

Working within a resource-constrained setting, Dr. Aijaz has played a pioneering role in developing biobanking infrastructure in Pakistan. She established the country’s first pediatric acute leukemia biobank and currently oversees several important biological collections, including infectious disease repositories focused on drug-resistant organisms. Her efforts continue to support ethically driven, high-quality research that addresses locally relevant health challenges.

Under her leadership, IHHN’s Biorepository Unit is expanding toward a dedicated state-of-the-art biobanking facility featuring advanced liquid nitrogen storage systems, automation technologies, and a customized biobanking information platform. The unit is also progressing toward Biorepository Accreditation Program (BAP) accreditation, further strengthening Pakistan’s research ecosystem and promoting international best practices.

In a note accompanying the award, the ISBER President acknowledged Dr. Aijaz’s outstanding efforts in advancing sustainable biobanking initiatives in low-resource settings and highlighted her role in establishing Pakistan’s first pediatric acute leukemia biobank using ISBER-aligned best practices. Her work continues to contribute to ISBER’s mission of improving global biobanking quality, equity, and standards.

This recognition reflects both Dr. Aijaz’s dedication and IHHN’s ongoing commitment to advancing research, innovation, and healthcare excellence. The achievement also underscores Pakistan’s growing contribution to the global scientific and biobanking community.

IHHN congratulates Dr. Javeria Aijaz on this well-deserved international recognition and celebrates her continued efforts to strengthen research infrastructure and improve health outcomes through scientific excellence