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Dr Khondoker M. Akram is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Sheffield and Principal Investigator of the HEAPO study, an international research programme investigating how heat exposure affects pregnancy outcomes. He is a Deputy Module Lead of the MSc course in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, where he teaches on Fetal development, Pregnancy and Parturition.

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His research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms linking maternal heat exposure with preterm birth and low birth weight, with studies spanning both UK and Nigerian populations. Through his work, he aims to uncover the biological pathways through which environmental heat stress can influence placental function and fetal development, ultimately contributing to strategies that protect maternal and newborn health in a changing climate.

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Dr Akram completed his MBBS and MSc in Molecular Medicine before undertaking a PhD in Regenerative Medicine at Keele University. He subsequently conducted postdoctoral research at Imperial College London and the University of Leicester, where his work encompassed organ development, tissue regeneration, fibrosis, and innate immunity.

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Over the past five years, Dr Akram has focused his research on the human placenta, seeking to unravel the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying preterm birth. His multidisciplinary background, spanning molecular medicine, regenerative biology, immunology, and placental research, enables him to approach complex maternal and fetal health challenges from both fundamental and translational perspectives.

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Through the HEAPO study and his broader research programme, Dr Akram is committed to advancing understanding of environmental determinants of pregnancy outcomes and generating evidence that can inform clinical practice, public health policy, and interventions to improve pregnancy and neonatal health.