Aga Khan University (AKU) announced that Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), and Dr. Jai K. Das, Assistant Director of IGHD and Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, have been included in Clarivate’s Highly Cited Researchers 2024 list. This prestigious recognition celebrates their exceptional contributions to health and development research, cementing their place among the top 0.1 percent of researchers worldwide.
Dr. Bhutta was honored in the Clinical Medicine category, while Dr. Das earned distinction in the Cross-Field category for his interdisciplinary work. Both have had a profound influence on global health research, with their publications ranking in the top 1% of citations by field and publication year. The list represents over 6,600 scientists whose groundbreaking research has had a lasting impact on their fields. Dr. Das continues to lead important studies in community trials, population surveys, and systematic reviews, with over 200 peer-reviewed publications to his name.
His work highlights the critical importance of interdisciplinary research in tackling global health issues. Meanwhile, Dr. Bhutta, a pioneer in maternal and child health, remains a global leader, advocating for policies and interventions that improve health outcomes, particularly in low-resource settings. Reflecting on this achievement, Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President of AKU, stated, “The recognition of Drs. Bhutta and Das speaks to their exceptional contributions to global health research, reinforcing AKU’s commitment to impactful, evidence-based research addressing pressing global health challenges.” Vice Provost Research Dr. Salim Virani also commended their inclusion, noting,
