GOVERNANCE GROUP
The Governance Group of Kashmir Care Foundation provides strategic direction, oversight, and accountability for the Foundation’s mission. The group ensures ethical governance, sound decision-making, and transparent operations. It establishes policies, monitors performance, and safeguards resources to uphold the Foundation’s values and long-term sustainability. Through regular review and guidance, the Governance Group supports effective leadership and ensures that all initiatives align with the Foundation’s goals and the needs of the communities it serves.
Altaf Lal
Altaf Lal (PhD), is the President of Global Health and Pharmaceuticals Consulting Inc., a firm offering consulting and advisory services to both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations in the fields of health sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, product development, regulations, and disease control and elimination. He graduated with honors from Kashmir University, earned a postgraduate degree in Biochemistry from Lucknow University, India, and obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Kanpur University, with research conducted at the Central Drug Research Institute in Lucknow.
Dr. Lal serves on the boards of the Foundation for Disease Elimination and Control of India (FDEC) and Sun Pharma Healthcare Society (SPHS), India. He has also held board positions with the Roll Back Malaria Partnership to End Malaria (RBM) in Geneva, the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance (APLMA) in Singapore, Chinar International, and the Centre for Kashmir in the USA.
In addition, Dr. Lal is a Senior Advisor for Global Health and Innovation at Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Limited, India. He previously served as the US Health Attaché and Regional Representative for South Asia at the US Embassy in New Delhi. Dr. Lal was the founding CEO of Hilleman Laboratories, a company focused on developing low-cost, heat-stable vaccines for use in developing countries. He also held the role of Director of the FDA India Office, where he developed policies and strategies for inspecting pharmaceutical products imported into the US.
Dr. Lal has published over 260 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is the founder and president of the Kashmir Care Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the USA.
Dr. Altaf Lal
Kashmir Care Foundation
Atlanta, USA
Mahrukh Banday
Mahrukh (Mahi) Banday, (DVM, PhD), is a scientist-turned-business strategist with over a decade of experience driving growth for both startups and established companies. Renowned for her ability to build high-performing, collaborative teams, she creates environments where individuals are empowered and motivated to exceed expectations—an essential foundation for sustainable success.
Dr. Mahi's expertise spans a wide range of business functions, including sales, customer experience, marketing, product management, strategic planning, budgeting, finance, operations, and R&D. She holds a DVM from Kerala Veterinary University, a Master’s in Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology from PAU, and a Ph.D. in Molecular Genetics from Rutgers University, NJ. Her strong academic background forms the basis for her strategic insight and forward-thinking approach.
Throughout her career, Dr. Mahi has led multimillion-dollar product portfolios, guided companies through IPOs, and earned global recognition for her excellence in marketing. Currently, as EVP/GM of Product Marketing & Operations, she is dedicated to unifying complex global organizations by breaking down silos and promoting integrated collaboration. Her previous executive roles, including Vice President of Marketing, Product & Operations, and Senior Director of Product Management and Marketing, highlight her broad expertise and strategic leadership.
Dr. Mahrukh Banday
X-Therma Inc.
California, USA
Aamir Nazir
Aamir Nazir (PhD) is a Senior Principal Scientist and Professor in the Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine at CSIR – Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow. He completed his early education in Kashmir at MET, Pulwama, and Sainik School Nagrota, Jammu, followed by a BSc from the University of Kashmir and a postgraduate degree in Toxicology from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi.
Dr. Nazir earned his PhD from the CSIR Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, and subsequently pursued postdoctoral training at the Medical College of Georgia, USA, where he investigated the mechanisms of anesthetic action using the genetic model system C. elegans. At CDRI, his team discovered a novel circular RNA molecule, circ-Zip-2, in C. elegans, which is linked to the development of Parkinson’s disease. His group has also identified and functionally characterized novel peptide conjugates and a new Insulin Degrading Enzyme, termed "ce-IDE-1" in C. elegans, which has potential implications for neurodegenerative diseases.
Dr. Nazir has been honored with the prestigious "Raman Research Fellowship" from CSIR, Government of India, and the "India Distinguished Visiting Fellowship" from the University of Nottingham, UK.
Dr. Aamir Nazir
CSIR-CDRI
Lucknow, India
Dr. Mir Zahoor Gul
Dr. Mir Zahoor Gul hails from Anantnag, the picturesque "City of Springs" in Jammu and Kashmir. He pursued his early education in Anantnag and went on to complete his Master’s degree at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar. Driven by a deep interest in the Life Sciences, he earned his Ph.D. from the School of Life Sciences at the University of Hyderabad.
Following his doctoral studies, Dr. Gul undertook prestigious post-doctoral fellowships at Osmania University, supported by both UGC and CSIR. His research focuses on biopolymer-based nanocomposites and their multifaceted applications, contributing meaningfully to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
Alongside his academic and research pursuits, Dr. Gul is deeply committed to societal development. Dr. Gul has been actively involved in community development through volunteering with outreach and mentorship initiatives. He actively engages in mentorship and outreach initiatives, guiding students in their academic journeys and career choices. His passion for nurturing talent and creating impact beyond laboratories has become a defining aspect of his professional identity.
At Kashmir Care Foundation (KCF), Dr. Gul serves as Chair of the Communications and is an integral member of the Core Working Group. His role involves shaping communication strategies, supporting governance processes, and nurturing the next generation of change makers.
Beyond his professional and voluntary commitments, Dr. Gul enjoys digital graphic designing, soft music, and cricket. He cherishes spending time with children and values the joy and inspiration that comes from engaging with young minds.
Dr. Mir Zahoor Gul
Osmania University
Hyderabad, India
Tanzila Mukhtar
Tanzila Mukhtar (PhD) is a Postdoctoral Scientist at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), USA. She received her early education in Srinagar, Kashmir, at Tyndale Biscoe and Mallinson School, followed by high school in Delhi-NCR. Trained as an experimental neurobiologist, Dr. Tanzila earned her Ph.D. in Developmental Neurobiology from Switzerland and her Master’s in Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine from the UK. Her research focuses on the signaling and transcriptional networks that regulate neural stem cells, govern cortical layering, and determine neural cell fate.
In 2019, Dr. Tanzila was awarded the Swiss National Science Foundation Early Postdoc Fellowship. She has also been recognized as a Swiss Government Excellence Scholar (2013-2016), HSBC-Chevening Scholar (2010-2011), Goldman Sachs Global Leader (2009), and a TEDx Speaker (2020).