Aakash, Muhammad Kashif – Curriculum Vitae

PhD Candidate | Disability and Rehabilitation Research

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Research Summary

Researcher in disability and rehabilitation studies with expertise in qualitative and mixed-methods research. My work explores lived experiences of disability, health systems, and social inclusion through frameworks such as the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). I utilize diverse methodologies including in-depth interviews, survey research, and systematic reviews to examine disability and rehabilitation practice among health professionals and communities across international settings.

Education

Thesis Submission (09/2026), Thesis Defense Anticipated (11/2026)

PhD Candidate in National Interest in Public Administration and Innovation for Disability and Social Inclusion

Universita degli Studi della Campania, “Luigi Vanvitelli” Napoli, Italy

  • Focus: Disability and Rehabilitation Research
  • Activities: In a national doctorate, preforming research activities in Universita Politecnica delle Marche UNIVPM, Ancona, Italy
  • Coordinator: Prof. Francesca Gimigliano, Professor, Luigi Vanvitelli
  • Advisor: Prof. Maria Gabriella Ceravolo, Professor, UNIVPM
  • Co-Advisor: Prof. Marianna Capecci, Professor, UNIVPM
  • Dissertation: Integrating Evidence: Enhancing treatment outcomes in individuals with disabilities through systematic reviews of Randomized Controlled Trails (RCTs) and Big Data Analysis

09/2019 – 11/2021

MPhil (Master of Philosophy) in Public Policy

Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan

01/2015 – 04/2019

BSc (Hons) (Bachelor of Sciences with Honors) in Agriculture, Major: Rural Development

The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan

  • Grade: 3.30 (4.0)

Visiting Abroad Period

10/2024 – 03/2025

Observer (Visiting Research Scholar)

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye

  • Research Projects:
  • Navigating life with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study of lived experiences and resilience,
  • Exploring the role of digital and assistive Technologies in enhancing social inclusion for children with disabilities: A Systematic Review
  • Advisor: Prof. Resa Aydin, Professor, Istanbul University
  • Co-Advisor: Prof. Nalan Capan, Professor, Istanbul University

Research Interests

  • Lived experiences of disability and chronic illness
  • Family and caregiver experiences in health contexts
  • Rehabilitation and social participation using the ICF framework
  • Qualitative and mixed-methods health research
  • Health systems and disability inclusion

Research Experience

03/2022 — 12/2023

Independent Research Consultant, Centre for Policy Research Islamabad, Pakistan

01/2021 – 03/2022

Research Assistant, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan

Advisors:

  • Nadeem ul Haque, Vice Chancellor, PIDE
  • Nasir Iqbal, Associate Professor, PIDE
  • Zehra Gardezi, Assistant Professor, PIDE
  • Methods:
  • Contributed to multiple policy research projects involving survey design, field data collection, and quantitative data analysis using STATA. Projects covered topics including state-owned enterprises, SME development programs, urban mobility and traffic management, and public health insurance policy.
  • Conducted quantitative data analysis using STATA and supported qualitative data analysis. Designed field surveys and interview protocols, supervised field teams, and contributed to policy reports and briefs for national development projects funded by international organizations.

09/2020 – 02/2021

Teaching Assistant, School of Public Policy, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), Islamabad, Pakistan

  • Advisor: Nasir Iqbal, Associate Professor, PIDE
  • Course: Public Policy Analysis
  • Assisted in teaching undergraduate classes in public policy analysis.
  • Conducted tutorial sessions and facilitated discussions on selected course topics.
  • Supported assessment activities including grading assignments and examinations.
  • Provided academic support to students and coordinated course logistics with the instructor.

Research

  1. Aakash, M.K. et al. Living Beyond Functioning: A Qualitative Exploration of lived experiences, resilience, and participation in individuals with cerebral palsy.
    Under Review at Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology.
  2. Aakash, M.K. et al. Knowledge and use of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: A Cross-Sectional survey among health professionals in Pakistan.
    Under Review at Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences.
  • Integrating Evidence: Enhancing Treatment Outcomes in Individuals with Disabilities through Systematic Reviews of Randomized Controlled Trials and Big Data Analysis

  • Assessing global knowledge and application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) among health and rehabilitation professionals and policy makers

  • Knowledge and Use of ICF for health needs assessment and rehabilitation: The Case of Pakistan (Results published in a conference at SIMFER conference at Padua, and ISPRM25 at Marrakech, (under review in journal publication))
  • Living Beyond Limitations: A Qualitative Exploration of Lived Experience, Resilience, and Participation in Individuals with Cerebral Palsy (under review in journal publication)
  • Exploring the Role of Digital and Assistive Technologies in enhancing social inclusion for children with disabilities: A Systematic Review (manuscript writing)
  1. Attended a Winter School, LIFE Winter School on Health and Well-being at University of Lucerne, Switzerland from February 17 to 19, 2026.

1. Poster Presentation in 19th ISPRM World Congress from Nov 03-07, 2025, at Marrakech, Morocco.
Poster: Knowledge and use of ICF for health needs assessment and rehabilitation: The Case of Pakistan

2.Poster Presentation in Congress 52° Congresso Nazionale SIMFER “La scienza riabilitativa e l’impegno nel territorio per una nuova etica della riabilitazione”, ha valutato ed ha ACCETTATO from 6-9 October at Padua.
Poster: Knowledge and Use of ICF for Health needs assessment and rehabilitation: The Case of Pakistan

3. Poster Presentation in 2nd Annual General Conference by the School of Economics and Social Sciences on Development: Discourses and Critiques at Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, Pakistan (Mar 2022)
Poster: The Economic Cost of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): A Market Based Solution

4. Poster Presentation in 35th Annual General Meeting of the Pakistan Society for Development Economists (PSDE) at Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, Pakistan (Nov 2021)
Poster: The Economic Cost of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): A Market Based Solution

1.

March 04, 2026

Neuro-rehab Wednesday Seminar Series – Neurorehabilitation Clinic, Department of Neurological Sciences, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria delle Marche, Ancona, Italy

Presentation: Beyond Function: Everyday life and resilience among individuals with cerebral palsy: Evidence from Turkiye at Ancona, Italy on March 04, 2026

2.

April 17, 2025

Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University UNIVPM, Ancona, Italy

Presentation: Navigating Daily life of Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study of Lived Experience and Resilience (Preliminary findings)

3.

March 25, 2025

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkiye

Presentation: Navigating Daily life of Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study of Lived Experience and Resilience (Preliminary findings)

  • Conducted field-based research across multiple policy and development studies in Pakistan, including projects on urban mobility, informal economy, SME development, and public health interventions.
  • Designed and implemented surveys and semi-structured interviews, coordinated field teams, and supervised primary data collection.
  • Managed data cleaning and preparation using STATA, and contributed to analysis and reporting.
  • Participated in research projects implemented with organizations such as the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics and United States Agency for International Development.

Contributing Editor

PIDE Guide to Policy and Research (P&R) Magazine, Volume 3, Issue 1, theme Informal Economy of Pakistan.
Published by Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, (PIDE), Islamabad.
https://pide.org.pk/research/informal-economy-of-pakistan-policy-research-pr-vol-3-issue-1/

The Economic Cost of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): A Market Based Solution (Thesis Defense Date: November 19, 2021). Thesis submitted to School of Social Sciences, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

Supervisor: Prof. Nasir Iqbal, Associate Professor, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
Internal Examiner: Dr. Mahmood Khalid, Senior Research Economist, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.
External Examiner: Prof. Waheed Choudary, Associate Professor, Quaid -e- Azam University Islamabad.

1. Sehat Sahulat Program, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (2022), (unpublished research assistantship final report)

2. The Economic Cost of the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs): A Market Based Solution, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (2021), (unpublished MPhil thesis policy outcomes)

3. Out of School Children in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (2019), (unpublished course assignment)

1. State-Owned Enterprises

2. Sehat Sahulat Program

3. Traffic Management and Congestion Mitigation: Introduction of Paid Parking Policy in Islamabad

4. Multiplier effect of USAID Intervention in Small and Medium Enterprise Analysis using Input-Output Model

5. Revitalization of Street Economy in Pakistan: The Case Study of Islamabad

6. Impact of Price Change on behavior of Tobacco Consumption

7.  Speed Literacy Program-SLP

Opinions in Newspapers

Railways In Shambles: Here’s How To Fix It

Efficiency Analysis of Pakistan Railways: A Policy Brief

Skills

Technical Proficiencies:

  • Stata: Expertise in data cleaning, tabulation, visualization and advanced statistical analysis.
  • NVivo: Advanced skills in qualitative data analysis, including case creation, classification, thematic coding (parent and sub-codes), matrix coding, cross tabulation and data visualization.
  • Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in MS word, excel and PowerPoint.

Research and Data Expertise:

  • Strong background in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
  • Skilled in developing and designing questionnaires on Kobo Toolbox.
  • Experienced in primary data collection (surveys, interviews, fieldwork).

Report and Policy Writing:

  • Proven ability to draft policy brief, analytical report and research summaries for diverse audience.

Languages

English – Fluent

Pashto – Native

Urdu -Native

Italian – Basic (Learning)

Turkish –  Basic (Learning)

Lets Meet and Talk

Phone/Whatsapp

+39 344 6659 895

Email

dr.kashifaakash@gmail.com

Updated March 10, 2026