Prof. Sahar Saleem
Graduation Year: 1987
Specialty: Neuroradioloogy & Fetal Imaging /Radiodiagnosis
City & Country of Practice: Cairo-Egypt
Total Years of Professional Experience: 30 years
Brief Biography
Dr. Sahar Saleem is a Professor of Radiology at Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University. After earning her MD in 1998, she completed fellowship in Radiology Education (2004), fellowship in Neuroradiology (2005), and paleoradiology training (2004–2005) at the University of Western Ontario, Canada—a field she pioneered in applying advanced imaging to ancient mummified remains. She became Professor of Radiology in 2009, served as Head of the Neuroradiology Unit (2018–2020), and Head of the Radiology Department (2022–2023).
A specialist in advanced neuroimaging and pioneer in fetal MRI since 2002, her clinical work has guided prenatal decisions for hundreds of high-risk pregnancies. She is a devoted researcher, active author, and medical education expert by training and practice. As a pioneer trained paleoradiologist since 2004, Saleem pioneered field paleoradiology—examining mummies inside tombs and underground burial shafts using self-innovated tools—while also serving as a leading member of the Egyptian Mummy Project and collaborating with international museums, having X-rayed and CT scanned hundreds of mummies and ancient skeletons in Egypt, Italy, the USA, and the UK.
As a member of the Committee of Egyptian Museums’ Scenario and consultant for international museums, she has participated in designing Egyptian and worldwide museums that incorporate CT images into exhibitions. Bridging medicine, archaeology, and cultural heritage, she serves as a motivational speaker and public figure—appointed by Egypt’s Ministries of Culture, Foreign Affairs, and Higher Education for worldwide lecture tours—and has been featured in documentaries and global media
Key Professional Achievements
Pioneer in fetal MRI & advanced neuroimaging: Invented the first fetal cardiac MRI protocol (Cum Laude, Radiological Society of North America RSNA 2008) and discovered novel syndromes including PYCR2 neurodegeneration (Neuron, 2020) and diencephalic-mesencephalic junction dysplasia (Annals of Neurology, 2018). Her study on in-utero gene therapy reversing Joubert syndrome appeared in Nature Medicine (2012). Selected as a role model for women neuroradiologists in Egypt, featured in A World History of Neuroradiology (Springer, 2026). Presented 300+ scientific articles at world conferences.
Author and academia: Authored 65 peer-reviewed articles and 14 books/chapters. Her book Scanning the Pharaohs (AUC, 2016) won the PROSE 2017 Award for Best Popular Science Book (American Publishers) and the CHOICE 2016 Outstanding Academic Title (American Association of College and Research Libraries). Saleem is Faculty member of RSNA & (International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology (ISUOG), and a Committee Member of World Federation of Neuroradiological Societies (WFNRS).
Medical education expert: Author of two radiology education books (Springer, 2008, 2012). Founder and Director of the Egyptian School of Radiology (2012–2023), a non-profit affiliated with the Egyptian Society of Radiology, delivering 60+ training workshops.
Paleoradiology pioneer: CT scanned 40 royal mummies – revealing Tutankhamun’s health, the assassination of Ramesses III (JCAT, 2017), and Seqenenre’s battlefield death (Frontiers in Medicine, 2021). Invented the first CT protocol for ancient fetal mummies (Tutankhamun’s daughters, AJR, 2011). Digitally unwrapped mummified King Amenhotep I (Frontiers in Medicine, 2021) – selected as #1 World Archaeological Discovery (2022) by the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). As historian of ancient medicine, identified the oldest known heart attack (mummified Princess Meritamu, 3500 BC) and reconstructed faces of King Ramesses II and King Tutankhamun (JAS, 2023; DAACH, 2024).
Museums leadership: Serves as a member of the Committee for Egyptian Museums’ Scenario. Designed the Royal Mummies, Ancient Medicine, and Prehistoric Skeletons galleries at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) and at Cairo International Airport Museums. Consultant for mummy exhibitions at Barnum Museum (USA) and Maidstone Museum (UK). Co-author: NMEC catalogue (2021), British Museum’s Pharaoh (2024), National Gallery of Victoria’s An Eternal Life (Australia, 2024). Member of Kasr AlAiny Faculty of Medicine Museums Committee; X-rayed jars at the Museum of Forensic Medicine (2023) and led inventory/registration of ancient human remains at the Anatomy Department (2023-2026 and ongoing).
Public figure & motivational speaker: Delivered over 60 invited public lectures – appointed by Egypt’s Ministries of Culture, Foreign Affairs, and Higher Education for lecture tours (2018–2020) at Egyptian embassies worldwide (Washington, New York, Montreal, Ottawa, London, Berlin, New Delhi, Jakarta, Lima), and by direct invitation from international institutes and museums: the Smithsonian, University of Chicago, University College London, Imperial College, and University of Western Ontario. Featured regularly in global media (CNN, AP, The Guardian, The Times) and in 30+ international documentaries (Nat Geo, PBS, BBC, Japan TDK, French TV, Egypt’s Om El Donia) and podcasts (BBC, Nat Geo, El-Podcasters).
Presidential awards & global recognition: Egyptian Presidential Award – Iconic Successful Woman (2021); Pioneer Award – Arab Archaeologists League (2025); Summa Cum Laude (British Society of Neuroradiology 2022, American Society of Neuroradiology 2005); Cum Laude (RSNA 2008); Cairo University Incentive Award (2009); Kasr AlAiny Appreciation Award (2023); Cairo University Research and International Publication Awards (2007–2025).
Professor Dr. Sahar Saleem (March 2021) conducting advanced AI assisted CT imaging of an ancient Egyptian mummy, to uncover the royal identity, political intrigues of kings, and the hidden secrets of the pharaohs. Through non‑invasive imaging, this pioneering work bridges medicine, history, and archaeology, allowing unprecedented insight into royal lineage, causes of death, mummification practices, and life in ancient Egypt, demonstrating how diagnostic radiology can illuminate humanity’s earliest civilizations.
The mummy featured in the picture was confirmed to have royal origin, identified as Prince Pentawere, the son of Pharaoh Ramesses III.
Dr. Sahar Saleem was honored in 2021 by Egypt’s First Lady, Entissar El-Sisi, at the Egyptian Woman… Icon of Success event, celebrating distinguished contributions of Egyptian women
Advice for Current Medical Students
Kasr AlAiny provided exceptional education, clinical training, and influential mentors who shaped the diagnostic precision and innovation. The institution instilled academic excellence and leadership.
Embrace curiosity, think across disciplines, and never let limited resources limit your vision. Serve others whether in the classroom, hospital, or through your country's heritage and your impact will endure. The future belongs to bold, compassionate minds. Be one