Salima Ikram is Distinguished University Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo, and has excavated extensively in Egypt as well as in Turkey. She has directed the Animal Mummy Project, the Amenmesse Project (KV10/KV63), the North Kharga Oasis Darb Ain Amur Project, and headed the archaeozoology team at Kinet Hoyuk in Turkey.

She has a variety of research interests, especially the interaction between humans and animals, ancient Egyptian foodways, rock art, death, and mummies of both humans and animals. She has published extensively both for scholarly and non-specialist audiences, as well as for children, and is currently collaborating on the publication of the animal mummies in the Museo Egizio, Turin. Ikram is a member of the MAHES (Momies Animales et Humaines EgyptienneS) project.