Editorial Board

NJNS Website details of Editorial Board

 

Professor Dr. Touqeer Ahmed

Dean & Principal

ASAB, NUST

principal-asab@nust.edu.pk 

+92-51-9085-6101

 

Professor Dr. Touqeer Ahmed is the Principal and Dean of the Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences (ASAB) at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. He holds a Ph.D. in Health Sciences from Aga Khan University and completed his postdoctoral research at the Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Dr. Ahmed’s research focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying memory impairment and neurodegeneration, with particular emphasis on neurotoxicology, synaptic plasticity, and behavioral neuroscience. He has published extensively in leading international journals and has received multiple research productivity awards for his contributions to the field. At ASAB, he plays a pivotal role in advancing interdisciplinary biosciences education and research, mentoring postgraduate students, and fostering innovation in healthcare biotechnology. In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Ahmed serves as Editor-in-Chief of the NUST Journal of Natural Sciences (NJNS), promoting high-impact scientific scholarship.

Dr. Alvina Gul

Professor (Biotechnology)

ASAB, NUST

alvina_gul@asab.nust.edu.pk

+5190856134

​Dr. Alvina Gul is a Tenured Associate Professor at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. She previously worked for Cornell University in New York, USA; the USDA Genotyping and Sequencing Laboratory at Kansas State University; and the Plant Breeding Institute at the University of Sydney, Australia. The primary focus of her research career has been on integrating new allelic variation for improved wheat crop production and yield maximization to enhance food security. Dr. Gul has published more than 80 peer-reviewed publications and 140 book chapters, as well as 2 books with Elsevier.

 

International Editorial Board

Dr. Jindong Liu

Assistant Professor (Crop Science)

Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China

+8601082108889

liujindong@caas.cn

Dr. Liu Jindong is an Associate Professor (Research) at Institute of Crop Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. He is the member of the National Natural Science Foundation of China's expert review panel and a part of wheat quality research and new variety breeding team at the Crop Genetics and Breeding Center of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. His focus is on molecular marker-assisted breeding of wheat and genetic mechanism analysis of complex agronomic traits.

Dr. Georgia Ouzounidou

Research Director

Institute of Technology of Agricultural Products

geouz@yahoo.gr

 

Dr. Georgia Ouzounidou did her PhD in Biology from the Department of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her scientific background is on Environmental Plant Biology and Physiology and Post-harvest Physiology of Fruits and Vegetables. Her Postgraduate training is done at the Plant Physiology Laboratory of the University of Brussels (ULB) in the Department of Biochemistry and Plant Physiology at the Rothamsted Experimental Station, Great Britain, at the Institute of Cereals, Szeged, Hungary, in the Experimental Plant Experiment Station at Aula DEI, Zaragosa, Spain, and in Plant Cytophysiology and Phycology Laboratory at the University of Lille, France.

She has authored a significant number of publications in SCI journals (> 130 papers, > 3000 citations, h-index = 28, in Scopus) and 4 textbooks. She is also an Editor in “Agronomy”, “Plants” and “Molecules” (MDPI), in “Frontiers in Plant Science” journal and Associate Editor, Journal of Agricultural, Food Science and Biotechnology, and Journal of Innovation Economics and Management, DeBoeck Superieur.

Professor Dr. M. Latif

Emeritus Professor (Plant Systematics)

Universiti kebangsaan Malaysia,

Pakteh48@yahoo.com

Dr. M. Latif is Emeritus Professor at Department of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. He did his Ph.D. from University of Reading, England with the specialization in Plant Systematics.

Prof. Dr. Salih Gucel

Founding Director (Plant Ecology)

Environmental Research Center, Near East University, Cyprus

sgucel@hotmail.com

Professor Dr. Salih Gucel is a biologist with the specialization in Botany and Plant Ecology. He graduated from Age University, Izmir and is the founding director and works at the Environmental Research center at Near East University. He has been involved in ecological research, conservation and awareness raising for more than twenty-five years. He is the author of over 100 papers on ecological studies of both medicinal and general plants and on biomonitoring on different habitats.

Professor Dr. Feranda Maria Policarpo Tonelli

Professor (Biotechnology/Molecular Biology)

Federal University of Sao Joao del Rei, Divinopolis, MG, Brazil

tonellibioquimica@gmail.com

Dr. Feranda Maria Policarpo Tonelli has specialized in Biochemistry and Immunology, she is currently serving as Associate Professor at Federal University of Sao Joao del Rei, Divinopolis, MG, Brazil. She has published more than 14 articles with cumulative impact factor of 70.56 and has published more than 23 books chapters and more than 50 texts published dedicated to Science and Technology popularization in websites, magazines and newspapers.

 

 

Prof. Dr. Hikmet Budak

Professor (MultiOmics)

Arizona Western College, USA

(406)5952420

Hikmet.budak@icloud.com

 

Prof Dr. Hikmet Budak’s work encompasses a wide range of disciplines, accumulating 22 years of experience across academia and industry worldwide. Throughout his career, his focus has been placed on developing, understanding and application of MultiOmics and the CRISPR editing tools for model and modern plant systems.

National Editorial Board

Dr. Awais Rasheed

Assistant Professor

Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad

arasheed@qau.edu.pk

+923007316713

Dr. Awais Rasheed is working as Assistant Professor at Quaid-I-Azam University, Pakistan, and Adjunct Scientist at CIMMYT-China office. His research areas include wheat molecular breeding, especially developing new genotyping platforms with strong application in wheat breeding. He has been the recipient of 2013 Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship from Bioversity International, and 2015 recipient of Excellent Young Scientist from CAAS. He has successfully developed several high-throughput genotyping platforms like KASP assays, SNP chips and genotyping-by-targeted sequencing platforms for use in wheat breeding research. The KASP markers he developed are currently used in more than 30 countries in wheat molecular breeding research. He has published more than 85 SCI papers in international journals including Nature Plants, Molecular Plants and Trends in Plant Sciences. He is serving as editorial board of more than five research journals. He has also received Zhuang Qiaosheng International Collaboration Award (2023) from China for his collaborative molecular breeding work between China and Pakistan.

 

Dr. Hadi Bux

Associate Professor (Plant Pathology)

University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.

hadiqau@gmail.com

+923015253212

Dr. Hadi Bux is currently serving as an Associate Professor in University of Sindh Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. He completed his Ph.D. in 2011 from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad and did his post-doctoral studies in 2017 from Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China. His Teaching/Research experience is of more than 17 years. His Research interests include Plant Sciences, Plant Pathology, Mycology, Crop Sciences, Molecular Genetics and Stress Physiology.

 

 

 

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Jamil

Professor (Environmental Biotechnology)

Kohat University of Science and Technology (KUST)

+923005286949

dr.jamil@kust.edu.pk

Prof. Dr.  Muhammad Jamil is currently serving as a Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST).  He is a graduate of the PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi and obtained a Ph.D. degree from Sunchon National University, South Korea in the field of Plant Genetics. He has post-doctoral experience from Korea and China in the field of Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology. He has made tremendous research contributions to the field of Plant Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, resulting in more than 125 articles in various national and internationally reputed peer-reviewed journals. He has been awarded Gold Medal in Biotechnology by Pakistan Academy of Sciences in 2022 and University Best Teacher Award by Higher Education Commission in 2014. He has supervised more than 60 MS and 9 Ph.D. students and is currently active in supervising many graduate students at KUST.

Dr. Sami Ullah Khan

Associate Professor (Crop Allelopathy)

University of Haripur, Haripur

samiullah@uoh.edu.pk

+92300514430

Dr. Sami Ullah Khan is an Associate Professor of Agronomy at University of Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. He has 21 years of experience in teaching and research and published over 60 research articles in refereed research journals. He has produced 20 M.Sc (Hons) and 04 Ph.D. students. His major areas of research are abiotic stress management in selected crops using bio-stimulants ad crop management practices, evaluation of wheat germplasm for low Phosphorous input, development of climate resilient agricultural practices, efficient crop nutrient management for high yield using smart sensors and promotion of new fodder crops for quality fodder production in Pakistan.

Managing Editors

Professor Dr. Muhammad Tahir

Professor (Plant Virology)

ASAB, NUST

gullsbs@outlook.com

+5190856131

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Tahir is currently serving as Tenured Professor at ASAB, NUST in Plant Virology. He completed his Ph.D. in May 2009 from the University of the Punjab and did his post-doctoral studies in USA.

His research interests include both basic and applied problems in plant virology and plant virus diagnosis. The main research interest is in tropical plant viruses, plant-virus-vector interactions, and specifically the identification and validation of resistance genes by knockdown experiments. In addition, his focus is on begomo viruses, Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV), Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) diversity, multiple transgenic resistance(s) in significant cash crops and development of antibodies against them.

 

Citation Enhancement Specialist Member

Dr. Maria Shabbir

Associate Professor (Cancer Genetics

ASAB, NUST

mshabbir@asab.nust.edu.pk

+5190856137

Dr. Maria Shabbir is currently serving as a Tenured Associate Professor at ASAB, NUST. She completed her Ph.D. in March, 2015 from Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad with the specialization in Cancer Genetics. She is dedicated to advancing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment through innovative research. Her current focus centers on unraveling the role of the PRKC gene in the development of breast cancer. This involves identifying potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets linked to PRKC as well as dissecting its interplay with various biological pathways, to pave the way for novel and effective medical interventions.

Social media and Outreach Specialist Member

Dr. Sobia Asghar

Assistant Professor (Natural Resources Management)

ASAB, NUST

Sobia.asghar64@gmail.com 

+9251908561

Dr. Sobia Asghar is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at ASAB, NUST. She completed her Ph.D. in August, 2018 from Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand and specialized in Natural Resources Management. Her research interests are Agricultural and Resources Economics, Agricultural Value-Chains, Environmental Governance and Production Economics.

 

Journal indexation Laison Member

Dr. Rabia Amir

Associate Professor (Plant Cell & Molecular Biology)

ASAB, NUST

Rabia @asab.nust.edu.pk 

+519085612

Dr. Rabia Amir is currently serving as an Associate Professor at ASAB. She completed her Ph.D. in January 2014 from the University of Edinburgh. She specialized in Plant Cell & Molecular Biology. She is currently working on metabolic pathways and stress signaling in peanuts as well as characterization of metabolic pathways and pathway modelling. She is also performing additional academic duties of Director Local Quality Enhancement Cell. She has a long experience of molecular cloning techniques, molecular biology approaches and a range of plant tissue culture techniques.

Associate Editors

Dr. Aneela Javed

Associate Professor (Molecular Immunology)

ASAB, NUST

Javedaneela19@asab.nust.edu.pk 

0519085612

Dr. Aneela Javed is currently serving as Associate Professor at ASAB, NUST in Virology and Immunology. She did her Ph.D on May 2012 from Georg-August Universität Göttingen and Post doctorate from Harvard University, USA and DUKE-NUS, Singapore. Dr Aneela is the recipient of the renowned "Fulbright Research Fellowship 2017-18" for her post-doctoral research at Harvard Medical School, USA.  She is also "One-Health Pakistan Fellow" for the National Academy of Sciences and the first ASIA representative for ISOHA (international student one health association). Dr. Aneela has served as visiting Assistant Professor at DUKE-NUS (Singapore). She has established the One-Health Cell culture lab at NUST and introduced the One-Health stream in the Molecular Medicine Program. She is the founder of Pakistan's first One-Health student association PSOHA to promote One-Health activities among students. Dr Aneela was awarded "Best researcher" of the year twice for the year 2016 and 2019 as well as "Research Productivity Award 2017" for contribution to science. She is also a recipient of DAAD scholarship for the Research Stays for University Academics and Scientists, 2022. She has 63 Publications including 2 book chapters, in peer reviewed reputable international journals with total impact factor of 275.15. Five Ph.Ds and 21 MS students have graduated, while 5 Ph.Ds and 12 MS students are currently working in the group.  For her scientific contributions in the field, she was nominated for the most prestigious “National Civil Awards 2020”.

Prof. Dr. Sobia Manzoor

Professor (Viral Immunology)

ASAB, NUST

Dr.sobiamanzoor@asab.nust.edu.pk +92519085617

Prof. Dr. Sobia Manzoor is working as a Professor in Molecular Virology and Immunology at ASAB, NUST. She completed her Ph.D. in February 2011 from the University of Veterinary & Animal Science. Her research work is based on both basic and applied problems in molecular virology with particular emphasis on viral hepatitis (HCV). She has 62 publications (ISI Indexed), 48 research articles and 48 review articles.

Dr. Yasmeen Badshah

Assistant Professor (Viral Oncology)

ASAB, NUST

Yasmeenb_1982@yahoo.com +925190856145

Dr. Yasmeen Badshah is currently serving as an Assistant Professor at ASAB, NUST. She completed her PhD in December 2021 from the University of Punjab. She has expertise in Viral Oncology. The primary focus of her research career has been the pathogenesis of viral diseases and cancer. Her research focuses on investigating the underlying molecular mechanism(s) that govern the onset of viral-induced cancers. Her particular focus is on viral hepatitis (HBV & HCV), HPV, breast cancer and liver cancer. She has more than 33 publications.

Dr. Rumeza Hanif

Associate Professor (Breast Cancer Theragnostic & Genetics)

 ASAB, NUST

Rumeza.hanif@asab.nust.edu.pk+92519085615

Dr. Rumeza Hanif is serving as an Associate Professor at ASAB, NUST and has expertise in Cancer Biology/Biochemistry. She completed her Ph.D. in January 2012 from University College London, University of London with the specialization in Breast Cancer Theragnostic and Genetics. Her research interest include breast cancer diagnostics, resistance of breast cancer, cancer genetics, nano-particles as drug delivery vehicles and other applications of nanoparticles. She has more than 24 peer-reviewed publications.

 

 

Dr. Faheem Amin

Associate Professor (Physics)

SNS, NUST

Faheem.amin@sns.nust.edu.pk

+92 518865584

Dr. Faheem Amin is an Associate Professor at the Department of Physics, School of Natural Sciences, NUST. He works in Experimental Condensed Matter Physics. His major research interests are cancer treatment through nanoparticle-based nanocomposites and thermal energy storage through metal hydroxides. He has published several ISI Indexed journal publications and has expertise in optical and thermal properties of nanomaterials.

 Prof. Dr. Meraj Mustafa Hashmi

Professor (Mathematics)

SNS, NUST

Meraj.mustafa@sns.nust.edu.pk

+92 519085558

 

 

Prof. Dr. Meraj Mustafa Hashmi joined the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in the year 2010. He is presently working as Tenured Professor at School of Natural Sciences (SNS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad. Dr. Hashmi’s research interests include boundary layer flows, non-Newtonian fluid flows, nanofluid flows, heat transfer and approximate analytical solutions of non-linear boundary value problems. He has published more than 170 papers in the prestigious ISI indexed journals of the field. His areas of expertise are fluid dynamics and series/numerical solutions of nonlinear differential equations. His publications have received 9000 citations on Google Scholar and 7300 citations on Scopus. His H-index is 52 on Google Scholar and 47 on Scopus. He has been listed among the world's top 2% of scientists in a publication by Stanford University. He has been the recipient of the Research Productivity Award by PCST under Category A for the years 2014 and 2015. He was declared best researcher of NUST-School of Natural Sciences for the year 2015. He has established research collaborations with leading international research scientists, participated and delivered talks at various international conferences/forums and is an active reviewer of several international journals. He is heavily involved in human resource development and has successfully supervised 21 MS students and 03 PhD students in the field of Fluid Mechanics.

Prof. Dr. Mudassir Iqbal

Professor (Chemistry)

SNS, NUST

Madassir.iqbal@sns.nust.edu.pk

+92 5190855575

Prof. Dr. Mudassir Iqbal is working as a professor at the Department of Chemistry, School of Natural Sciences, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST). He secured his Ph.D. degree from University of Twente, The Netherlands in 2012 and completed one year post doc fellowship from University of Fribourg, Switzerland. He is working in a variety of areas like nuclear waste processing, ionic liquids, drugs, hydrogels/biopolymers, and functional nanomaterials for applications in Energy, Environment, Biomedical and Agriculture Sector. Prof. Mudassir has published around 130 Journal publications and several conference proceedings. He has a cumulative impact factor of over 500 and has been cited more than 3000 times. He has supervised 5 Ph.Ds and more than 40 MS students and 12 Ph.D. are currently under his supervision. He has also secured several grants in different research areas.