Qualification:

• BS (Zoology), University of the Punjab. Lahore, Pakistan
• M.Phil (Virology and Immunology), Atta ur Rehman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology ( NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan
• Ph.D (Biological Sciences with specialization in Human Molecular Genetics),

Research Interests:

I am passionate to concentrate my future research on application of basic research to improve health and reduce burden of genetic disorders in Pakistani population. I have completed projects employing molecular biology and genetic techniques to achieve my research goals.

My PhD work was focused on molecular characterization of familial cases of neurological movement disorders from Pakistani families.  This work involved identification of patients, family recruitment, clinical profiling, and their genetic characterization using whole-exome sequencing. Different computational and functional studies were employed to validate the pathological status of the identified variants. Risk awareness and carrier testing information was provided to the participating families to reduce the occurrence of the disorder in future generations. My secondary research interest lies in virology and I developed an ELISA based in vitro infectivity assay for serum derived HCV genotype 3a of Pakistani population. This assay was helpful in screening serum samples with greater replication potential in cell culture. I taught lab technique modules to LUMS biology students, created recombinant DNA molecules for various applications and generated cell lines with stable and regulated expression of viral/regulatory proteins. I am also working of exploration of genetic aspects in human infertility and breast cancer cases.

My research work has been published in prestigious, peer reviewed international journals. Additionally, I contributed significantly in some interesting projects of human genetics which resulted in cutting edge findings to be published in the highly prestigious journal “Nature Genetics” and “Nature Communication”.

I am willing to develop an enthusiastic collaboration with a passionate team to bring health benefits to the people and improve the research culture in Pakistan. 

Research publications: