Our Team

Dr. Zunaira is Incharge of CAS-NGS & Bioinformatics Facility and Assistant Professor at UAF. A Fulbright alumna with a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, her expertise includes, genomics, transcriptomics, functional genomics, genome editing and plant-microbe interactions.

host-pathogen interactions, pathogen genomics, genomic surveillance, molecular diagnostics, comparative genomics

Leading CAS-NGS & Bioinformatics Facility; establishing NGS and computational genomics capacity; plant health genomic surveillance; host–pathogen transcriptomics; functional genomics for disease resistance; and development of genomics-based diagnostics and bioinformatics resources.

Ph.D.

Genomics and Transcriptomics, Comparative genomics, Variant analysis, Functional genomics, Genome editing, Plant–microbe interactions, Pathogen genomics, Molecular diagnostics and Genomic surveillance.

dr.zunaira@uaf.edu.pk

+923442226615

Plant biotechnologist and molecular researcher specializing in NGS library preparation, Oxford Nanopore sequencing, molecular plant pathology, and CRISPR-based crop improvement. Experienced in DNA/RNA extraction, library preparation, sequencing workflows, and molecular characterization.

NGS library preparation, plant biotechnology, and molecular characterization of plant-associated microorganisms.

Development and optimization of NGS workflows, including DNA/RNA extraction and NGS library preparation for whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics using Oxford Nanopore technology. Experienced in sequencing workflows for microbial, plant, and environmental samples.

Ph.D Biotechnology

NGS Library Preparation; Oxford Nanopore Sequencing; Whole-Genome Sequencing; Metagenomics; DNA/RNA Extraction; Molecular Biology; PCR and Molecular Characterization; Plant–Pathogen Interactions; Molecular Plant Pathology; CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing; Plant Biotechnology; Microbial Genomics.

arshashuali@gmail.com

+923000674733

My research background is primarily in molecular biology, genomics, bioinformatics, and genome editing. At CAS, my interests are focused on genome editing particularly next-generation sequencing, computational genomics, and their applications in agricultural biotechnology.

Biotechnology, Metagenomics, Host-pathogen interaction

PhD Biotechnology

mariyam.masood@uaf.edu.pk

+923217609212

I am a plant biotechnology researcher specializing in crops and plants, CRISPR-Cas genome editing, DNA/RNA extraction, NGS library preparation, Oxford Nanopore sequencing, genomics, and NGS data analysis, with a focus on advancing agricultural genomics.

Genetic Engineering, CRISPR-Cas Genome Editing, Plant Stress Biology, Functional Genomics.

– Annum N, Ahmed M, Tester M, Mukhtar Z and Saeed NA (2023). Physiological responses induced by phospholipase C isoform 5 upon heat stress in Arabidopsis thaliana. Front. Plant Sci. 14:1076331. http://doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1076331. http://doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1076331
– Imtiaz K, Ahmed M, Annum N, Tester M and Saeed NA (2023). AtCIPK16, a CBL-Interacting Protein Kinase Gene confers salinity Tolerance in Transgenic Wheat. Front. Plant Sci. 14:1127311. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1127311 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2023.1127311
– Annum N, Ahmed M, Imtiaz K, Mansoor S, Tester M and Saeed NA (2022). 32Pi Labeled Transgenic Wheat Shows the Accumulation of Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate and Phosphatidic Acid Under Heat and Osmotic Stress. Front. Plant Sci. 13:881188. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.881188 https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.881188

PhD Biotechnology

Molecular Biology, Agrobacterium-mediatedTransformation, Tissue Culture, DNA/RNA Extraction from Plant Samples, Library Preparation, ONT Sequencing

annum21naz@gmail.com

+923366417895

I have working experience in plant molecular biology for the development of transgenic crops using Agrobacterium-medicated transformation. Moreover, I have expertise in recombinant protein engineering and CRISPR-Cas System.

CRISPR/Cas System, GMO development, Protein Biology

• Ahmed, Z., Ayesha, Afzal, A., Ali M., Khan, MH. & Rehman R., “Comparison of zinc fertilizer application response in biofortified and non-biofortified wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) varieties and advanced lines”. Journal of Agriculture and Food, vol.6(2), pp. 74-87, 2025. https://doi.org/10.52587/JAF060205 (IF:NA)
• Riasat, N., Sana, A., Khan, M.H., Kabeer, T., Sehar, L., Khan, M.T., & Arshad, M. “Designing of smart gene resources and computational approaches for sustainable environment: Opportunities and Future Challenges”. Journal of Soil, Plant and Environment, vol.3(2), pp. 86–104, 2024. https://doi.org/10.56946/jspae.v3i2.492 (IF: 1.8)
• Naeem, M. A., Hanif, I., Ullah, M., Khan, M. H., & Nazish, T. “Characterization of NaCl Stress in Young Bismarckia Palm (Bismarckia Nobilis)”. Journal of Bioresource Management, 10(3), 4. 2023. https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/jbm/vol10/iss3/4 (IS: 0.484)
• Marghoob, M. U., Nawaz, A., Ahmad, M., Waheed, M. Q., Khan, M. H., Imtiaz, M., Islam, E.U., Imran, A., Mubeen, F. “Assessment of Halotolerant Bacterial and Fungal Consortium for Augmentation of wheat in Saline Soils”. Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 14, 1207784, 2023.
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2023.1207784 (IF: 5.8)
• Mazhar, S. I., Ali, A., Tilly, T. B., Khan, M. H., & Wu, C. Y. “Efficient Adsorption of Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbons by Electrospun Hydrophobic PTFE-NiO Composite Nanofiber Filter Mats" Discover Nano, vol. 18(65), pp. 01-17, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1186/s11671-023-03834-4 (IF: 6.7)
• Naeem, M.A., M.H. Khan, T. Nazish, U. Bashir & Midrarullah, “Allelopathic potential of crop water extracts of Gossypium hirsutum on germination and growth of wheat (Triticum aestivm L.)”
Pakistan Journal of Weed Science Research, vol. 29(1), pp. 9-18, 2023. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.PJWSR/2023/29.1.9.18 (IS: 1.31)
• Nazish, T., Arshad, M., Jan, S.U., Javaid A., Khan, MH., Naeem, MA., Babar, M. & Ali, M.,
“Transporters and transcription factors gene families involved in improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and assimilation in rice (Oryza sativa L.)” Transgenic Research, vol. 31, pp. 23–42, 2022.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11248-021-00284-5 (IF: 1.9)
• H Sattar, S. Firyal, AR. Awan, Habib-ur-Rehman, M. Tayyab, MS. Hasni, MM. Ali, S. Saeed, T. Mehmood, AI. Aqib, MH. Khan, M. Wasim, “Genetic association of polymorphism and relative mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene in mastitis in Sahiwal cow” International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, vol. 25(1), pp. 701‒708, 2021. https://doi.10.17957/IJAB/15.1719 (IS: 0.54)
• MH. Khan, Z. Mukhtar, M. Arshad, M. Sarwar, S. Asad, “Development and evaluation of synthetic vip3A gene in transgenic cotton for protection against chewing insect pests” International Journal of Agriculture and Biology, vol. 25(1), pp. 211-221, 2021. https://doi.10.17957/IJAB/15.1658 (IS: 0.54)
• MH. Khan, G. Jander, Z. Mukhtar, M. Arshad, M. Sarwar, S. Asad, “Comparison of in vitro and in planta toxicity of Vip3A for lepidopteran herbivores”, Journal of Economic Entomology, vol. 113(6), pp. 2959-2971, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toaa211 (IF: 2.5)
• Naveed, Z.A., Awan, M.J.A., Masood, M., Annum, N., Khan, M.H., Aslam, S., Ahmad, S., Ijaz S., Jamil, M., Zahra, A. and Ghouri, M.Z., *Khan, S.H., “CRISPR-Cas-Mediated Genome Editing and Diagnostics – A Laboratory Manual”, (2026), Ed.1st, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. ISBN: 978-627-7823-25-2
• Naveed, Z.A., Bibi A., Masood, M., Annum, N., Khan, M.H., *Khan, S.H., “Next Generation Sequencing – A Laboratory Manual”, (2026), Ed.1st, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. ISBN: 978-627-7823-32-0

PhD

Molecular Biology, Transformation, Tissue Culture, DNA/RNA Extraction from Plant Sample, ONT Sequencing

hassaan_faizan@yahoo.com

+923232467141

I am a Bioinformatics graduate with strong foundation in high throughput Genomic Data Analysis and Metagenomics. While working with CAS-NGS I analyzed and assembled different plant and bacterial genomes like Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum & Gossypium arboreum), Rice (Oryza sativa) and Aureimonas.

Genomics, Metagenomics

Bacterial genome assembly. Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/JCBJOV010000001

BS(Bioinformatics)

NGS Data Analysis, Drug discovery

tanveerasif2005@gmail.com

+923146272724

Motivated and versatile bioinformatics graduate with experience in research, data analysis, and academic coordination.

Genomics, Proteomics, Metagenomics

Cotton Arboreum & Hemp Genome Assembly
Novel Bacterial Genome Assembly
Wheat Rust Microscopy & Image Dataset
Protein Structure Prediction
Network Pharmacology & Molecular Docking
Virtual Screening of Natural Compounds

Bs- Bioinformatics

Bioinformatics & Drug Discovery, Programming & Computing, Remote Sensing & GIS, Research, scientific writing

hadiarahman2005@gmail.com

03351311404

Dr. Zunaira is Incharge of CAS-NGS & Bioinformatics Facility and Assistant Professor at UAF. A Fulbright alumna with a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, her expertise includes NGS, genomics, transcriptomics, bioinformatics, functional genomics, genome editing and plant-microbe interactions.

dr.zunaira@uaf.edu.pk

+923442226615