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My research focus is epidemiology and control of microbial/parasitic infections of one health significance using conventional and molecular tools. Major area of interest is arthropods and arthropods-borne diseases of one health significance with emphases on ticks and mosquitoes. I am involved in various graduate disciplines like Parasitology, Climate Change (CC), Microbiology, Zoology, Epidemiology and Public Health (EPH) which allows me to inter-link various facets of the disease ecology. I remained in-charge of One-Health lab in the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Agriculture and Food Security (USPCAS-AFS) and Chairman of the Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Presently, I am working as Tenured Professor of Parasitology and In-charge of Molecular Parasitology and One Health Lab., Department of Parasitology, UAF, Pakistan. In addition, I have experience in winning competitive grants from national and international funding organizations. I have secured 10 grants as PI/ Co-PI and mentored >50 M.Phils and 12 PhDs as Chairman/co-supervisor/ member. The Ministry of S & T awarded me Research Productivity Awards consecutively for the 6 years (2010 to 2015). So far, I have published ~80 research papers in ISI indexed journals having IF of > 85, one text book & 123 abstracts in proceedings. Recently, I have edited a book titled “Parasitic Control Strategies for the Developing World” published by the CABI, London, UK. I am working as “Section Editor-Veterinary Science” of the UAF’s official Journal “PJAS” (IF-0.748) and have authored the first guidelines for “Institutional Animal Care and Use” at UAF. Presently, the streamline research themes include (a) Epidemiology of emerging and re-emerging arthropods and arthropod-borne diseases using surveillance and modeling approaches (b) metagenomics of ticks and mosquitoes and associated pathogens using molecular biology and biotechnology tools like ELISA, PCR and RNA interference, (c) CC impact assessment, mitigation and adaptation through climate-smart practices - linking CC attributes to the epidemiology of vectors and vector-borne diseases and (d) identification of climate-resilient and parasitic/pathogen resistant livestock breeds and arthropods. Other areas of interests include critical thinking techniques, project planning and management, scientific writings and presentations, mentoring students for planning and execution of community based social action projects. |
