Gender: Male
Residence: Lahore, Pakistan
Short summary of skills, experience and career objective
I am a Microbiologist and PhD Scholar with over four years of experience spanning molecular diagnostics, laboratory quality assurance, biosafety management, and academic instruction. My technical skills include RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, multiplex and nested PCR, primer design, next-generation sequencing (Illumina, FastQC, BWA, MEGA), bacterial and viral isolation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, ELISA development, and BSL-3 laboratory operations. I am an IFBA-Certified BioRisk Professional, ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Fellow, and Fogarty International Research Fellow, with a growing publication record across virology, bacteriology, AMR, and One Health.
My doctoral research investigates arboviral epidemiology and the influence of agro-ecological zones on mosquito populations and arboviral diversity in Punjab, Pakistan. As a Visiting Lecturer, I also teach and mentor undergraduate microbiology students.
My career objective is to become an independent infectious disease researcher who strengthens diagnostic, surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance capacity in low-resource settings. Through advanced international training, I aim to acquire cutting-edge skills, transfer technology and expertise to my home institution, and contribute meaningfully to infection prevention and One Health research in Pakistan.
Professional profile
Career level:
Entry level
Status as medical specialist:
NA
Medical specialty, field of interest:
Epidemiology, Public Health, Microbiology
Research profile:
I am an early-career infectious disease researcher working across virology, bacteriology, antimicrobial resistance, and One Health, integrating molecular diagnostics, genomic surveillance, and field epidemiology to address pathogens of public health importance in low-resource settings.
My doctoral research examines the impact of agro-ecological zones on Aedes and Culex mosquito populations and arboviral diversity in Punjab, Pakistan, including sero-surveillance for neurotropic viruses (JEV, WNV) under NIH-D43 activities with Aga Khan University. My M.Phil. led molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants using RT-PCR, whole-genome sequencing, and phylogenetics. I have also researched bacteriophage therapy, probiotic pathogen mitigation, and ELISA-based viral diagnostics.
I am an ASM Future Leaders and Fogarty International Research Fellow, author of peer-reviewed articles and Springer book chapters, with national and international conference presentations.
Current (last) position held
Current employer company:
University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
Lahore, Pakistan
Job title:
Visiting Faculty
Duration:
16 September 2024
Current employer name of lead clinician:
Laboratory supervisor
Work experience
Visiting Lecturer | Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, Pakistan | September 2024 – Present
Teach undergraduate courses including B.S. (Hons.) Applied Microbiology and Medical Laboratory Technology, covering microbiology theory and practical laboratory sessions.
Supervise teaching laboratories with strict adherence to GLP and biosafety standards, ensuring correct sample handling, pathogen processing, and decontamination procedures.
Mentor students in molecular biology techniques, pathogen identification, and scientific report writing.
Contribute to curriculum planning, development of course materials, and design of practical skill-enhancement programs.
Participate in departmental academic development initiatives and coordinate with faculty for program quality improvement.
Lecturer & Departmental Coordinator | Department of Microbiology, Al-Shifa Institute of Health Sciences, Narowal, Pakistan | October 2022 – September 2024
Delivered lectures and practical sessions in core microbiology subjects including bacteriology, virology, immunology, and clinical microbiology.
Served as departmental coordinator, overseeing academic scheduling, co-curricular activities, and departmental quality planning.
Organized and conducted biosafety trainings, One Health awareness seminars, and biorisk management workshops for students and faculty.
Maintained course documentation, training records, and compliance files for institutional inspections and audits.
Successfully organized hands-on training sessions including ELISA kit development, biosafety and biosecurity practices, and serological disease diagnosis workshops.
Molecular Biologist – BSL-3 Laboratory for Emerging Pathogens | Institute of Microbiology, UVAS, Lahore, Pakistan | July 2021 – October 2022
Performed molecular diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2 using RT-PCR and other validated assays in a certified BSL-3 facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Developed and validated SOPs for sample collection, processing, RT-PCR workflow, and decontamination; ensured documentation remained audit-ready.
Maintained strict compliance with BSL-3 biosafety protocols and GLP requirements throughout all laboratory operations.
Conducted viral cell culture work, including isolation of SARS-CoV-2 on Vero cell lines.
Trained and supervised junior laboratory staff and technicians in diagnostic techniques, PPE usage, and sample-management workflows.
Prepared and submitted final analytical reports to the Laboratory Manager for review and onward reporting.
Awarded an Honorary Medal for outstanding volunteer contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education and Qualifications
Language skills:
English: Excellent
Special skills:
Molecular Biology & Diagnostics
Proficient in conventional and real-time PCR (RT-PCR, qRT-PCR), multiplex PCR, and nested PCR, with hands-on expertise in primer design and optimization using bioinformatics tools. Skilled in DNA/RNA extraction, purification, and molecular pathogen detection across clinical, food, water, and environmental matrices.
Genomics & Next-Generation Sequencing
Experienced in NGS workflows including Illumina library preparation, quality control (FastQC), sequence alignment (BWA), whole-genome sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis (MEGA). Competent in 16S metagenomics and microbiota data analysis, as well as full gene analysis to assess genetic variability and mutation patterns in viral pathogens.
Virology
Skilled in viral identification and isolation, including SARS-CoV-2 culture on Vero cell lines, cell-based assays, and Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus diagnostics. Led molecular surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern, applying geospatial and phylogenetic approaches.
Bacteriology & Antimicrobial Research
Competent in bacterial isolation, identification, and enumeration; antimicrobial susceptibility testing; and cell culture. Experienced in bacteriophage therapy reserch and probiotic-based pathogen mitigation studies against Salmonella and Campylobacter in animal models.
Immunology & Serology
Skilled in indirect and sandwich ELISA, ELISA kit development, latex agglutination, serological assays, sero-surveillance, and immune-marker studies for vector-borne diseases.
Vector-Borne Disease & Field Surveillance
Trained in mosquito collection, species identification, and pathogen screening, alongside arboviral diversity studies and sero-surveillance for neurotropic viruses (JEV, WNV) under NIH-D43 research training activities.Biosafety & BioRisk Management
IFBA-Certified Professional in BioRisk Management, Biosecurity, and Cyberbiosecurity.
Extensive experience in BSL-3 laboratory operations developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, including PPE protocols, decontamination, and emerging-pathogen handling.
Other qualifications
Certifications & Fellowships
IFBA Certified Professional – BioRisk Management, Biosecurity & Cyberbiosecurity (International Federation of Biosafety Associations)
Fogarty International Research Fellow – Fogarty International Center, NIH, in collaboration with Aga Khan University, Karachi (2025)
ASM Future Leaders Mentorship Fellowship (FLMF) – American Society for Microbiology (2025)
Python for Everybody – University of Michigan / Coursera (2023)
Desired job profile
Desired job profile:
I am seeking a full-time research-focused position as an Infectious Disease Research Fellow / Clinical Microbiologist in an academic, hospital, or research institution, with the following profile:
Core Role
A research and laboratory-based position focused on infectious diseases, clinical microbiology, and antimicrobial resistance, with opportunities to apply and expand my molecular diagnostic and genomic surveillance expertise.
A role that bridges laboratory science and clinical or public health application, enabling translation of bench findings into real-world diagnostic, surveillance, or stewardship impact.
Key Responsibilities Sought
Designing and conducting independent and collaborative research projects in infectious diseases, AMR, mycology, or vector-borne and emerging pathogens.
Performing advanced molecular and genomic techniques, including PCR-based diagnostics, next-generation sequencing, and bioinformatic analysis.
Contributing to pathogen surveillance, outbreak investigation, and resistance-mechanism characterization.
Preparing manuscripts, abstracts, and conference presentations, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
Mentoring students and junior researchers, and supporting capacity-building and technology-transfer initiatives.
Preferred Environment
A well-equipped institution with access to advanced diagnostic platforms (e.g., NGS, BSL-2/3 facilities) and active infectious disease or clinical microbiology research programs.
A collaborative, multidisciplinary setting that supports international knowledge exchange, professional development, and structured mentorship.
An organization committed to global health, One Health approaches, and strengthening research capacity.
Career Objective
To develop into an independent infectious disease researcher and educator who advances diagnostic, surveillance, and antimicrobial resistance capacity, and who transfers cutting-edge skills and technology back to my home institution and region to strengthen infection prevention and public health.
Desired job title:
Infectious Disease Research Fellow (Full Time)
Type of position:
Research position, Laboratory position, ESCMID exchange visit
Medical speciality:
Clinical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, Public Health, Microbiology
Type of contract:
Permanent, Temporary/contract/project, Placement student
Job status:
Full-time
Years of relevant work:
4
Geographical preference:
Anywhere in europe preferred Scandanivian countries, France, Germany, Italy and Spain
Availability:
01 July 2026
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