My Journey

I am currently a Professor at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where I also lead the Plant Biotechnology Research Unit at the Princess Dr. Najlaa Bint Saud Al Saud Center for Distinguished Research in Biotechnology. Additionally, I serve as a Visiting Professor at Daffodil International University in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Adjunct Research Faculty at Chitkara University and Chandigrah University in Punjab, and Research Fellow at INTI International University in Malaysia.

I completed my Ph.D. in Botany, specializing in Plant Ecophysiology and Molecular Biology, from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India, in 2011. I began my career as an Assistant Professor at the University of Kashmir, Srinagar, and subsequently joined Universiti Putra Malaysia, where I worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow in 2012 and as a Fellow Researcher (Associate Professor) from 2013 to 2016. In August 2016, I joined King Abdulaziz University as an Associate Professor and was promoted to Professor in 2019.

With over 15 years of experience in teaching and research, my expertise spans Plant Eco-Physiology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Medicinal Plant Research, Plant-Microbe-Soil Interactions, and Environmental Studies. I have received numerous national and international fellowships and am a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology, London. Over the years, I have served as a Visiting Scientist at Fatih University, Istanbul, Turkey, and Jinan University, Guangzhou, China, and I am actively involved in international research collaborations with various government organizations.To date, I have authored and edited over 100 books published by leading international publishers, including Springer Nature, Academic Press (Elsevier), and CRC Press. My research portfolio includes more than 200 publications in peer-reviewed international journals, over 11,000 citations, an H-index of 57, and 80 book chapters. Currently, I serve on the editorial boards and as a reviewer for numerous high-impact international scientific journals from publishers such as Elsevier, Springer Nature, Taylor and Francis, Cambridge University Press, and John Wiley & Sons. I also hold an advisory board position with Cambridge Scholars Publishing in the UK.As a Fellow of the Plantae Group from the American Society of Plant Biologists, I am also a member of the World Academy of Science, the International Society for Development and Sustainability in Japan, and the Asian Federation of Biotechnology in Korea. My accomplishments have been recognized in Marquis Who’s Who in the World from 2014 to 2021. Currently, my research focuses on studying plant processes at both eco-physiological and molecular levels.

Education

  • Jamia Hamdard University

    PhD (Botany) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India in 2011.

  • Jamia Hamdard University

    MSc (Environmental Botany) from Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi in 2006.

  • Sikkim Manipal University

    MSc (Ecology & Environment) from Sikkim Manipal University, Gangtok in 2005.

  • Kashmir University

    BSc (General) from Govt. Degree College Anantnag, Kashmir University in 2003.

Teaching Experience / Training

  • Teaching experience in the subjects of Ecology & Environmental studies, Molecular biology, Bioresource technology, Bioinformatics and Plant physiology at graduate and postgraduate level at Jamia Hamdard and University of Kashmir, India and King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah from June, 2007 till date.
  • Three months Capsule course/Training on water, wastewater and air pollution monitoring at ‘Indian Institute of Ecology & Environment’, New Delhi, India.

Fellowships / Awards / Honors

  • Recipient of University Grants Commissions (Govt. Of India) fellowship (JRF) for meritorious students in science (2008-2011).
  • Student Fellowship Award for Participation in N2010 (5th International Nitrogen Conference 3 – 7 December 2010, New Delhi, INDIA).
  • Recipient of the ‘Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)’ Fellowship for Visiting Scientists (May-June 2014).
  • Plantae Fellow (American Society of Plant Biologists) 2016 Read more.
  • Sentinels of Science Award (Agriculture and Biology Sciences Category) 2016 by Publons.
  • Top Reviewer Award (Multidisciplinary Category) 2017 by Publons.
  • Top Reviewer’s Award (Assorted Category) 2018 by Publons.
  • Marquis Who’s Who in the World (2014-2020 Editions).
  • Research Fellow, INTI International University, Malaysia.
  • Member of the “Post Graduate Committee for Admissions and Research” at Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University (2017-till date).
  • Member of the “Committee for Examining Scientific Thesis and Detecting Plagiarism” at Department of Biological Sciences, King Abdulaziz University (2021-till date).
  • Member of the standing committee “BIO-110 (Biology at Graduate Level course)” at King Abdulaziz University (2019-2020).
  • Fellow, the Royal Society of Biology, London, UK (2020).
  • Outstanding Scientist Award 2021 by VDGOOD, India.
  • Fellow, International Society of Environmental Relationship And Sustainability (ISERS) Membership ID: M23110200 Read more.
  • Fellow, International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI) 2021, Hong Kong. Read more.
  • Ist Rank (Agriculture & Forestry / Plant Science) in King Abdulaziz University by AD Scientific Ranking, 2021 Read more. .
  • Council member, International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI) 2022, Hong Kong Read more. 
  • Head (Plant Biotechnology Research Unit) at Princess Dr. Najlaa Bint Saud Al Saud Center for Distinguished Research in Biotech, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.
  • Included in the world’s top 2% Scientists (Plant Science) by Stanford University and Elsevier BV, Netherlands. 2021 Read more. 
  • Included in the world’s top 2% Scientists (Plant Science) by Stanford University and Elsevier BV, Netherlands. 2022 Read more. .
  • Included in the world’s top 2% Scientists (Plant Science) by Stanford University and Elsevier BV, Netherlands. 2023 Read more. 
  • Research Evaluator/Reviewer at Fund for Scientific Research-FNRS, Belgium.
  • Member, Research Advisory Committee, Govt. Degree College Mendhar, University of Jammu, India.

Collaborations

Visiting Scientist / Professor / International Consultant

  • Adjunct Research Faculty: UCRD, Chandigarh University, Punjab. (July 2024 onwards) Visit.
  • Adjunct Research Faculty: Centre for Research Impact & Outcome, Chitkara University, Punjab. (Jan. 2024 onwards) Visit.
  • Visiting Professor: Department of Public Health, DAFFODIL INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Nov. 2021 onwards) Visit.
  • Research Fellow: INTI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY, Persiaran Perdana BBN, Putra Nilai 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. (Dec. 2023 onwards) Visit.
  • Tubitak Fellow: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, FATIH UNIVERSITY, Istanbul, Turkey. (May 2013) Visit.
  • Visiting Scientist: Marine Drug Research Center, College of Pharmacy, JINAN UNIVERSITY, Guangzhou, China. (December 2014) Visit.
  • International Consultant: Guidepoint, New York Visit.
  • International Consultant: SilverLight Research International Consultancy, London, UK Visit.

Research Grants

  • Principle Investigator (PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2019-20): Evaluation of antioxidant enzyme functioning and metabolites in leguminous plant (Pisum sativum) under sludge stress in arid and semi-arid environments (SAR 40,000).
  • Principle Investigator (PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2018-19): Impact of drought on ecophysiology, metabolomic profile, and medicinal quality of Nigella sativa (SAR 40,000).
  • Principle Investigator (PI), Distinct Research, (2017): Lead (Pb)-induced phytotoxicity and oxidative stress in buckwheat seedlings (Fagopyrum kashmirianum Munshi) (SAR 10,000).
  • Principle Investigator (PI), Putra Grant, UPM-Malaysia (2014-2015): Mapping the proteome of thick-walled and rapidly growing bamboo for the development of thick-walled bamboo plantlets (RM 118,000).
  • Principle Investigator (PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2020-21): Evaluating the exogenous application of calcium in alleviating cadmium-induced stress in common buckwheat through biochemical, physiological, and metabolomics pathways (SAR 30,000).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), HiCi Program, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2021-23): Improved functional annotation approach of complex carbohydrate-degrading enzymes (1.5 Million SAR).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), COST ACTION FOR BACTERIAL FERTILIZERS (SCOTTIE) 2023: Submitted.
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), Deanship of Scientific Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, KSA (2022): Accumulation and quantification of Amaryllidaceae alkaloids in response to elicitor in different species of Crinum, Hippeastrum.
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), Deanship of Scientific Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, KSA (2022): Conservation, multiplication, and propagation of Moringa peregrina—An Endangered Plant of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), Deanship of Scientific Research, University of Tabuk, Tabuk, KSA (2023): Conservation strategies and seed bank formation in Tabuk region.
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), Disease diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of metabolic and autoimmune diseases (diabetes, cancer, obesity, inflammation, atopy, psoriasis, etc.), RDO, KSA (2023): (600,000 SAR).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2019-20): Evaluation of Protein Thiols for Aquatic Plant Tolerance and Adaptability to Different Stress for Future Involvement in Heavy Metal and Pesticide Remediation (SAR 100,000).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2018-19): Explicating the physiological and molecular mechanisms of micronutrient mediated salt stress tolerance in soybean (SAR 100,000).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2017-18): Physiological and Biochemical mechanisms for Mitigation of salt stress in Vigna radiata (mungbean) using Zinc (SAR 40,000).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), Plant Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2017-2018): Antioxidant response and proteomic modulations in mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) under salt stress (SAR 130,000).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2017-18): Evaluation and chemical enhancement of two ornamental plants as phytoremediation candidates for Cd and Pb contaminated soils (SAR 46,600).
  • Co-Investigator (Co-PI), General Group Funding, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, KSA (2017-18): Antioxidant response and proteomic modulations in tomato (Vigna radiata L.) under drought stress (SAR 45,000).
  • Co-Researcher, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia (2015): Flood occurrence reduction measures by runoff prediction based on land use scenario analysis using SCS-CN method and GIS for Kelantan River Basin (RM 70,000).
  • Co-Researcher, eSciencefund (MOSTI), Malaysia (2014-2016): Proteomics identification of gaharu synthesis enzymes in pathogen-induced Aquilaria for the production of high-impact compounds (RM 340,000).
  • Co-Researcher, Putra Grant, UPM-Malaysia (2014-2016): Development of Mangrove Quality Index (MQI): benchmarking mangrove health for Peninsular Malaysia (RM 470,000).
  • Co-Researcher, Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), Malaysia (2015-2017): Assessment of tree species diversity and their chemical constituents across intertidal zones at different locations of mangrove ecosystems in Peninsular Malaysia (RM 137,000).
  • Co-Researcher, Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) Project on Mangroves of Malaysia (2016-2017): Determination of key factors causing lower mangrove productivity at Matang (RM 90,000).

Research Supervision

Significant Research Contributions

  • Identified candidate genes for low-N tolerance in wheat and rice through analysis of proteome profile of low-N tolerant and low-N sensitive varieties.
    (Published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 2012; Molecular Breeding 2013).
  • Identified candidate genes for salt tolerance in soybean and cadmium toxicity reduction in mung bean.
    (Published in Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology 2013; Int. Journal of Mol. Science 2013).
  • Worked out the potential of various extracts of Ajwa date, fennel, and dill plants against prostate, breast, and liver cancer cell lines.
    (Published in Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2018 a,b,c).
  • Collaborated in a multinational team of scientists from 46 countries and worked out the phylogenetic classification of the world’s tropical rain forests.
    (Published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA (PNAS), 2018).
  • Developed Mangrove Quality Index (MQI) for the world mangrove forests, taking Matang, Malaysia as the study area and figured out the most viable and novel index parameters for MQI development.
    (Published in Ecological Indicators, 2019; MethodsX, 2019).

Membership of Learned Societies

  • The Royal Society of Biology, London, UK (Fellow). Visit.
  • American Society of Plant Biologists (Plantae Fellow). Visit.
  • International Society for Development and Sustainability (Fellow). Visit.
  • Asian Federation of Biotechnology, Korea. Visit.
  • Saudi Biological Society. Visit.
  • World Academy of Science. Visit.
  • International Plant Proteomics Organization, Malaysia (INPPO). Visit.
  • Center for Inland Waters in South Asia, India. Visit.
  • International Institute of Chemical, Biological & Environmental Engineering.
  • International Society of Environmental Relationship And Sustainability (ISERS). Visit.
  • International Engineering and Technology Institute (IETI) (Fellow, 2022, Hong Kong). Visit.

Summary of Publications

Total Publications: 400+
Total: 500+
Citations:  more than 11000+
h-index: 60+
i10 index: 204+
Cumulative Impact Factor Score: 700+
Research Gate Score: 60