Profile Personal Info Skills Experience Education Collaborations Awards Talks

Professional Profile

Evolutionary biologist and computational geneticist with expertise in population genomics, hybridisation genetics, phylogeography, systematics, and plant climate adaptation. My research combines whole-genome sequencing with custom-developed bioinformatics pipelines to quantify evolutionary responses to environmental change across spatial and temporal scales. This work has been recognised by the Erich Oberdorfer Foundation Research Award (2019) and published in leading journals including New Phytologist, Molecular Ecology, and Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences. I am committed to establishing an independent research programme that integrates evolutionary genomics with interdisciplinary collaboration and contributes to biodiversity-informed policy through engagement with the IUCN Commissions on Ecosystem Management (CEM) and Education and Communication (CEC).

Personal Information

  • Nationality: German
  • Languages: English (Fluent); German (Proficient); Urdu (Native)

Computational and Technical Skills

Programming & Data Science

  • Artificial Intelligence & Genomic Modeling: Application of AI-based Large Language Models (LLMs) for genome analysis, functional annotation, variant interpretation, and integrative bioinformatics workflows.
  • Programming Languages: R (Bioconductor, tidyverse), Python, Bash, Perl
  • Data Analysis & Visualization: R (ggplot2, dplyr), Python (pandas, NumPy, matplotlib, seaborn), Jupyter Notebooks
  • High-Performance Computing & Workflow Management: HPC environments, Slurm job scheduling, parallel processing, Nextflow, Snakemake
  • Machine Learning: Deep learning (PyTorch, TensorFlow), model development and deployment
  • Statistical Modeling: Generalized Linear/Additive Models (GLM/GAM), Bayesian inference, multivariate statistics

Bioinformatics & Genomics

  • Genome Assembly & Annotation: De novo hybrid genome assembly (Illumina, ONT, PacBio HiFi) and scaffolding (Hi-C)
  • Temporal Population Genomics: Analysis of allele frequency change over time to detect signatures of selection (purifying and positive) and infer demographic history
  • Hybridization Genomics: Analysis of natural and experimental hybrid populations to investigate introgression, selection against hybrids, and barriers to gene flow

Population Genetics & Phylogenetics Software

  • Variant Calling & Filtering: GATK, ANGSD, BCFtools/SAMtools, Stacks, PLINK
  • Population Structure & Demography: ADMIXTURE, STRUCTURE, fastsimcoal2, ∂a∂i, TreeMix, ABBA-BABA (D-statistics), DIYABC
  • Phylogenetics & Phylogenomics: RAxML, MrBayes, BEAST, SplitsTree

Geospatial Analysis (GIS)

  • Landscape Genomics: Spatial analysis and visualization of genetic and ecological data using ArcGIS & QGIS
  • Species Distribution Modeling (SDM): Ensemble modeling using multiple algorithms (MaxEnt, GLM, GAM, Random Forest, Boosted Regression Trees)

Wet-lab Skills

  • Molecular Techniques: High-throughput DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, qPCR, gel electrophoresis, Sanger sequencing
  • Genomic Library Preparation: ddRAD-seq, Oxford Nanopore (DNA/RNA), Illumina library prep
  • Microbiology: Aseptic technique for the isolation, culturing, and maintenance of bacteria and fungi for plant microbiome analysis and pathogen assays.

Professional Experience

Teaching Assistant & Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Cologne, Germany | 2022 – Present

  • Coordinate theoretical modules and teach practical classes in Population Genetics and Ecology; mentor BSc students in experimental design, phenotyping, whole‑genome sequencing (WGS) data analysis, and scientific interpretation; prepare and assess examinations.
  • Perform genome assembly and annotation for Brassicaceae species using HiFi long-read, Hi-C, and Illumina short-read technologies.
  • Investigate plant evolutionary dynamics under climate change through temporal genomics, hybridization genetics, and common garden experiments.
  • Associated Member, DFG TRR 341; mentor and guide MSc/PhD students within TRR‑affiliated projects.

Postdoctoral Researcher

Senckenberg/LOEWE Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics | 2019 – 2022

  • Characterized the impact of landscape heterogeneity on fine-scale genetic structure and gene flow in Microthlaspi erraticum using whole genome resequencing.
  • Dissected the effects of host genotype, microbiome, and abiotic factors on plant disease incidence.
  • Assembled microbial genomes from Oxford Nanopore long-reads, polished with Illumina data.
  • Validated functional roles of microbial taxa via synthetic microbiome inoculations in contrasting host genotypes
  • Governance and community roles: Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee and TBG Steering Committee; part of the Young Scientists main speaker team (ECR network collaborating with the Board of Directors).
  • Organised institute-level events (annual retreats, Diversity Days, training workshops); participated in committee meetings on organisational issues and budgeting, gaining practical insight into decision-making processes.

PhD Research Associate

Goethe University & Senckenberg (SBiK-F), Frankfurt | 2011 – 2019

  • Clarified the systematics of Microthlaspi (Brassicaceae) by describing two new genera (Ihsanalshehbazia, Friedrichkarlmeyeria) and three new species.
  • Reconstructed Pleistocene range dynamics and post-glacial colonization routes of Palearctic plant populations using phylogeographic and demographic modeling.
  • Integrated ecological niche modeling with population genetics to explain spatial patterns of biodiversity.
  • Coordinated international fieldwork across Europe, North Africa, and Asia (planning, permits, sampling logistics)
  • Disseminated results through peer‑reviewed publications and conference presentations

Research Internship / MRes Project

The James Hutton Institute, UK | 2009 – 2010

  • Investigated alternative splicing in barley under cold/drought stress, identifying stress-responsive variants via RNA assays (RT-PCR/qPCR).

Lecturer in Botany/Biology

Khawaja Fareed Govt. College, Pakistan | 2002 – 2008

  • Taught undergraduate biology; designed curricula and assessments; supervised labs; advised students.

GCE Advance Level Biology Teacher

The City School, Lahore/Vehari Branches, Pakistan | 1998 – 2002

  • Taught A‑Level Biology; prepared students for examinations; coordinated practicals.

Research Internship / MSc Project

University of Agriculture, Faisalabad | 1997 – 1998

  • Evaluated drought resistance in wheat germplasm from arid regions, using greenhouse/field screens and statistical analysis (ANOVA).

Education and Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Dr. rer. nat.)
    Goethe University & Senckenberg (SBiK-F), Frankfurt, Germany | 2019
    Dissertation: “Morphology, systematics and phylogeography of Microthlaspi (Brassicaceae, Coluteocarpeae)”
  • Master of Research (MRes), Crops for the Future
    University of Dundee, UK | 2010
    Dissertation: “The Role of Alternative Splicing in Barley in Response to Cold/Drought Stress”
  • Master of Science (MSc), Botany
    University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan | 1998
    Dissertation: “Drought Resistance of Wheat Germplasm Collected from some Arid Regions of Baluchistan and Punjab”
  • Bachelor of Science (BSc), Chemistry, Botany, Zoology
    B.Z. University Multan, Pakistan | 1995

Collaboration Projects

  • Assessed urbanization impacts on Solidago canadensis and Tanacetum vulgare via AFLP/MS-AFLP genotyping (University of Potsdam, Germany).
  • Conducted phylogenomics of fungal pathogens (Technical University of Munich, Germany).
  • Analyzed spatial diversity patterns and phylogeography of endangered plants (Palacký University Olomouc, Czech Republic)

Awards & Professional Service

  • Associate Editor & Science Mentor, Frontiers for Young Minds Journal
  • Member, IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) & Education & Communication (CEC)
  • Erich Oberdorfer Foundation Research Award (2019), Karlsruhe, Germany
  • Goethe Graduate Academy Fellowship (2011-2015), Frankfurt, Germany
  • Global Excellence Postgraduate Scholarship (2009), University of Dundee, UK
  • Students’ Award for Outstanding Biology Teaching (2005, 2007), Higher Education Dept., Pakistan

Selected Conferences, Workshops, and Invited Talks

  • Ecosystem Restoration: An overlooked opportunity for Economic growth (2021) Bahria University, Karachi, Pakistan.
  • Role of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Restoration in Climate Change Mitigation (2020), International Conference on One Health, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
  • Misconceptions about Evolution and the Mechanisms of Evolution (2020), University of Peshawar, Pakistan.
  • From jargon to human: Translating Science to Kids (Workshop 2020), Friends For Future International Youth Conference.
  • The Talking Climate Workshop (2020), SDGs Academy, Pakistan.
  • Pleistocene Glaciation and Palearctic Phylogeography: Inferring Species Glacial Refugia and Recolonization Routes (2019), Monrepos Archaeological Research Center, Neuwied, Germany.
  • Modelling of Range-Wide Pathogen Pressure in an Annual Member of the Brassicaceae (2019), Wild Plant Pathosystems Conference, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Genomics and Climate Adaptation (2018), Senckenberg Translational Biodiversity Genomics, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
  • Determination of Genetic Diversity of Arabidopsis thaliana in the Italian Peninsula Using Next-Generation Genotyping (RAD-Seq) (Workshop, 2015), Botanikertag, Munich, Germany.
  • Influence of Climate and Geography on Occurrence of Infection in Microthlaspi perfoliatum (2014), German Mycological Society Congress, Mettlach-Orscholz, Germany.
  • Diversity of Arabidopsis thaliana in Italy as Inferred from Next-Generation Genotyping in Relation to Biotic and Abiotic Factors (2013), Wild Plant Pathosystems Conference, Olomouc, Czech Republic.