Position & Department: Chairman/Associate Professor, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science
Research Intersts: My research focus is molecular epidemiology of various parasitic diseases of animal and human origin. I am involved in arthropods and arthropods-borne diseases of veterinary and public significance. Presently, the streamline themes are metagenomics of ticks and mosquitoes and associated pathogens using molecular biology and biotechnology tools like ELISA, PCR and RNA interference. Climate change is another emerging issue and strategies like mitigation and adaptation can help in the sustainable of livestock productivity through control of climate compatible parasitic species. I am working with the world renowned team of Agricultural model inter-comparison and Improvement Project (AgMIP) for simulation of livestock parameters in the scenario of climate change. Other areas of research include studying epizootiological aspects of emerging and re-emerging arthropods and arthropod-borne diseases of veterinary and public health significance under the scenario of climate change and identification of climate-resilient and parasitic/pathogen resistant livestock breeds is another area to be explored.
Position & Department: Associate Professor, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science
Research Intersts: The research interests are mainly on the epidemiology and control of parasitic diseases of animals in Pakistan. This includes determination of factors contributing to parasitic diseases in local conditions, screening of different existing compounds and others particularly of plant origin for their efficacy as antiparasitics. The current research focus is on the documentation of traditional veterinary practices (ethnopharmacology) and their scientific validation using standard scientific procedures. Collaborations are also underway for working on development of anti-tick vaccine.
Research Intersts: Diagnosis and control of parasites of animal and human origin.
Research Intersts: My research interests are 1) molecular surveillance and immunological control of various parasitic diseases of veterinary and public health significance, 2) molecular identification of arthropods and arthropod-borne parasites, 3) Phylogenetic analysis of various new parasite species or genotypes, 4) host-parasite interaction and gene silencing. I plan to continue studies on the identification and genotyping of various water-borne parasites.
Position & Department: Assistant Professor, Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science
Research Intersts: Aquatic Veterinary Parasitology
Research Intersts: Parasitism is one of the major impediments of profitable livestock production throughout the world. My research interests are molecular epidemiology of parasitic diseases of veterinary/public health significance and molecular genetics of disease resistant livestock. Currently, I am working on phenotypic marker based identification of parasite resistant/susceptible indigenous goat breeds of Punjab, Pakistan. In future, I am intended to focus on Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) of parasite resistant livestock through phenotypic and genotypic (DNA) markers such as microsatellites, Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. In the long run, my research area will address issues with changing climate and its possible mitigation and adaptation strategies for sustainable of livestock production. Determination of parasitic load/risk and its molecular characterization in food supply chain is another area yet to be explored in future.