Successful PhD Defense of Hifza Imtiaz, Supervised by Dr. Yasar Sajad
Miss Hifza Imtiaz successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled “Evaluation of Physiological, Biochemical and Genetic Responses in Chlorophytum comosum for Tolerance to Formaldehyde: An Indoor Air Pollutant” on 25th Sep, 2025 in library conference room. The defense was attended by the faculty and student aliong with the panel of examiners. Her work was supervised by Dr. Yasar Sajad who is an expert in agriculture biotechnology domain.
The examiner panel showed their satisfaction over the study design and the way students defended her work. We wish Miss Hifza Imtiaz and Dr. Yasar Sajjad best of luck for the future endeavors.
Congratulations and Celebrations
We are thrilled to share the outstanding achievement of the Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus in the recently held SSBC Inter-University Business Plan Competition, organized by the Student Startup Business Club (SSBC), COMSATS ATD. Our students secured top positions at this inter university competition, reflecting their innovative spirit and scientific excellence:
🔹 1st Position – Single Cell Protein (SCP) – Business Pitch Competition 2025
Team led by Daniyal Abdullah, Umar Zeb, and Sara Asif from BTY3 under the supervision of Dr. Iftikhar Zeb presented their Single Cell Protein (SCP), a sustainable microbial protein alternative in Business Pitch Competition 2025.
Single Cell Protein (SCP) represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable nutrition that involves
- Microbial biomass cultivated through fermentation of bacteria, yeast, or algae
- Complete protein source containing all essential amino acids
- Sustainable alternative requiring 90% less land and water than conventional protein sources
- Versatile application for both human nutrition and animal feed
Our research focused on optimizing waste-to-protein conversion, demonstrating how agricultural byproducts can be transformed into high-value protein through microbial fermentation.
🔹 2nd Position – Project Title: MycoCraft
Developed by MS Biotechnology – Semester 2 students Urwa Mir, Subhan and Umar (BTY3), the idea creatively explored the potential of fungi-based materials, aligning biotechnology with eco-friendly these remarkable accomplishments highlight the department’s commitment to fostering research-driven entrepreneurship and real-world problem solving. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winning teams and express deep appreciation to the faculty and mentors who guided them. Let us continue to support and celebrate such success stories that enhance the academic, innovative, and entrepreneurial reputation of our department and institution.
Career Counseling Seminar at Department of Biotechnology
A carrier counseling seminar was organized by Internship and Placement Committee, Department of Biotechnology, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus
on 3 June 2025 at Haroon Rashid Auditorium, CUI Abbottabad. The guest speaker was Dr. Saghir Abbass, an internationally recognized scholar and entrepreneur, serving as CEO of LINC Hub, Leafrex, and SUSI Experts.
The purpose of seminar was to bring awareness among students about scholarships and research programs abroad and career opportunities in biotechnology
Dr. Saghir Abbass briefed the students about Short and Long Term Fully Funded Scholarships, like Fulbright Scholarship (USA), SUSI (Study of the U.S. Institutes), Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degrees (EU), DAAD (Germany), MEXT (Japan), CSC (China Scholarship Council), Chevening (UK), Turkiye Burslari (Turkey), Swedish Institute Scholarships (Sweden), requirements of these scholarships, and also the Research-Based Exchange Programs like DAAD RISE – Germany, MITACS Globalink – Canada, Amgen Scholars Program – USA & EU, CALTECH SURF – USA, RISE Worldwide – Germany
He emphasized how these programs are career-transforming can be a strong platform for international biotechnology job markets and online portals which include high-demand pharmaceuticals, biomedical research, health tech, and synthetic biology fields. He emphasized on the utilization of network like LinkedIn, EURES – European job mobility portal, Luxembourg Job Market site, LinkedIn Careers, Glassdoor, and Nature Jobs for scientific roles, Euraxess etc.
Dr. Imran Hussain also gave an academic-centered briefing on writing strong motivation letters and research proposals, contacting foreign supervisors for research opportunities, crafting tailored CVs and cover letters for both academic and industrial roles and Managing timelines, references, and documentation for scholarship applications
The seminar was formally concluded by Prof. Dr. Jamshaid Hussain, who appreciated the efforts of the Internship and Placement Committee and acknowledged the relevance of such seminars in today’s competitive academic world. He encouraged students to dream big, think globally, and work hard towards securing international opportunities in research, academics, and industry.
Farewell Dinner to Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah
Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah who served COMSATS Abbottabad for several years, has been superannuated. A farewell dinner was organized by the department to honor his services and contribution in strengthening the department. Dr. Shah was the one who initiated the Biotechnology program at CUI Abbottabad in 2009 which under his leadership and dedication achieved the status of department in 2019. Dr. Shah during his period has served as program head, as well as chairman of Biotechnology. He has been a determined, dedicated, and vigilant head who sailed the boat through thick and thin. The department is thankful for his contributions and wish him good luck for future endeavors.
Virtual University Students’ and Faculty Labs Visit
On Friday 2nd May, 2025, we were pleased to welcome a delegate comprising Dr. Ayesha and Dr. Qasim and the students from Virtual University Abbottabad Campus. The visit was planned as a part to acquaint their students with physical labs and research environment. Dr. Ghazal Khurshid along with Syed Irtiza (President Biotech society) and Aliyan Durani (Vice president Biotech society) welcomed the guests and had taken them for labs visit. The students visited all the existing labs including departmental as well as project labs and briefed them about the research domains and facilities within the department. The students were very enthusiastic to physically see different lab equipment and showed their interest in choosing biotechnology at CUI, Abbottabad at graduate level. After the labs visit, the guests met Professor. Dr. Jamshaid Hussain (Head), Dr. Abdul Rahman (Undergraduate Coordinator, BTY) and Dr. Shahid Masood Shah (Graduate Coordinator, BTY) who had an interactive session with the students and briefed them about our department.
Superannuation of Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maroof Shah superannuated on 29th April, 2025 from department of Biotechnology. He joined COMSATS Abbottabad in 2005 as Associate Professor and then promoted to professor in 2011. During his period in COMSATS, he served in different academic and administrative positions wherein his efforts towards improvement of CUI are remarkable. His major significant effort is in the establishment of Biotechnology as a program under the umbrella of department of Environmental Sciences in 2009 and then the independent department in 2019. He served as head of biotechnology program (2009 to 2019) and then chairman (2019 to 2024). On his last day an informal gathering was arranged by the department to bid him good luck for future endeavors. Prof. Dr. Jamshaid Hussain and Prof. Dr. Raza Ahmad acknowledged his contributions towards the betterment of the department. It was a sad moment to say goodbye to him but time flies and saying goodbyes are part of life. We, as the department, will remember him forever and wish to see him in better place.
Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC) visit for accreditation for Medical Laboratory Technology
In FA24 BS Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) was launched under the umbrella of department of Biotechnology. MLT is the healthcare branch which is being accredited from the Allied Health Professional Council (AHPC). Team comprising of three members namely Dr. Muhammad Arshad, Mr. Bilal Ahmad, Mr. Salman Ahmad visited COMSATS Abbottabad on 28th April, 2025 for zero visit to brief the department about accreditation procedure and associated documentation. A committee comprising Prof. Dr. Jamshaid Hussain (Head, department), Dr. Abdul Rahman, Dr. Imran Hussain, Dr. Basit Shah, and Dr. Ghazal Khurshid met the team and briefed them about the program vision, the scheme of studies, lab establishment for MLT and faculty requirement. The team visited the already established labs and then also met the worthy Prof. Dr. Shahid Khattak along with the committee. They were satisfied with the planned framework for the strengthening of MLT in CUI Abbottabad.
Students’ Week SPRING 2025 at Glance
Biotech society participated in the student week with great enthusiasm and set up the biotech camp wherein students had different stalls including food, bags, serums, oils, compost etc. The students under the leadership of Dr. Basit Shah Kaka Khail (Head, Biotech Society) arrange everything in a very organized way. It was a fun filled day and activity which all the students and faculty enjoyed.
Fairwell to Prof. Dr. Raza Ahmad for completing his tenure as Head, Department of Biotechnology
A lunch was set up by the department to acknowledge the contribution of Prof. Dr. Raza Ahamd as head, department of Biotechnology. He served for 2 and half years (2022 to 2024) and currently working as chairman of the department. During his tenure as head, his efforts in establishment of 2 new programs BS-Microbiology and BS-Medical Laboratory technology (MLT) are noteworthy. Prof. Dr. Jamshaid Hussain (Head, Department of Biotechnology) thanked Prof. Dr. Raza for his academic and administrative input in the department’s progress. Putting in, Dr. Rafique ahmad (associate Professor) also praised Dr. Raza working ethics as head and showed contentment towards his unbiased attitude towards faculty. Dean, faculty of health Sciences, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Maroof Shah was also present there and applauded Prof. Dr. Raza for his academic and administrative contribution within the department. The gathering ended with presenting a souvenir to Prof. Dr. Raza Ahmad as a token of appreciation.
National-level hybrid webinar on Computational Biology organized by the Industrial Biotechnology Research Group and Biotech Society of the Department of Biotechnology
A national-level hybrid webinar was organized by the Industrial Biotechnology Research Group and Biotech Society of the Department of Biotechnology, CUI, Abbottabad campus from 02 – 03 June 2021. The opening ceremony was chaired by the worthy Director, CUI, Abbottabad campus Prof. Dr. Imtiaz Ali Khan and included Chairman Biotechnology Dr. Mohammad Maroof Shah and HOD Biotechnology Dr. Amjad Hassan. The webinar focused on hands-on training about protein structure modeling, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation. Dr. Naeem Mehmood Ashraf, University of Gujrat was the resource person for this event. The proceedings of the webinar were moderated by Dr. Muhammad Ali from the Dpt. of Biotechnology, CUI, Abbottabad campus.
World Food Day held at CUI, Abbottabad Campus on 16th October 2019
World Food Day was celebrated on 16th October 2019 by Biotech society of Biotechnology Department at COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus on account of World food day. Chairman Prof. Dr. Maroof Shah and Head of Biotechnology Department Dr. Amjad Hassan emphasized on global world food problem and the role Biotechnology students can play to elevate hunger and malnutrition. Students made posters to highlight world food issues.
Symposium on Trends in Genomics held at CUI, Abbottabad Campus on 13-9-2019
A Symposium on Trends in Genomics was organized by the Department of Biotechnology in collaboration with the Genomics Society at COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus on Friday, 13th September 2019 at COMSATS University Islamabad Abbottabad Campus. Faculty, students from the host institution and guests from RMI, Peshawar, KMU, Peshawar, CECOS University and Islamia College University, Peshawar attended the symposium. Dr. Amjad Hassan, Head of Biotechnology, Dr. Ifitkhar Qayum, head of Genomics Society and Director RMI, Dr. Johar Ali, Head of Centre for Genomic Sciences, RMI and the only Pakistani scientist involved in Human Genome Project talked about cutting-edge Sequencing technology.
Workshop on Computational Biology January 16-18, 2019 at CUI Abbottabad Campus
Biotechnology Program of CUI, Abbottabad organized a three days workshop on computational biology from January 16 to January 18, 2019. Three resource persons namely, Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim from CUI, Sahiwal, Dr. Naeem Mahmood Ashraf from UoG, Gujrat, and Mr. Haseeb Ahmad from CUI, Islamabad, delivered lectures on comparative genomics, protein ligand docking and biological databases.
