Department of Biotechnology

Mahwish Aftab
Mahwish Aftab

Assistant Professor
Department of Biotechnology
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Experience

 

Date

Title

Institute

July 2019-to date

Assistant Professor

Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore

January 2013-June 2019

Lecturer

Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore

July 2012- January 2013

Lecturer (Biology )

Government Fatima Jinnah College for Women, Lahore

August 2008-Febuary 2009

Research Assistant

Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), Lahore

Honor and Awards

  • IRSIP award (2017)Six month foreign research fellowship awarded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan
  • Research Incentive Award (2016 & 2017), LCWU
  • HEC Indigenous Scholarship (2015) Indigenous scholarship (Phase II, Batch III) for PhD Program awarded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan 
  • Gold Medal in MPhil (2012) 1st position in MPhil Molecular Biology from Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab
  • Gold Medal in BS (2010) 1st position in BS (Hons.) from Department of Zoology, University of the Punjab
  • Merit Scholarship Award (2004 – 2008) Recipient of Merit Scholarship awarded by University of the Punjab during four years of graduation

Memberships

  • Society for Promotion of Science and Technology
  • Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Society of Pakistan

Graduate Students/Postdocs/Undergraduate

Students/Honour Students

Year

Degree

Name

2016

M.Sc.

Sonia Imran

2016

BS

Rida Shabbir

2016

BS

Munaza Kausar

2016

BS

Bakhtawar Sarwar

2015

BS

Anila Ramzan

2015

BS

Ifrah Khalid

2015

BS

Ifrah Rafaqat

2015

BS

Rasham Waqar

2015

BS

Summaiya  Khalid

2014

BS

Maliha Abbas

2014

BS

Rabia Sumreen

2014

BS

Beenish Hassan

2014

BS

Amna Akram

2014

BS

Toheeda Tabassum

2014

BS

Maryam Ghias

2014

MS

Nida Asghar

2014

MS

Sidra Naveed

2014

MS

Ayesha Qasim

Service Activity

  • Teaching courses
  • Facilitator Active Citizen Program
  • Member Purchase committee
  • Member BS Admission committee
  • Member PhD Admission committee
  • Coordinator BS Program

Brief Statement of Research Interest

  • Virology/Infectious Diseases/Molecular Biology
  • Health Biotechnology

Publications

IMPACT FACTOR PUBLICATIONS 
  • Mahwish Aftab, Shagufta Naz, Beenish Aftab, Amjad Ali, Shazia Rafique, Zareen Fatima, Inamullah, Muhammad Idrees. 2019. Characterization of Hepatitis Delta Virus among pregnant women of Pakistan. Viral Immunology, doi: 10.1089/vim.2019.0048. (IF 1.417)
  • Mahwish Aftab, Iram Amin, Muhammad Idrees, Amjad Ali, Shazia Rafique, Shagufta Naz. 2018. Molecular epidemiology of hepatitis delta and hepatitis B viruses circulating in two major provinces (East and North-West) of Pakistan. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 64: 65-69. (IF 2.545)
  • Roheena Abdullah, Nabiha Naeem, Mahwish Aftab, Afshan Kaleem, Mehwish Iqtedar, Tehreema Iftikhar and Shagufta Naz.2018. Enhanced production of alpha amylase by exploiting novel bacterial co-culture technique employing solid state fermentation. Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions A: Science, 42: 305-318 (IF 0.75).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Hina Qaiser, Adeen Farooq, Afshan Kaleem, Mehwish Iqtedar, Mahwish Aftab, Shagufta Naz. 2017. Evaluation of microbial potential and ripening behavoiur of preclimacteric bananas following gamma irradiation. Bioscience Journal,  33 (1) : 57-65 ( IF 0.25).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Maryam Suman, Shagufta Naz , Mehwish Iqtedar Afshan Kaleem and  Mahwish Aftab. 2017. Evaluation of microbial potential, sensory and nutritional quality of mangoes following gamma irradiation. Progress in Nutrition, 19 (4): 473-483   (IF 0.3).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Maryam Akbar, Hina Qaiser, Adeen Farooq, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Targeting the residential microflora to enhance the mean life of raw Lycopersicum esculentum by gamma Irradiation. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 9(1): 265-271(IF  073).
  • Mehwish Iqtedar, Uzma Sarwar, Roheena Abdullah, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab, Shagufta Naz, Fakhar-un Nisa, Saima Sharif, Saima Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Increasing shelf life of Pakistani peaches using gamma irradiation to overcome quarantine barriers in fruit exports from Pakistan. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 9(1): 313-318 (IF 0.073).
  • Afshan Kaleem, Farhana Munir, Mehwish Iqtedar, Roheena Abdullah, Fakhar-un-Nisa, Irfana Iqbal, Faiza Saleem, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Genetic analysis of gene responsive to Tuberculosis in under developing areas of Pakistan Journal of  Pure and Applied Microbiology, 9(1): 319-325 (IF 0.073).
  • Beenish Aftab, Muhammad Naveed Shahid, Sania Riaz, Adil Jamal, Bahaeldeen Babiker Mohamed, Muzna Zahur, Mahwish Aftab, Bushra Rashid, Tayyab Husnain. 2014. Identification and expression profiling of CLCuV-responsive transcripts in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Turkish Journal of Biology, 38: 226-237. (IF 1.343)
  • Badar S, Khubaib B, Idrees M, Hussain A, Awan Z, Butt S, Afzal S, Akram M, Fatima Z, Aftab M, Saleem S, Munir S, Rauff B, Naudhani M, Ali L, Ali M, Rehman I. 2012. Association of Hepatitis C Virus With Insulin Resistance: Evidences From Animal Studies and Clinical Studies. Hepatitis Monthly. 12(1): 11–15. (IF 2.190)
  • Fatima Z, Idrees M, Bajwa MA, Tahir Z, Ullah O, Zia MQ , Hussain A , Akram M, Khubaib B, Afzal S, Munir S, Saleem S, Rauff B, Badar S, Naudhani M, Butt S, Aftab M, Ali L  and Ali M. 2011. Serotype and genotype analysis of Dengue Virus by Sequencing followed by Phylogenetic analysis using samples from three mini outbreaks-2007-2009 in Pakistan. BMC Microbiology, 11:200 (IF 2.96)
  • Akram M, Idrees M, Hussain A, Afzal S, Ilyas M, Zafar S, Aftab M, Badar S, Khubaib B. 2011. Characterization of Hepatitis C Virus genotype 3a Hypervariable region 1 in patients achieved rapid virological response to alpha interferon and Ribavirin Combination therapy. Virology Journal, 8:253 (IF 2.55)
  • Munir S, Saleem S, Idrees M, Tariq A, Butt S, Rauff B, Hussain A, Badar S, Naudhani M, Fatima Z, Ali M, Ali L, Akram M, Aftab M, Khubaib B, Awan Z. 2010. Hepatitis C Treatment: current and future perspectives. Virology Journal, 7:296 (IF 2.55)
  • Afzal S, Idrees M, Akram M, Awan Z, Khubaib B, Aftab M, Fatima Z, Badar S, Hussain A. 2010. Mutations in the E2-PePHD region of hepatitis C virus genotype-3a and correlation with response to interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in Pakistani patients. Virology Journal, 7:377 (IF 2.55)
  • Idrees M, Rafique S, Rehman I, Akbar H, Yousaf MZ, Butt S, Awan Z, Manzoor S, Akram M, Aftab M, Khubaib B, Riazuddin S. 2009. Hepatitis C virus genotype 3a infection and hepatocellular carcinoma: Pakistan experience. World J Gastroenterol, 15(40): 5080-5085 (IF 2.24)
  • Idrees M, Butt S, Awan Z, Aftab M, Khubaib B, Rehman I, Akram M, Manzoor S, Akbar H, Rafique S, Riazuddin S. 2009. Nucleotide identity and variability among different Pakistani hepatitis C virus isolates. Virology Journal, 6:130 (IF 2.55) 
ISI INDEXED PUBLICATIONS
  • Mehwish Iqtedar, Hafsa Amjad, Uzma Sarwar, Rabab Asim, Afshan Kaleem, Roheena Abdullah, Mahwish Aftab, Tehreema Iftikhar and Shagufta Naz. 2016. Effect of 60Co gamma radiation on microbial flora and shelf life of Malus domestica Borkh International Journal of Biosciences, 9 (3): 47-52 (ISI Indexed).
  • Mahwish Aftab, Ifrah Rafaqat, Faiza Saleem, Beenish Aftab, Roheena Abdullah, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Tehreema Iftikhar and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Enhancement of shelf life and wholesomeness of goat meat by gamma irradiation treatment. International Journal of Biosciences, 7 (4):177-185 (ISI Indexed).
  • Mahwish Aftab, Summiya Khalid, Faiza Saleem, Roheena Abdullah, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Beenish Aftab, Shagufta Naz. 2015. Evaluation of nutritional content and shelf life enhancement of gamma irradiated broiler chicken meat International Journal of Biosciences, 7 (5) 1-8 (ISI Indexed).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Tayyaba Rafique, Afshan Kaleem, Mehwish Iqtedar, Mahwish Aftab, Tehreema Iftikhar, Faiza Saleem and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Minimization of residential microbial flora on spinach leaves using cobalt 60 to enhance its export potential. International Journal of Biosciences,  7: ( 2) 127-134 (ISI Indexed).
  • Tehreema Iftikhar, Roheena Abdullah, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab, Mubashir Niaz, Sidra, Bushra, Tabassum and Hammad Majeed. 2015. Production of lipases by Alternaria sp. (mbl 2810) through optimization of environmental conditions using submerged fermentation technique. International Journal of Biosciences, 7 (2):  178-186 (ISI Indexed).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Mahrukh Zubair, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab, Faiza Saleem and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Effect of gamma irradiation on sensory quality and microbial control of table grapes (Sundar Khani Grapes). International Journal of Biosciences, 7 (4): 57-67 (ISI Indexed).
  • Afshan Kaleem, Asma Tanveer, Irfana Iqbal, Moneeza Abbas, Roheena Abdullah, Mehwish Iqtedar, Mahwish Aftab, Tehreema Iftikhar and Shagufta Naz. 2015.The effect of packaging and storage of vitamin-C in fresh andcommercial orange juices. International Journal of Biosciences, 7 (4): 22-30 (ISI Indexed).
  • Akbar H, Idrees M, Manzoor S, Rehman I, Butt S, Yousaf MZ, Rafique S, Awan Z, Khubaib B, Akram M, Aftab M. 2009. Hepatitis C virus infection: A review of the current and future aspects and concerns in Pakistan. Journal of General and Molecular Virology, 1(2): 012-018.
 
PUBLICATIONS IN HEC RECOGNIZED JOURNALS
  • Mahwish Aftab, Amna Akram , Roheena Abdullah, Afshan Kaleem, Mehwish Iqtedar, Beenish Aftab, Faiza Saleem and Shagufta Naz. 2016. Gamma irradiation of disposable syringes using cobalt-60 source.  Fuuast Journal of Biology, 48 (4): 935-940 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Mehwish Iqtedar, Samra Kiran, Uzma Sarwar, Roheena Abdullah, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2016. Effect of Co60 gamma radiation on shelf life of pakistani mangoes evaluated through sensory and microbial analysis. Fuuast Journal of Biology,  6(1): 121-125 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Afshan Kaleem, Humaira Nazir, Samra Pervaiz, Mehwish Iqtedar, Roheena Abdullah, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2016.  Investigation of the effect of temperature on vitamin C in fresh and packed fruit juices. Fuuast Journal of Biology,   6(1):117-120 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Naila Bashir, Mehwish Iqtedar , Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab   and Shagufta Naz. 2016. Reduction of microbial flora to prolong the shelf life of Cucumis sativus through gamma irradiation. Sindh Research Journal, 48 (4): 935-940 (HEC recognized X category).
  • Roheena Abdullah, Uneeb Athar, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Reduction of microflora and frequency of sprouting in gamma irradiated potatoes. Fuuast Journal of Biology, 5(2): 213-217 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Afshan Kaleem, Sana Aziz, Mehwish Iqtedar, Roheena Abdullah, Mahwish Aftab, Farzana Rashid, Farah Rauf Shakoor and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Investigating changes and effect of peroxide values in cooking oils subject to light and heat. Fuuast Journal of Biology, 5(2): 191-196 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Mehwish Iqtedar, Iqra Arif, Afshan Kaleem, Roheena Abdullah, Mahwish Aftab and Shagufta Naz. 2015. Effects of low Co60 gamma radiation on microbial flora and shelf life of peanuts. Fuuast Journal of Biology, 5(2): 219-224 (HEC recognized Y category).
  • Faiza Saleem, Noshaba Rani, Farah Rauf Shakoori, Mahwish Aftab, Roheena Abdullah, Mehwish Iqtedar, Afshan Kaleem, Shagufta Naz. 2015. Effect of gamma irradiation on microbial load of sheep meat. Fuuast Journal of Biology, 5(2): 257-261 (HEC recognized Y category).

Other Research or Creative Accomplishments

Patents Filed
  1. 222/2015: Roheena Abdullah, Dr. Mehwish Iqtedar, Dr. Afshan Kaleem, Ms. Mahwish Aftab, Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz, Lahore-Pakistan “optimization for post-Harvest preservation of mango (Chaunsa) in Pakistan employing gamma radiations. (Listed date : 21-4-2015).
  2. 223/2015: Mahwish Aftab, Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz, Dr. Roheena Abdullah, Dr.Afshan Kaleem, Dr. Mehwish Iqtedar Lahore-Pakistan “A process for the removal of microbial load from the surface of surgical gloves used in Pakistan by gamma radiation” (Listed date : 21-4-2015).
  3. 516/2015: Mehwish Iqtedar, Dr. Roheena Abdullah, Dr. Afshan Kaleem, Dr. Tehreema Iftikhar, Ms. Mahwish Aftab, Prof. Dr. Shagufta Naz “An improved process for bioethanol productionby the mutant Saccharomyces cerevisiae KM 11strain”(Listed date: 12-8-2015).

Selected Professional Presentations

PARTICIPATION IN CONFERENCES, SIMINARS, WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS:

  • “Basic Bioinformatics Tools for Functional Genomics” July 5, 2019, Department of Biological Sciences, UVAS, Ravi Campus, Pattoki.
  • Organized and participated in “Symposium and Model Competition on Biotechnology Insight 2019” April 4, 2019. Biotechnology Department, LCWU.
  • New Trends in Natural Sciences II: Public Health, Food Nutrition & Safety” October 24-26, 2018, Department of Biotechnology and Zoology, LCWU.
  • “A Mendeley Presentation Hosted by Mendeley Advisor” December 9, 2017.
  • “International Conference on New Trends in Natural Sciences: From Basic to Applied” October 25-27, 2017, Department of Biotechnology and Zoology, LCWU.
  • Organized and participated in “International Symposium on Recent Trends in Biotechnology” March 30, 2017, LCWU, Lahore
  • Organized and participated in “International Workshop on Cancer and Proteomics” November 8-10, 2016. LCWU, Lahore.
  • Oral presentation in “2nd International Conference on Biotechnology: Challenges and opportunities in Pakistan” February 24-25, 2016. Held at University of South Asia, Lahore
  • “Nanoscience and Nanotechnology” August 27, 2015. Held at GC University Lahore.
  • “Biosafety and Biosecurity” 18 – 19 August, 2015. Held at Zoology Department, LCWU.
  • 2 Credit Hour course on “Leadership Skills for Educators”. 18 May 2015 till 22 June 2015. Organized by DFDI, Lahore College for Women University.
  • “An Introduction to Next Generation Sequencing and its Application in Agricultural Sciences”. April 14, 2015. Institute of Agricultural Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore.
  • 3 Credit Hour course on “Critical Thinking and Reflective Pedagogy”. 9 February 2015 till 2 April 2015. Organized by DFDI, Lahore College for Women University.
  • Course on “Academic Writing for Publication”. March 4-6, 2015. DFDI, Lahore College for Women University.
  • “Halal Awareness course”. December 10, 2014. Held at PARAS, ATCOP.
  • Oral presentation in Conference on “Defeating the Public Enemy, The Mosquito: A Real Challenge”. December 3-4, 2014. Organized by Dengue Prevention and Control Cell, LCWU, Lahore and INSPIRE-Transnational Education Partnership Program.
  • Oral presentation in “2nd International conference on Biotechnology for Sustainable Development”. November 26-28, 2014. Institute of industrial Biotechnology, GC University, Lahore.
  • “1st International Conference on Forensic Science & Justice”. October 22-24, 2014. Department of Chemistry, GC University, Lahore.
  • “Active Citizen Training of Facilitators”. Organized by British Council and LCWU. September 2-5, 2014.
  • Organized and Participated in Workshop on “The Awareness of Emerging Issues of Cancers in Pakistan”. Organized by Department of Biotechnology, LCWU. May6, 2014.
  • Organized and Participated in 2nd Women Inter Collegiate and University Science Symposium and Model/Poster Competition on “The Revolution of Biotechnology”. Organized by Department of Biotechnology, LCWU. April 18, 2014.
  • Workshop on “Molecular Diagnostics for Robust Disease Detection” conducted by Dr. Summaira Riaz, organized by DFDI, LCWU. October 7-24, 2013.
  • Organized and participated in Seminar on “Awareness of Emerging Issues of Cancers in Pakistan” on November 21, 2013.
  • Workshop on “Teaching by the Case Study Methods” organized by Quality enhancement cell (QEC), LCWU. May 27-29, 2013.
  • Seminar on “How favourable and fast are the enzymic reaction?” by Professor M. Akhtar FRS (Fellow of Royal Society) on Thursday April 11, 2013, at the Department of Biotechnology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore.
  • Workshop on “Advances in Scientific Research Methodology and Ethics” conducted by Dr. Naila Rabbani Associate Professor, Warwick Medical School, The University of Warwick, Organized by Directorate of Faculty Development & Internationalization, LCWU. April 1-5, 2013.
  • Work shop on High performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) held on March 30th, 2013 organized by Department of SPS Punjab University, Lahore
  • Seminar on “Endnote: A tool in effective scientific writing” by Mr. Mohsin Raza on 21st in Biotechnology Department, LCWU
  • 1st Women Inter Collegiate and University Science Model and poster competition on Impact of Biotechnology in today’s world, organized by Department of Biotechnology, LCWU, Lahore. March 12th, 2013.
  • “Forensic DNA Typing” by Dr. Zahoor Ahmed on 7th March, 2013, LCWU.
  • “Climate Change: Issues and stratagies” from 4-8th March, 2013 at LCWU.
  • “IPR, patents and patenting” training workshop conducted by Barristor Ahmad Farooq Malik, organized by Office of Research Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), LCWU, February 22, 2013.
  • 11th Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Symposium. November 9-11, 2012. Held at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.
  • Workshop on Quantitative Data Analysis using SPSS. September 29, 2012. Held at University of the Punjab, Lahore
  • “Sixth Annual Conference on Infectious Diseases”. April 04, 2009.
  • “26th Pakistan Congress of Zoology (International)”. University of The Punjab, Lahore. April 4-6, 2006.