Muhammad Sajjad, Ph.D., specializing in Biological Sciences, has over 13 years of professional experience. He has a strong academic background and significant teaching and research experience in the fields of biochemistry, and biotechnology. Dr. Sajjad did his Masters in Biochemistry with distinction from University of the Punjab, Lahore in 2005 and then joined School of Biological Sciences for his M.Phil. leading to Ph.D. in Biological Sciences that was completed in 2014. He started his professional career as Lecturer (Biochemistry) in 2012 from the University of Lahore. He moved to National University of Science and Technology in April 2014 for his Postdoctoral training of 1.5 years in an ICARDA funded project. Before joining the School of Biological Sciences in November 2019 as Assistant Professor on TTS, Dr. Sajjad also served as Assistant Professor in University of Sargodha (2015-2016) and the University of Lahore (2016-2019). He also served as Departmental Incharge of the Department of Biotechnology at the University of Sargodha for 07 months (Feb - Aug 2016) and Incharge (Store and Purchases) at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology University of Lahore from Mar 2018 - June 2019). Since July 2024 he is also working as Treasurer of PSBMB. He has also the responsibility of Departmental Focal Person of the Office of Research, Innovation and Commercialization (ORIC), University of the Punjab, Lahore since 2023.
Dr. Sajjad's research focuses on protein engineering, enzyme characterization and the production of microbial enzymes for industrial applications with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices and innovative solutions. His work mainly aims at exploring the structural and functional aspects of enzymes and to enhance stability and efficiency of enzymes like amylases, cellulases, pectinases for applications in juice processing and lipases for edible oil degumming. He has successfully secured funding for various research projects, both completed and ongoing, demonstrating his capability as a principal investigator. Ongoing HEC funded projects in which Dr. Sajjad is a co-PI include protease production for eco-friendly leather processing, with a budget of 5.5 million rupees and a recently funded project, designing and evaluation of vaccine candidates against dengue virus infection with a budget of 19 million rupees. His completed HEC-funded projects include a protein engineering-based COVID-19 diagnostic method with a budget of 13 million rupees and engineering of cellulolytic enzymes of 0.5 million rupees.
Dr. Sajjad has an extensive research contribution with a total of 55 research papers in peer-reviewed journals with a cumulative WoS-impact factor of 145, 02 book chapters and 03 submitted patents, which are under review. He is also actively involved in presenting the research and participating in various academic conferences, symposia and seminars. He has also taken on significant roles in organizing academic events including conferences and as a resource person in workshops on recombinant protein production, protein purification and characterization. He is also serving on editorial boards of HEC-recognized peer-reviewed journals as well as a reviewer of several impact factors journals, contributing to the advancement of scientific research and education.
He has supervised numerous graduate and postgraduate students, contributing to their academic and research development. This includes 1 post-doctorate, 4 Ph.D. candidates, 35 M.Phil. and 19 M.Sc./BS students who have received degrees. Currently, 5 Ph.D. and 4 M.Phil. students are working on various projects in his laboratory.
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