Lahore (23rd August 2026): The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) International Chapter, University of the Punjab (PU ASM Student Chapter), in collaboration with the Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (IMMG), University of the Punjab, successfully held its summer webinar, entitled “How to Select the Research Topic,” on 23rd August 2026. The session focused on guiding students through the process of choosing a research topic, finding relevant literature, and reading and understanding research papers in Life Sciences. The webinar drew an enthusiastic response, with 102 participants joining online from across the country.

Prof. Dr. Imran Sajid, Professor at the Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics (IMMG), University of the Punjab, and a Fulbright fellow specializing in natural products and drug discovery, led the core session.

He explained how a broad area of interest develops into a research problem, question, objectives, and complete project. He highlighted common mistakes in topic selection, including choosing topics that are too broad, overstudied, driven by available equipment or supervisor preference, or lacking clear questions, measurable outcomes, feasibility, data access, or ethical considerations. He introduced the FINER criteria (Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, Relevant) for evaluating research topics and discussed how good topics can emerge from literature, societal problems, prior research, personal observations, and emerging technologies. He also emphasized the difference between a topic being merely “interesting” and being genuinely “important,” and advised students to avoid overly complex titles, stressing that a good title should be simple, clear, and easily understood.

Prof. Dr. Shafiq Ur Rehman, Professor at the University of the Punjab and founder of Phage Lab at IMMG, urged students to choose research topics that are application-oriented and directly relevant to pressing real-world challenges, rather than purely academic exercises. He encouraged participants to keep their future objectives in mind whether pursuing industry, academia, or opportunities abroad and to align their research direction accordingly.

Prof. Dr. Muhammad Nawaz, Tenured Professor at the Institute of Microbiology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, whose research spans medical microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, probiotics, and zoonotic diseases, highlighted that the process of selecting a research topic differs at each academic level (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD) since the purpose of research itself changes at each stage. He emphasized that the topic itself is often less important than the journey of arriving at it, and that observation is the key to unlocking research potential in one’s surroundings, including from an Islamic perspective. He stressed the need to cultivate an environment that encourages researchers to ask questions, as this ultimately sharpens their thinking and allows them to engage more fully with the scientific process.

Dr. Aftab Ahmad Chattha, CEO of Chattha Bio Care at the National Science and Technology Park (NSTP), NUST, and a postdoctoral researcher in tissue engineering from NAIST, Japan, speaking from an industry perspective, noted that innovation remains limited in Pakistan and urged students to draw motivation from the everyday problems facing the country. He emphasized that genuine interest in a topic is the most important factor in selecting one, as it becomes a researcher’s strongest source of motivation throughout the research journey.

Dr. Komal Yasmin Malik, Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Babraham Institute, University of Cambridge, whose work focuses on epigenetic gene regulation and cell fate during early human development, encouraged students to first reflect on why they entered science in the first place, noting that genuine interest can make any pursuit worthwhile. She advised participants to identify their core interest within science and build their research around it, underscoring the importance of an extensive literature review before beginning any research. She also highlighted the value of translational research as an added dimension that strengthens the impact of a project.

Tehmeena Akhter, Research Fellow at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and PhD scholar at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, whose research focuses on human genetics and the molecular biology of neurological disorders, encouraged students to focus on problems that are locally relevant, such as diseases that are prevalent in Pakistan given the high rate of consanguineous marriages. She advised participants to stay attentive throughout such sessions and carefully analyze what speakers share, as this reflection can help them identify the right research direction for themselves.

The webinar concluded with an engaging question and answer session, where panelists addressed queries from students regarding the practical challenges of identifying and refining research topics. The session was widely appreciated by attendees for offering clear, actionable guidance on a subject that is often a source of confusion for early-career researchers.

This webinar marks the beginning of a planned series of learning sessions by the ASM International Student Chapter University of the Punjab, aimed at strengthening the research and scientific communication skills of students and researchers at the Institute of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, and beyond. The event reflects the chapter’s continued commitment to fostering a strong research culture and mentoring the next generation of microbiologists and life scientists.