Education
MPhil in Biotechnology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
B.S. Biotechnology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Research Interest
Population genetics, Genome evolution, Conservational Biology.
To protect biodiversity, and to make effective conservation strategies, it is crucial to study the population genomics of fish species. My research focuses on the population structure and genetic diversity of Glyptothorax species, a fascinating group of catfish in the Asian freshwater ecosystem. It is the most species-rich and widely distributed genus in the family with new species being discovered regularly. Being the most diverse group, it possesses challenges in its identification. By implying molecular tools these cryptic species can be differentiated. Moreover, many species within this genus are threatened and it is paramount to conserve their genetic material. So, I aim to resolve the taxonomic ambiguities on a molecular basis and to contribute to the field of genome and population genetics by exploring the biology, biogeographic affinities, and conservation of these species.
Work Experience
-
Research Assistant:
Department of Biotechnology, University of Sargodha, Pakistan
NRPU funded project entitled “Use of DNA barcoding and molecular markers for identification of fishes from Pakistan”
Sample Collection from the whole country
Taxonomic and molecular-based identification of Fish
Utilized a variety of Bioinformatics tools and software to perform Sequence analysis of Fish
Preparation of annual reports, grants, and manuscripts
-
Intern
Ayub Biotechnology Research Institute (ABRI), Faisalabad, Pakistan
Virus detection through strips
Molecular cloning
Development of recombinant constructs
ELISA (Qualitative and Quantitative)
GMO testing
Double haploid production
Publications
- Raza, M., Khan, A. M., Khan, A. A., Bukhari, S. A. R., Panhwar, S. K., & Ashfaq, M. (2025). Genetic diversity of nearly threatened and vulnerable species of Serranidae fish family from the coastal area of Pakistan. Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, 18(4), 798-806.
- Liaqat, N., Yang, H., Li, X., Khan, N., Hassona, N. N., Raza, M., & Dai, X. (2025). Comprehensive tissue-specific responses to chronic hypoxia in Macrobrachium rosenbergii: A multi-omics perspective. Aquaculture, 743526.
- Sial, B., Naveed, S., Khan, A. M., Raza, M., Khan, A. A., Panhwar, S. K., & Ashfaq, M. (2025). DNA barcoding and genetic diversity of threadfin breams (Nemipteridae): Unravel the cryptic species from the northern Arabian Sea. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 24(5), 1127-1139.
- Hayat, M., Bukhari, S. A. R., Liu, Z., Raza, M., & Ahsan, A. (2025). Harnessing whey protein nanobiomaterials for tissue regeneration and cancer therapy: A comprehensive guide to recent innovations. Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.
- Thapa, G. B., Singh, D., Raza, M., Rajbanshi, D., & Khalid, M. S. (2025). Correlates of Ichthyofaunal Diversity With Relation to Environmental Variables of Badigad River, Nepal. International Journal of Zoology, 2025(1), 3898768.
- Hayat, M., Bukhari, S. A. R., Raza, M., Aslam, A., & Liu, Z. (2025). Nanostructured aptasensors for ricin detection and tumor therapy: exploring aptamer-protein interactions and conformational stability in biological complexities. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 143282.
- Khan, A. M., Sial, B., Khan, A. A., Hanif, M. K., Raza, M., Panhwar, S. K., & Ashfaq, M. (2024). Genetic Diversity and DNA Barcoding of Cyprinidae Habiting Lotic and Lentic Ecosystem of Pakistan. Pak. J. Agri. Sci, 61(2), 463-474.
- Sial, B., Khan, A.M., Raza, M*., Khan, A.A., Bukhari, S.A.R. Hanif, M.K., Panhwar, S.K., Ashfaq, M., 2024. Northern Arabian Sea: Rare fish diversity and biogeographic affinities. Punjab Univ. J. Zool., 39(2): 191-212. https://dx.doi.org/10.17582/journal.pujz/2024/39.2.191.212
The Lab of Molecular Systematics and Ecology