What is your educational background?
I graduated with Bachelor of Science (Honors) in Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University, India. I continued there to obtain Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Biochemistry, Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Biochemistry and Doctoral of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biochemistry degrees, all from Aligarh Muslim University, India. The M. Phil. and Ph.D. thesis work was done in the area of biological membranes at the National Centre for Toxicological Research, Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (Government of India), Lucknow, India. After completing my Ph.D. degree, I was awarded a Commonwealth and then a Welcome Trust Fellowship to work at the Medical Research Council lab, National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom. My research in UK comprised of
understanding molecular signaling mechanisms that regulate various intracellular processes. I then moved to the United States and obtained postdoctoral training from such institutes as National Institute of Health and Yale University, besides others, before joining the UA Little Rock. My research at the UA Little Rock continued studying signal transduction and intracellular signaling mechanisms regulating cellular processes with emphasis on programmed cell death (apoptosis) as this process is applicable to understanding carcinogenesis and prevention and treatment of cancer.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
My proudest accomplishment has been my publication on the discovery of an enzyme
involved in cellular signaling mechanisms present in endoplasmic reticulum, an organelle
found all higher organisms. This enzyme has potential in regulating carcinogenesis. While at
the UA Little Rock, my proudest accomplishment is graduating nine PhD and five master’s
students and publishing many peer-reviewed research papers, review articles and book
chapters involving graduate as well as undergraduate students.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include reading, writing and reciting Urdu poetry from time to time. I enjoy
listening to Indian music and spend time with the family and friends and travel on occasions.
What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was “The Kite Runner” published in 2003 by Khaled Hosseini, an
Afghan American author.
How do you assist graduate students in the biology program?
I serve as a graduate coordinator for the MA/MS in Biology and Ph.D. in Applied Biosciences program of the biology department. So, I get firsthand information about the prospective students as well as those who join our graduate program. I communicate with them and discuss their interests and goals and tell them about the richness of our program in terms of learning, training and career opportunities in a positive way to encourage them to apply for the program of their interest. The biology graduate program is very diverse ranging from field biology to molecular and cell biology both in plants and animal research. So, understanding students’ needs and guiding them appropriately is an important task. I help the graduate students with their application and admission process and with graduate assistantships on a competitive basis. Once they join our program, I meet with them individually to understand their future endeavors. Accordingly, I advise them for appropriate coursework and orient them about their plan of study. I also assist them in finding an appropriate advisor with whom they can pursue their research work on a mutual basis and in their field on interest. I always want the students to feel at home in the biology department and comfortable talking with me when necessary. I regularly meet with them, provide guidance about the program, internship and job opportunities and keep up with their progress through graduation.
