Professional Experience

June 2024 - to date
Incharge for the Department of Bioinformatics
Fatima Jinnah Women University

December 2018 - to date
Assistant Professor (BPS-19) in the Department of Biotechnology
Fatima Jinnah Women University

April 2014 - December 2018
Assistant Professor (BPS-19) in the Department of Environmental Sciences
Fatima Jinnah Women University

January 2013 - January 2014
IPFP fellow in Department of Environmental Sciences
Fatima Jinnah Women University

PUBLICATIONS/CONFERENCES

1.      Sabir A, Safdar N, Akhtar W, Fatima I, Chaudhry G-S (2025). Therapeutic potential of Fabaceae species: A phytochemical and bioactivity investigation. Ars Pharmaceutica . June 20, 2025. 66(3):301-313. Category X

 

2.      Fatima I, Safdar N, Kalsoom R, Akhtar W, Akmal S, Chaudhry G-S (2025). Extracts of Albizia julibrissin and Caesalpinia decapetala induce potential enzyme inhibition and cell growth through anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-lipase, anti-glycation, and cytotoxicity activities. Ars Pharmaceutica. 66(3):349-60.  Category X

 

3.      Safdar N, Perveen N, Fatima S, Chaudhry GS (2024) Stigmasterol expedites ester production in Trigonella foenum-graecum L: In vivo and in vitro propagates. Trends in Phytochemical Research. 2 (4), 203-209. Category X in HJRS

 

4.      Chaudhry GS, Zeenia, Safdar N, Begum S, Akim AM, Sung YY (2024) Cytotoxicity assays for cancer drug screening: methodological insights and considerations for reliable assessment in drug discovery. Brazilian Journal of Biology 84, e284409 Category X in HJRS

 

5.       Ul Ain N, Safdar N and Yasmin A (2024). Derivation of copolymer hydrogel from Salvia hispanica mucilage and its utilization in adsorption of Reactive Black‑5. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. IF 3.0 Category W

 

6.       Iram Fatima, Naila Safdar, Wasim Akhtar, Asma Ayaz, Sajid Ali (2024) Green solvent-based extraction of three Fabaceae species: A potential antioxidant, anti-diabetic, and anti-leishmanial agents, Heliyon, 10 (13) IF- 3.4 Category W

 

7.       Perveen, S., Padula, M. P., Safdar, N., & Abbas, S. (2024). Functional annotation of proteins in Catharanthus roseus shoot cultures under biogenic zinc nanotreatment. Plant Molecular Biology, 114(26), 1-17. IF- 5.3   Category W

 

8.       Kazmi, Z., Safdar, N., Batool, Z., Malik, S. S., Yasmin, A., Razzak, Z. A., & Simjee, S. U. (2024). Comparative anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, and chromatographic screening of bioactive compounds in selected medicinal plants: extraction system effects. Pakistan Journal of Botany 56(1), 247-258. IF- 1.2  Category X

 

9.       Rauf, S., & Safdar, N. (2023). Sustainable fabrication of biogenic Fe–Zn nano core-shell and their photocatalytic efficiency against third generation antibiotics. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 1-11. IF- 4.6  Category W

 

10.   Bibi, M., Yasmin, A., Blanford, C., & Safdar, N. (2023). Production and characterization of a highly stable laccase from extreme thermophile Geobacillus stearothermophilus MB600 isolated from hot spring of Gilgit Balitistan (Pakistan). Journal of Taibah University for Science, 17(1), 1-14. IF- 3.3  Category X

 

11.   Fatima, I., Safdar, N., Akhtar, W., Munir, A., Saqib, S., Ayaz, A., & Zaman, W. (2023). Evaluation of potential inhibitory effects on acetylcholinesterase, pancreatic lipase, and cancer cell lines using raw leaves extracts of three fabaceae species. Heliyon. 1-8. IF- 4.0 Category W

 

12.   Fatima, A., Safdar, N., Ain, N. U., Yasmin, A., & Chaudhry, G.S. (2023). Abscisic Acid-Loaded ZnO Nanoparticles as Drought Tolerance Inducers in Zea mays L. with Physiological and Biochemical Attributes. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 1-14. IF- 4.8 Category W

 

13.   Saleem, F., Safdar, N., Fatima, I., Yasmin, A., & Hussain, W (2023). Functionalization of ampicillin and gentamicin with biogenic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) remodel antimicrobial and cytotoxic outcome against MDR clinical isolates. Archives of Microbiology, 205(3), 88.   IF- 2.8 Category X

 

14.   Batool, H., Fatima, I., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A (2023). Elicitors mediated bio-preservative potential targeting seedless fruits using Capsicum annuum L.(Solanaceae) and Foeniculum vulgare Mill.(Apiaceae) calli extracts. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 45(1), 19.  IF-2.9 Category W

 

15.   Sadaf, H. M., Bibi, Y., Ayoubi, S. A., Safdar, N., Sher, A., Habib, D. & Qayyum, A. (2022). Extraction, Separation and Purification of Bioactive Anticancer Components from Peganum harmala against Six Cancer Cell Lines Using Spectroscopic Techniques. Separations, 9(11), 355. IF-2.6 Category W

16.   Akim, A. M., Safdar, N., Yasmin, A., Sung, Y. Y., & Muhammad, T. S. T. (2022). Cancer and disease diagnosis-Biosensor as potential diagnostic tool for biomarker detection. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 13(4), 243.  IF: 1.4

17.   Perveen, S., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A. (2022). DAT and PRX1 gene expression modulates vincristine production in Catharanthus roseus L. propagates using Cu, Fe and Zn nano structures. Plant Science, ISSN: 0168-9452, 1873-2259    IF: 5.2 / W Category

18.   Nadeem, A., Fatima, I., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A. (2022). Customized heating treatments variably affect the biological activities and chemical compositions of three indigenous culinary herbs. Journal of Taibah University for Science, 16(1), 120-129. ISSN: 1658-3655   IF- 2.688  / X Category

19.   Hussain A, Safdar N, Ain NU, Abbasi R, & Yasmin A. (2021). Litchi chinensis inspired nanoformulations: a synergy guided approach for unraveling promising cytotoxic attributes of metal and nonmetal conjugates. Toxicology Research.  ISSN: 2045-452X,2045-4538   IF- 3.524 / X Category

20.   Sadaf HM, Bibi Y, Ishaque M, Nisa S., Qayyum A, Safdar N. & Chung, G. (2021). Determination of ROS Scavenging, Antibacterial and Antifungal Potential of Methanolic Extract of Otostegia limbata (Benth.) Boiss. Plants,  ISSN: 2223-7747, 10(11), 2360   IF- 3.935 / X Category

 

21.   Kazmi Z, Safdar N, Ain N, Yasmin, A (2021) Radical scavenging capability influences the multifarious therapeutic tendencies of phyto-engineered CuO nanostructures. Journal of Inorganic and Organometallic Polymers and Materials. ISSN: 1574-1443, 1574- 1451, 1-12      IF- 3.54 / X Category

22.       Fatima, A., Safdar, N., Moin, B, & Yasmin, A. (2020). Alkenes, fatty acids and phenols augment bioactivities of organic crops. Food Bioscience, ISSN: 2212-4306,2212-4292 Vol -37, 100737.    IF- 4.24 / W Category

23.       Chaudhry GS, Akim A, Naveed Zafar M, Safdar N, Sung YY, Muhammad TST (2020). Understanding Hyaluronan Receptor (CD44) Interaction, HA-CD44 Activated Potential Targets in Cancer Therapeutics. Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin.  ISSN: 2251-7308,2228-5881, 1-24    X Category

24.       Kazmi, Z., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A. (2019). Biological screening of three selected folklore medicinal plants from Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 32(4), 1477-1484  ISSN: 1011-601X    IF- 0.596/ W Category

25.       Ain, N. U., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A. (2019). Additive-based stability assessment of biologically designed CuO and GSH-CuO nanospheres and their applicability as Nano-biosensors. Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces, 178, 66-73. ISSN: 0927-7765  IF- 4.389/ W Category

26.       Rehmat, Chaudhry, G., Safdar, N. (2018). Antitumor Activity of aspartame in diet coke using Potato Disc Tumor Assay. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 10(8), 2119-2121.   ISSN: 0975-1459  Y Category

27.       Perveen, S., Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A. (2018). Antibacterial evaluation of silver nanoparticles synthesized from lychee peel: individual versus antibiotic conjugated effects. World Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology, 34(8), 1-12. ISSN:1573-0972 0959-3993  IF- 2.477/  W Category

 

BOOK / BOOK CHAPTERS PUBLISHED

 

1.      Shaghufta Perveen, Sidra Abbas, Naila Safdar (2025) Strategies for Protecting Air and Water Quality in the Twenty-First Century Blue Sky, Blue Water: Strategies for Protecting Air and Water Quality in the 21st Century Springer Nature Switzerland Pp 457-474.

 

2.      Aqsa Nadeem Shah, Naila Safdar, Azra Yasmin (2024) Bottom of Form

3.Joint Use of Nanomaterials and Plants for the Remediation of Inorganic Pollutants. Nano-phytoremediation and Environmental Pollution. Pp110-124 Taylor and Francis, CRC Press.

 

4.      Chaudhry GS., Zeenia, Masood, S., Zafar, M.N., Safdar, N. (2024). Versatile Component of Extracellular Matrix: Hyaluronan with Dual Application in Understanding Cancer Progression Initiation and Cancer Inhibition. In: Interdisciplinary Cancer Research. Springer, Cham. pp 1–25

 

5.       Khan, Z., Yasmin, A., & Safdar, N (2023). Medicinal Plants: Microbial Interactions, Molecular Techniques and Therapeutic Trends. Bentham Science Publishers.

 

6.       Safdar, N., Yasmin, A., & Khan, Z. (2023). Medicinal plants; Traditional Trends to Modern therapeutics. In Medicinal Plants: Microbial Interactions, Molecular Techniques and Therapeutic Trends. Bentham Science Publishers. 188-205

 

7.       Perveen S and Safdar N (2023) Nanotechnology in Medicinal plants. In Medicinal Plants: Microbial Interactions, Molecular Techniques and Therapeutic Trends. Bentham Science Publishers. 206-229

8.       Akhtar W., Fatima R. Yasmin A., Safdar N and Khan Z (2023) Association of Plants and Microbes: Past. Present and Future. In Medicinal Plants: Microbial Interactions, Molecular Techniques and Therapeutic Trends. Bentham Science Publishers.1-26

9.       Safdar, N., & Yasmin, A (2023). Green synthesized nanomaterials as antiviral substances. In Synthesis of Bionanomaterials for Biomedical Applications (pp. 287-297). Elsevier.

10.   Yasmin, A., Basharat, Z., & Safdar, N. (2019). In-silico Approach to Target Cancer Cell DNA Repair Pathway. In Phytochemistry: An in-silico and in-vitro Update (pp. 373-392). Springer, Singapore.  ISBN: 978-981-13-6919-3, 978-981-13-6920-9

RESEARCH INTERESTS

        Bioactive compounds therapeutics                                          

·           Stress Biology

·           Green Materials

·           Gene editing techniques

·           Environmental Remediation

ACHIVEMENTS

 

ØSupervised 05 PHD Biotechnology theses, 29 MPHIL Biotechnology theses and 31 BS Biotechnology theses.

ØSelected as a mentee for the Women Empowerment and Mentoring Program (WEMP), initiated by NAHE, HEC, in collaboration with the Higher Education Development Program (HEDP) for a period of 3 month from Jan to March, 2025

 

Ø  Selected as a Semifinalist and alternate candidate for the 2024 Tech Women program over 6300 applications.

 

Ø  Awarded Best Teacher FATIMA JINNAH AWARD on 31^st July, 2023 by FJWU

 

Ø  Awarded Best Researcher FATIMA JINNAH AWARD on 31^st July, 2023 by FJWU

 

Ø  Availed EMMA-WEST Erasmus Mundus Grant, 2016 for one month research training at Institute of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of Evora, Portugal (2nd June – 3rd  July, 2016).

 

Ø  Second prize in poster competition at The 3rd International Conference on Emerging Trends in Bioinformatics and Biosciences. Mohammad Ali Jinnah University, Islamabad. 02-03 October 2015,

 

Ø  Travel Grant Sanctioned for Oral Presentation in “24th Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology Conference” in Malaysia. (27-29 August 2013)

 

Ø  Second prize in poster competition at National Conference on Trends in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. February 21, 2012.

 

Ø  International Research Support Initiative Scholarship, 2011” awarded by HEC, Pakistan  for the University of  Sheffield, United Kingdom.

 

Ø  Cleared International Graduate Record Examination, 2010 of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology conducted by ETS, USA, with the percentile score of 40.

 

Ø  Awarded Indigenous PhD 5000 Fellowship Program Phase–V (2008-2012) by Higher Education Commission, Pakistan

 

Ø  Merit Scholarship and Second position in M.Sc. 2003, Department of Biochemistry, University of Arid Agriculture, Rawalpindi.

CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS

1. Participated in a Workshop on HPLC for Basics and Practical Demonstration at PCSIR Labs, Islamabad on 17^th April, 2025.

 

2. Participated in a series of capacity-building workshops (Teaching and Learning, Excellence in Academic Leadership and Departmental Management; Role of Women Leadership; Ethical Leadership and Transformational Influence) based on learning of the Higher Education Systems Strengthening Activity (HESSA) organized by Strategic Planning Committee in collaboration with the Center of Learning Excellence (CLE) dated 28-30 Jan, 2025.

 

3. Completed three online Courses through Coursera entitled “Work Smarter with Microsoft Excel’, Basics of Entrepreneurship” and AI for Everyone in Jan and Feb, 2025.

 

4. Member of a training Workshop on ‘Review of Institutional Performance and Enhancement (RIPE) conducted by QEC, 24 Jan, 2025.

 

5. Attended Faculty/Staff Development Workshop on "Roadmap to Entrepreneurship," on 22 January 2025, organized by BIC, FJWU.

 

6. Participated in Seminar “Montreal Protocol Advancing Climate Action” organized by Ministry of Climate change and Environmental condition at Marriot Hotel, Islamabad. December 24, 2024

 

7.      Participated in HESSA USAID Activity:  Micro-counseling Skills Training Workshop 7 - 9 May 2024 at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi.

 

8. Faculty Capacity Building Workshop on 5-year strategic plan (Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Quality Enhancement) at Baragali, Peshawar University Campus, 3-6 September, 2023.

 

9. Participated in 2^nd International Conference on “Emerging Trends in Science and Technology- ICETST, 2023” HELD ON 02-06 October, 2024 organized by FS&T, FJWU in collaboration with HEC, Islamabad.

 

10. Two days Hand-on Training on Drug designing tools (MOE, AUTODOCK) 16-17^th August, 2023 by Chemistry Department of Rawalpindi Women University, Rawalpindi.

 

11. Organizer of the Conference entitled “ 1^st Multidisciplinary International Conference on Women and Health “ in FJWU scheduled on 8-10 March, 2023.

 

12. Participated in Training Workshop on Intellectual Property and Patent Filing for the Director ORIC and potential Patent filers at public and private sector universities in Punjab. Hosted by PHEC at Arfa Software Technology Park, Lahore on February 22, 2023.

 

13. Five days Training Workshop on “Teacherpreneurship in Higher Education” organized by ORIC-BIC-FJWEDC at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi on January 2-6, 2023 @ 9am-2pm.

 

14. A Public Lecture by COMSTECH on Development of Novel Anticancer Compounds Targeting Mitochondrial Protein Homeostasis on Nov 30, 2022 10:00 am Islamabad.

 

15. Completed an online course “The Science of Stem Cells” and “Drug Discovery” authorized by American Museum of Natural History and University of California San Diego through Coursera in July and October 2022.

 

16. International Training Workshop on Managing Science and Technology Parks organized by COMSTECH in collaboration with Pardis Technology Park, Iran and ICCBS Technology Park and Technology Incubation Center, Pakistan on 7-8 September, 2022 at COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan.

 

17. Participated in a series of workshops titled “Bringing Boyers to your institution” organized by Center for Learning Excellence (CLE), ORIC from November 2021- January 2022.

 

18. Participated as a guest speaker in "Traditional and Alternative Medicines" at the 11th Annual Public Health Conference titled: "Contemporary Medicines Health Technologies and Vaccines for Emerging Public Health Risks" Organized by Health Services Academy, Islamabad held on 23-24 September 2021.  

 

19. Training workshop on “LATEX for faculty and research scholars” conducted by (ORIC) at Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi on 11^th August, 2021.

 

20. Keynote speaker/ trainer on “How to Write Methodology” in a “Training on Scientific Writing” webinar organized by IPBB Scientific activity forum,  MNS University of Agriculture, Multan. 21 June, 2021

 

21. Keynote Speaker on CRISPR/CAS-9 and Medicinal plants in a webinar entitled “CRISPR-based genome editing and its applications” organized by MNS University of Agriculture, Multan and Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi on 8^th April, 2021.

 

22. “Improving Research Planning skills using Elsevier Tools-Science Direct and Scopus”  on  12^th March 2021 organized by Elsevier 

 

23. “Dissecting the scholarly publishing process. An overview and guidance on publishing” Wednesday, 27th of January 2021organized by HEC, Pakistan

24.  “Academic Administration Workshop for HODs and Emerging Leaders” 4^th to 12^th January, 2021 (9:30- 2:30 pm) organized in collaboration with the Center of Learning Excellence (CLE) and the ORIC at FJWU.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Ø  Research Project entitled “From Computational Design to Biological Evaluation: A Multi-Scale Study on Prebiotic Encapsulated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles to increase Iron bioavailability " (1.415 million budget) approved against the Research Grant call 2025 by FJWU

 

Ø  Start Up Research Grant by HEC, 2021 as Co-PI (1 million / 1 year) for the project “Biological screening and characterization of principle active agents in selected species of Fabaceae family” (Completed)

 

 

Ø  Research Grant for Science, 2020 (6000 USD / 2 years) awarded to my PHD student for the project entitled “Fabrication of novel plant-based copolymers and their scrutinization as xenobiotic remediators for pharmaceutical and textile wastewater effluents “by International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden (Completed)

 

 

Ø  NRPU competitive research grant, 2017 (3.68 million / 2 years) entitled “Anticarcinogenic potential of bimetallic green nanoparticles in conjugation with Anticancerous drugs “by Higher Education commission, Pakistan (Completed).