Dr. Abdul Wakeel Umar

Objective

A highly skilled professional with a Ph.D. in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology, proficient in laboratory techniques including DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation, DIC, confocal and electron microscopy, cell culture, cloning, and protein purification. I have in-depth knowledge of molecular biology principles, bioinformatics tools, cell and tissue culture, microbiological techniques, and data analysis. I excel in scientific writing and communication.

Education

• Ph.D. in Agromolecular Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China (September 7, 2015 – June 30, 2018)
  • Dissertation: "Ethylene mediates dichromate-induced morpho-physiological, biochemical, and molecular changes in plants."
  • Supervisor: Professor Dr. Yinbo Gan
  • Achievements: Completed coursework with an average of 85%, published five research articles, applied for national and provincial projects, co-mentored junior colleagues.
• MPhil in Biotechnology, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan (September 16, 2013 – August 11, 2015)
  • Dissertation: "Evaluation of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, Antileishmanial and Cytotoxic Capacity of Isitis tinctoria L."
  • Supervisor: Professor Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari
  • Achievements: Completed 24 credit courses, published three articles, successfully defended thesis.
• BS (Honors) in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Pakistan (January 21, 2009 – March 15, 2013)
  • Dissertation: "Isolation, screening, and characterization of proteolytic bacteria from soil samples collected from various slaughtering houses in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa."
  • Supervisor: Professor Dr. Noor Muhammad
  • Achievements: Completed 130 credit hours, successfully defended thesis.
• BSc in Biological Science, Govt. Superior Science College, University of Peshawar, Pakistan (September 6, 2006 – October 11, 2008)

Work/Research Experience

• Associate Distinguished Research Fellow (ADRF), Beijing Normal University, China (October 20, 2022 – present)
  • Advancing Cell-Free Protein Synthesis: Utilizing Nanodiscs, Washed Cell Organelles, and Liposomes for Membrane Protein Production.
  • Investigating Hormonal Regulation in Meristematic Cell Growth and Development under Diverse External Stimuli.
  • Collaborating with national and international researchers, contributing to high-impact publications.
• Brain Pool Invited Scientist, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), South Korea (August 1, 2021 - September 30, 2022)
  • Investigating Polymerase Enzyme Components in cis-Polyisoprene Polymerization through Multi-Omics and Biotechnological Approaches.
  • Publishing research in high-impact journals, securing external funding.
  • Organizing workshops and mentoring junior researchers.
• Outstanding Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Henan University, China (February 1, 2019 – May 30, 2021)
  • Conducting multidisciplinary research in Metabolite Isolation and Hormonal Regulation.
  • Authoring articles in high-impact journals, participating in forums.
• Assistant Professor, Environmental Science, Miami College, Henan University, China (January 1, 2020 – December 30, 2020)
  • Instructing courses on Air Pollution Control and Environmental Geography.
  • Collaborating with Miami University in curriculum development.
  • Mentoring and supervising students in final projects.
• Senior Research Associate, DNA Consultants, Kabul, Afghanistan (July 1, 2018 – December 30, 2018)
  • Conducting surveys and field studies to support project proposals.
  • Mentoring and training young scholars, collaborating with teams on project proposals.
• Biology Lecturer, Chanab International College, Pakistan (December 4, 2013 – August 30, 2015)
  • Designing and delivering A-level Biology lessons, creating curriculum materials.
  • Evaluating student progress and performing experiments.
• Chemistry Lecturer, Faculty of Engineering, Alfalah University, Afghanistan (February 1, 2013 - November 30, 2013)
  • Designing and delivering General Chemistry lessons, creating curriculum materials.
  • Evaluating student progress, performing experiments, collaborating with colleagues in departmental activities.

Essential Skills & Techniques

• Laboratory Techniques: DNA/RNA isolation, cDNA synthesis, PCR, gel electrophoresis, Western blotting, protein isolation, spectrophotometry, cell organelle isolation, immunoprecipitation, chromatography.
• Molecular Biology: Gene expression analysis, genetic engineering techniques, DNA sequencing, CRISPR-Cas9, antibody characterization.
• Bioinformatics: Experience with bioinformatics tools and databases such as NCBI, TMHMM, PHYRE-2.0, Galaxy.
• Cell and Tissue Culture: Expertise in plant cell and tissue culture techniques, plant transformation, immunocytochemistry.
• Microbiology: Microbial culture, isolation, identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Data Analysis: Proficiency in statistical analysis using software like Minitab, SPSS, and data visualization.
• Scientific Writing and Communication: Strong skills in research papers, grant proposals, technical reports, and presentations.
• Project Management: Planning, organizing, and executing research projects effectively.
• Collaboration and Teamwork: Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams.

Conferences/Exhibitions/Prizes

• Speaker at the "Phoenix Forum of Beijing Normal University on Global Symbiosis: Education for the Future" (May 11-12, 2024)
• Speaker at "The academic seminar for young postdoctoral scholars of double carbon science and technology," China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (December 7-8, 2023)
• Speaker at "Tenth Doctoral Forum Natural Sciences," Nanjing University, China (November 18, 2017)
• Organizer of "Biosafety and biodiversity," Pakistan Academy of Sciences (March 23, 2015)
• Organizer of "Dual Use Concept in Biotechnology," Pakistan Academy of Sciences (March 25, 2014)
• Organizer of "Biotechnology Exhibition" KUST, Pakistan (June 12, 2012)
• First prize in "Biotechnology Poster Exhibition" KUST, Pakistan (April 01, 2011)
• First prize in "DNA Model Exhibition," KUST, Pakistan (March 10, 2010)

List of Publications

• Lead Author Publications:
• Abdul Wakeel Umar, Ahmad, N., Xu, M. (2024). "Reviving Natural Rubber Synthesis via Native/Large Nanodiscs." Polymers, Vol. 16, pp. 1468.
• Abdul Wakeel Umar, Stephen B. R. (May 2023) "Plant molecular engine out of the chassis: natural rubber synthesis in cell-free systems." Industrial Crops & Products, Vol. 195, pp.116166.
• Abdul Wakeel, Gan, Y. (March 2021) "Dichromate-induced ethylene biosynthesis, perception, and signaling regulate the variance in root growth inhibition among Shaheen basmati and basmati-385 rice varieties." Environmental Science and Pollution Research.
• Abdul Wakeel, Wang, L., Xu, M. (March 2021) "SPEECHLESS and MUTE Mediate Feedback Regulation of Signal Transduction during Stomatal Development." Plants-Basel, Vol.10(3), pp.432.
• Abdul Wakeel and Xu, M. (May 2020) "Chromium Morpho-Phytotoxicity." Plants-Basel, Vol.9(5), pp.564.
• Abdul Wakeel, Xu, M… (January 2020) "Chromium-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Accumulation by Altering the Enzymatic Antioxidant System and Associated Cytotoxic, Genotoxic, Ultrastructural, and Photosynthetic Changes in Plants." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol.21(3), pp.728.
• Abdul Wakeel, …Gan, Y. (May 2019) "Ethylene mediates dichromate-induced oxidative stress and regulation of the enzymatic antioxidant system-related transcriptome in Arabidopsis thaliana." Environmental and Experimental Botany, Vol.161(1), pp.166-179.
• Abdul Wakeel, ..Gan, Y. (June 2018) "Ethylene mediates dichromate induced inhibition of primary root growth by altering AUX1 expression and auxin accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana." Plant, cell & environment, Vol.41(6), pp.1453-146.

For more publications, please visit Google Scholar.

Contact

For collaboration and professional inquiries, please contact me via email or phone:

• Email: abwzju@zju.edu.cn, awzju@bnu.edu.cn, abwzju@gmail.com
• Phone: +86-15875692917