• Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan, since Feb. 2011
• Associate Professor (FP):COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Abbottabad, Pakistan, Sep. 2005 to Jan. 2011
• Assistant Professor, Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Jan. 2004 to Sept. 2005
• Research Manager, Brabant Research Inc; Technology Park, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska, USA, 2001 to 2004
• Research Associate, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), USA, 1999-2001
• Post-doctoral Fellow, Forage genetics and polyploid genomics, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa, USA, 1998 to 1999

TEACHING EXPERIENCE: 

• Courses developed and taught at different higher education institutions since joining as faculty in 2004
• Research supervision (Training of MS/PhD students)

ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE:

• The Genetic Society of America
• The American Society of Agronomy
• The Crop Science Society of America Gamma Sigma Delta
• The Honor Society of Agriculture, US Sigma Xi
• The Scientific Research Society, US

• Genome mapping
• Plant improvement through conventioanal and advanced biotechnology techniques
• Isolation and genetic characterization of medicinal compounds

• PAS Gold Medal 2018.  Awarded on
  November 20, 2018 by Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) Islamabad, in recognition to the
  outstanding contributions in the fields of Emerging Technologies including
  Biotechnology, Nanotechnology, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics.
• Best Research Paper Award 2015-16. (Co-Awardee
  with Dr. Irum Shahzadi-a PhD students of mine).  Awarded by the Higher Education
  Commission of Pakistan on March 1, 2018. The paper entitled “Acylated
  flavonol glycosides from Tagetes minuta
  with antibacterial activity” published in Frontiers in Pharmacology. 6:195.
  doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00195 [Published
  online 2015 Sep 11. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00195]”
• Best teacher award 2015-16: 
• Best University Teacher Award for 2005. Awarded by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, Islamabad on January 26, 2008
• National Talent Award. 2008. Awarded by Pakistan National Talent Council, Abbottabad on August 24, 2008
• Silver Medal. 1988. Awarded for securing 2nd highest position (GPA=3.9/4.0) in order of merit among all successful graduates in B.Sc(Hons) Agriculture degree, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar, Pakistan
• Governor’s Gold Medal. 1983. Awarded for securing highest position (1st) in order of merit among all successful students in the subject of Islamic Education in Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) Examination, Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE), Peshawar, Pakistan.
• Bronze Medal. 1980. Excellence in leadership and best performance in Quiz competition, Boys Scouts Camporee, Islamabad, Pakistan

PROFESSIONAL HONORS

• Associate Editor. 2005—present. Journal of EUPHYTICA, an International Journal on Plant Breeding and Genetics, published by SPRINGER in the Netherlands, http://www.springeronline.com
• Reviewing editor and Member Board of Editorial. 2001-2005. Journal of EUPHYTICA, http://www.springeronline.com
• Member Board of Editorial. 2000-present. Genetics and Molecular Research (GMR), International Journal on Molecular Genetics, published from Brazil. http://www.funpecrp.com.b /gmr/editorial.html
• Reviewing editor. 2005–present. The Australian Journal of Agricultural Research (AJAR), publishing for CSIRO and the Australian Academy of Science, PO Box 1139, Collingwood, Victoria 3066, Australia (http://www.publish.csiro.au/journals)
• Reviewing editor. 2000-present. Crop Science, an International Journal on crop physiology, breeding, genetics, cellular and molecular biology, published by the Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), Madison, Wisconsin, USA. http://www.asa-cssa-sssa.org/review/review_view.cgi
• Panel reviewer and examiner. 2004-present. Textbooks and Monographs, Research grant proposals and PC-1s submitted to the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), and PTCL, Islamabad, Pakistan
• Productive Scientist. Listed as the most productive scientists of Pakistan since 2006 by Pakistan Council for Science and Technology (PCST). Directory of the productive scientists of Pakistan, by PCST.

• Total grants submitted: 16
• Grants submitted to Higher Education Commission (HEC): 05
• Grants submitted to Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF): 01
• Grants submitted to Pakistan Agriculture Research Council (PARC): 01
• Grants submitted to Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST): 01 
• Grants submitted to COMSATS IIT (CIIT)-as CO-PI: 05 
• Grants approved: 10 
• Grants completed: 06 
• Grants in progress: 03

PROJECTS DETAILS: Research grants as Principal Investigator (PI):

• Up-gradation
  of Biotechnology Lab facilities at CUI Abbottabad. Funding agency. HEC and
  Planning Commission of Pakistan. Rs 53 M, in progress (part of the PC-1 for
  establishment of new campus at CUI Atd)
• Improving Olive Tree using Conventional and Innovative
  Biotechnological Approaches. Funding agency: HEC-NRPU; Award amount Rs. 13.7 Millions. Submitted, 
  2017
• Exploring
  the interface of biochemical and genetic potential of pesticidal compounds in
  plants.  Funding agency: HEC-NRPU; Award amount Rs. 12.05 Millions.
  Submitted, 2017
• Effects
  of light regimes on growth parameters, biochemical markers and silymarin
  content during micropropagation of Silybummarianum
  L.  HEC;
  Award amount Rs. 0.5Millions. 
  Approved 2015 and in progress   
• In Vitro conservation of Neolistea Cuipala, a critically endangered plant species in
  Pakistan. Sponsoring agency: HEC; Award amount
  Rs. 0.5Millions.  Completed 2018.
• Wheat Improvement Using Targeted Genomic Approaches. 2011-2014. Sponsoring agency,
  Pakistan Science Foundation under Pak-US Natural Sciences Linkages Programme
  (NSLP) Endowment Fund.  Award amount Rs.
  2.6 Millions.  Completed 2014.
• Saturation Mapping and the Utility of Ph1 Gene Region for Wheat Improvement.
  2006-2010. Sponsoring agency; Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad. Award
  amount Rs. 1.99 Millions.  Completed 2010.
• Optimization
  of DNA Isolation Protocols and Identification of Molecular Markers to Dissect
  Genetic Variability in Synthetic Hexaploid Wheat. 2004-2005. Sponsored/funded
  by HEC, Award amount Rs. 1.00Million. 
  Completed 2005
  at IBGE Peshawar).

Research Grants as Co-Principal Investigator:

• Augments salt tolerance of Zea mays via stacking of
  genes involved in Na+ transport-SOS1-NHX1-HKT1, assessing environmental risks
  and potential for bioethanol production. Sponsoring agency: HEC-NRPU, award
  amount Rs. 4.3 Millions. (PI: Dr. Ismat
  Nawaz; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah).  Submitted
  2017
• Chemical genomics based dissecting of disease
  resistance mechanism through WRKY70 ortholog in potato against bacterial pathogen. Sponsoring
  agency: HEC-NRPU; award
  amount Rs. 5.1M. (PI: Dr. Ayesha Baig; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah).  Submitted
  2017
• Improvement of Carotenoid
  Contents and Herbicide Tolerance in Transgenic Potato for Commercial
  Cultivation. Funded by PSF; Award amount.
  Rs3.3M; PI: Dr. Raza Ahmad, Co-PI: Dr. MM Shah. Approved and in progress 2018
• Isolation and Identification of Antibacterial
  Compounds Producing Bacterial Strains from Soil. Funded by HEC; Award Amount
  Rs. 0.48M; PI: Dr. Muhammad Ali, Co-PI: Dr. MM Shah. Approved 2018
• Isolation and characterization of novel bacterial
  strain and its use in seed priming for protection of tomato against nematode
  damage. Sponsoring agency: HEC-NRPU,
  award amount Rs.6.68 Millions. (PI: Dr.
  Muhammad Ali; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah). 
  Approved 2018
• Determination
  of flavonoids with their antioxidant potential for drug discovery from selected
  medicinal plants of Pakistan. Sponsoring agency: HEC-NRPU,
  award amount Rs. 2.913
  Millions. (PI: Dr. Irum Shahzadi; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah).  Approved  2017
• Improvement
  of Potato Plant Photosynthesis by Engineering Novel Cyanobacterial Carbon
  dioxide Concentrating Mechanism Project (NRPU-4896). Sponsoring
  agency: HEC-Islamabad; Award
  amount Rs. 6.
  587447Millions.
  (PI: Dr.
  Raza Ahmed: Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah).
  Approved 2016 and in Progress
• Investigation of biochemical and
  genotoxic effects of heavy metals on medicinal plants (Tagetes species) using
  various biomarkers.  Sponsoring agency: HEC, award amount Rs. 0.5M (PI:
  Dr. Irum Shahzadi; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah). 
  Completed  2017
• Development and Release of Indigenous Maize Hybrids
  for Hilly Areas of North Western Regions of Pakistan. 2012. Sponsoring
  agency: HEC, award
  amount Rs. 5.997 Millions. (PI: Dr. Kiramat Khan; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof
  Shah).  Completed 2017
• Evaluation of plant species for
  biopesticidal potential grown in Abbottabad region. (PI: Miss. Saira Khan, Co-PI:
  Dr. M. Maroof Shah). Sponsoring
  agency: CUI- Islamabad; Award amount
  Rs.0.154Millions.  Approved 2015-and on-going
• Determining
  Phytic acid contents in spring and winter wheat lines. (PI: Miss. Asma Khan, Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah). Sponsoring agency: CUI- Islamabad; Award amount Rs.0.200Millions.  Completed  2015
• Identification
  of Genes Involved in Phytoremediation from Different Hyperaccumulators Plants
  and Recombinant protein Expression, Purification, and Functional Analysis of
  proteinase inhibitors from medicinal Plant. Sponsoring agency: HEC, award amount Rs. 0.5M; (PI: Dr. Rafiq Ahmad; Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof
  Shah).  Completed 2013-2015
• Biochemical
  investigation of Arisaema Species by using Spectroscopic Analysis. (PI: Miss.
  Irum Shahzadi, Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah). Sponsoring agency: CUI- Islamabad; Award amount Rs.0.200Millions.  Completed 2014-15
• Establishment
  of An Efficient Tissue Culture System in Pakistani Wheat (Triticumaestivum L)
  Germplasm. PI: Miss. Ummara Khan, Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah. Sponsoring
  agency: CUI-
  Islamabad; Award amount Rs. 0.200 Millions.  Completed
  2014-16
• Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Triticumaestivum L with Nucleoside
  Diphosphate Kkinase (NDPK2) gene for multiple abiotic stresses. PI: Miss.
  UmmaraWaheed KhanCo-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah. Award
  amount Rs0.5 M. Sponsoring
  agency: DoST- KP
  Government.  Completed 2013-2015
• Isolation
  and characterization of parathion degrading bacteria from Soil. PI: Muhammad
  Ali, Co-PI: Dr. Maroof Shah. Sponsoring agency: CUI-
  Islamabad; Award amount. Rs. 0.200 Millions.  Completed 2011-2013
• Testing A
  new Agrobacterium-Mediated In-Planta Transformation Method for Local Wheat
  Varieties. Sponsoring agency: CUI-Islamabad. Award amount
  Rs.
  0.2 Millions. PI: Dr. Jamshaid Hussain, Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah. Completed (2011-2013)
• Molecular
  and Morpholgical Characterization of T1 and T2 Generations of Transgeninc
  Potato Plants Expressing Choline Oxidase in Chloroplasts under the Control of
  Stress-Inducible Promoter. PI. Dr. 0.18Million. CUI-Islamabad . PI: Raza
  Ahmad, Co-PI. Dr. M. Maroof Shah.
  Completed (2010-2012)
• Isolation and
  biochemical analyses of therapeutic compounds in Tagetes species.Sponsoring
  agency CUI-
  Islamabad (PI: Miss IrumShahzadi, Co-PI: Dr. M. Maroof Shah).  Award amount Rs.0.200Millions.  Completed 2009-2010.
• Identification
  of PCR-based primers for the detection of
  Ph1 gene region in wheat.  Sponsoring
  agency CUI-Islamabad
  (PI: Ummarah Waheed Co-PI: Dr. Maroof Shah). Award amount Rs. 0.10
  millions. Completed 2009-2010
• Study
  the effects of environment on prevalence
  and distribution of potato leaf roll virus (PLRV) disease in Hazara division.
  2008-2010. Sponsoring agency CUI-
  Islamabad (PI: Zishan Gul, Co-PI: Dr. M.
  Maroof Shah.). Award amount Rs. 0.15
  millions. Completed 2008-2010
• Genotypic and Phenotypic Response
  of Vegetables to Pesticides. 2008-2010. Sponsoring
  agency CUI- Islamabad (Mr. Saqib Khan
  and MM Shah).  Award amount Rs.0.173Millions.  Completed
  2008-2010
• The influence
  of environment on
  the morphological and biochemical traits of Maize.  2008-2010. Sponsoring agency; CUI, Islamabad (Mr. KhurramMaqbool and Dr. MM Shah). Award amount Rs. 0.15 millions. Completed 2008-2010
• Identification
  of PCR-based molecular markers for the detection of potato late blight disease
  in Abbottabad Region. 2008-2010. Sponsoring agency; CUI, Islamabad (Sanila Amir
  and Dr. MM Shah).  Award Amount
  Rs.0.16Millions. Completed 2008-2010

• Projects
  submitted (as PI) – but not approved

• Assessment of Current and Future
  Ozone and Warming Impact on Wheat Production in China and Pakistan.  A Joint
  Research and Development Project of PSF Pak-NSFC (China). Amount 10 M. Submitted to respective agencies by the
  partner Researchers.
• DNA-based genetic
  characterization of maize germplasm. 2005-2008. Sponsored/funded by Pakistan
  Agricultural Research Council (PARC) Islamabad, under Agricultural Linkage
  program (ALP). Award amount Rs. 3.2
  Millions.  Approved while working at IBGE. It was not transferred to CUI by
  PARC and was thus returned to sponsoring agency by the Agricultural University
  Peshawar.
• Biodiversity
  Conservation through Development of Hydroponics and In-vitro Propagation
  Technologies; PC-1. 2006. Submitted to HEC under Foreign Faculty Hiring Program, award amount Rs. 34
  Millions. Not approved
• Improvement
  of Value Added Plant Species through Development of Biotechnology Facilities at
  CUI Abbottabad. PC-1. 2007. Submitted to Ministry of Science and Technology,
  Islamabad, Amount
  Rs. 35.50 Millions. The results are
  unknown
• Establishment of a Research
  Nursery Farm for Locally Grown Value Added Plants. 2006.  submitted
  to HEC, through CUI, Islamabad; award amount Rs. 1.8 Million.  Not
  approved (after review), 2007
• Multifaceted Approaches to Characterize and Improve
  Maize for Economically important Traits.  Submitted
  to HEC, for the award of Rs. 7.68millions.  Not
  approved (after review), 2007