Dr. Najiya al-Arifa

Assistant Professor
Department of Zoology
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Profile
Research Publications

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
Qualifications and Institute	Post-Doc (2020) Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan Ph.D. Zoology (2018) Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan HEC-IRSIP Scholar (2014-15) Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore Maryland, USA M.Phil. Zoology (2008) Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan M.Sc. Zoology (2005) Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan B.Sc. Botany, Chemistry, Zoology (2003) F.G College for Women, F-7/2, Islamabad, Pakistan F.Sc. Pre-medical (2001) Army Public School and College, Rawalpindi, Pakistan Matric Science (1999) Army Public School, Westridge-III, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Joined LCWU since	Serving as Assistant Professor since 2018.

Work Experience	Currently serving as Assistant Professor (BPS-19) at Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore. Previously served as Lecturer (BPS-17) at Department of Zoology, Lahore College for Women University (2006 - 2007).

Additional charge/duties	Appointed by the Vice Chancellor as a Member of the Alumni Working Group, for the responsibility of Alumni Engagement with Faculty Members at LCWU, Lahore. British Council ACP project coordinator for BS students since 2023. HEC-Approved Supervisor for Ph.D. Mentor of BS, MS and PhD degree programs. External Examiner for BS and MS Thesis evaluations. Member of the admissions committee for BS Zoology, LCWU, Lahore. Served as MSc Zoology program coordinator at Department of Zoology, LCWU (2015 - 2018). Member of committee for stock checking of chemicals at the Department of Zoology, LCWU Lahore. In-charge of Zoology Museum at the Department of Zoology, LCWU Lahore. Prospectus and website coordinator for the Department of Zoology, LCWU Lahore. In-charge of the Zoological Sorority: Zoological Society at the Department of Zoology, LCWU Lahore. In-charge Departmental media team

HONORS AND AWARDS
1. Awarded HEC-IRSIP Scholarship (2014). 2. Awarded Fauji Foundation Academic Distinction Award (2007). 3. Awarded HEC Indigenous Ph.D. Scholarship (2006). 4. Awarded Bronze Medal for 3rd Position in M. Sc. Zoology (2006). 5. Awarded Academic Roll of Honor (2006). 6. Awarded Merit Certificate (2006).

MEMBERSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS
1. Life fellow Pakistan Fisheries Society. 2. Life fellow Biological Society of Pakistan. 3. Life fellow Zoological Society of Pakistan.

GRANTS AND PROJECTS
1. Awarded and successfully completed HEC Startup Research Grant Program (SRGP) for Assistant Professors Joining under IPFP/TTS in 2018 worth 0.48 Million PKR.

RESEARCH STUDENTS SUPERVISED
Ph.D 01 (On-going) MS 36 (Completed) M.Sc 13 (Completed) BS 32 (Completed)

OTHER NOTE-WORTHY ACHIEVEMENTS

1. Established Immunology Research Laboratory (2018).

2. Established and maintained “Department of Zoology LCWU’s Social Media Accounts” (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), since 2015.

3. Designed the “Department of Zoology LCWU’s Official Logo” (2015).

4. Participated in “Raising awareness about asthma and effects of consanguineous marital unions on human genetics” at a two-day blood donation camp organized jointly by the GC University’s Blood Donor Society and Fatimid Foundation at GC University for thalassemia patients (December, 2013).

5. Participated in fund raising activities for “Sahara Life Trust” for the construction of Sughra Shafi Hospital (March, 2003).

6. Awarded certificate for outstanding participation in fund raising activities for “Shaukat Khanum Memorial Trust” to help build Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital (February, 2000).

7. Persuasive verbal and written skills (English, Urdu, Punjabi).

8. Written and verbal knowledge of Spanish language.

9. Certified Graphics and Web designer using advanced tools.

RESEARCH INTERESTS	Immunology (Asthma & Allergy), Toxicology, Microbiology

Brief Statement of Research Interest	My research interests primarily lie in the interplay between environmental exposures (particularly toxins, allergens and microbes), how they influence the immune system and contribute to the development of asthma, allergies, and other immune-related disorders. My research focuses on the intersection of immunology, toxicology, and microbiology to develop strategies for improved diagnosis, prevention, and treatment (CAMs).

Publications

Manzoor, F., al-Arifa, N., Aman, S., Waqar, I. and Liaqat, I. 2024. Toxicological effects of short term exposure to Alpha-Cypermethrin on adult albino mice Mus musculus. Journal of the Hellenic Veterinary Medical Society. (Impact Factor = 0.516). HEC-HJRS Y-Category.
Badar, R., Zulfiqar, S., Zahid, A. A., Mehmood, N., Zeeshan, R., Nawaz, A., al-Arifa, N., Hasan, A., Safi, S. Z., ur Rehman, I. and Yar, M. 2023. Thyroxine incorporated commercially available alginate dressings to stimulate angiogenesis for wound healing applications. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology. Oct 4: 1-9. (October 1^st, 2023. ISSN: 1773-2247 Impact Factor = 5.062) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jddst.2023.105026. HEC-HJRS W-Category.
Alam, S., Liaqat, I., al-Arifa, N., Zia, T., Munawar, M., and Muzamil, A. 2023. Obesity theranostics using nanoemulsions of Probiotics and local herbs. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 30: 1-12. (August 18^th, 2023. ISSN: 1319-562X Impact Factor = 4.052) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103790. HEC-HJRS W-Category.
Liaqat, I., Noor, S., Qureshi, A. S., Ali, S., Liaqat, I., Al-Arifa, N., Alam, S., Ajmal, A., Zia, T. and Munawar, M. 2023. Biosynthesis and Evaluation of Cinnamomum zeylanicum Nanomaterials for the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Mice. Pakistan Veterinary Journal. Pakistan Veterinary Journal. 43(1): 118-124. (January 22^nd, 2023. ISSN: 0253-8318 Impact Factor = 1.803) DOI: https://doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2023.004. HEC-HJRS X-Category.
al-Arifa, N., Huda, N. and Ullah, S. A. 2021. Survey of Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Comorbidities in Lahore. MARKHOR. 2(2): 18-23. July-Dec 2021. 31-12-2021. (December 31^st, 2021. ISSN: Online: 2790-4385, Print: 2790-4377). DOI: https://doi.org/10.54393/mjz.v2i2.5. Journal of Lahore Medical Research Center LLP.
Liaqat, I., al-Arifa, N., Asif, S. and Lone, K. P. 2021. Association of FSHR gene polymorphisms with endometriosis in women visiting tertiary-care hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association. 71(4): 1118. (January 11^th, 2021. ISSN: 0030-9982 Impact Factor = 1.002). DOI: https://doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.836. HEC-HJRS X-Category.
al-Arifa, N. and Jahan, N. 2016. Association of Glutathione-S-Transferase P1 (GSTP1) and Group-Specific Component (GC) Polymorphism with the Risk of Asthma in Pakistani Population. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 48(4): 937-942. (June 1^st, 2016. ISSN: 0030-9923 Impact Factor = 0.831). HEC-HJRS X-Category.
al-Arifa, N., Batool, A. and Hanif, A. 2013. Effects of alkaline pH on protein and fatty acid profiles of epidermal mucus from Labeo rohita. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences. 23(4): 1045-1051. (August 2^nd, 2013. ISSN: 1018-7081 Impact Factor = 0.570).
al-Arifa, N., Mughal, M. S., Hanif, A. and Batool, A. 2011. Effect of alkaline pH on bioactive molecules of epidermal mucus from Labeo rohita (Rahu). Turkish Journal of Biochemistry Turk Biyokimya Dergisi. 36(1): 29–34. (March 5^th, 2011. ISSN: 0250-4685 Impact Factor = 0.35).

BOOKS AND CHAPTERS PUBLISHED

Contributed book chapter titled “The Potential Use of Probiotics as Medicine” in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2024).
Co-author of academic book “Biostatistics”. FJ Publishers® Lahore (0300-4716259) (2023).
Contributed book chapter titled “Arthropod Allergy and Public Health” in Veterinary Pathobiology and Public Health. Editors: Dr. Rao Zahid Abbas and Prof. Dr. Ahrar Khan (ISBN: 978-969-2201-00-1) (2021).
Co-author of scientific research book “Study on Biology, Ecology and Conservation Status of Captive Animals in Lahore Zoo” (2020).

Department of Zoology

Zoology