Department of Zoology

Dr. Zakia Kanwal

Dr. Zakia Kanwal
Dr. Zakia Kanwal

Associate Professor (TTS)
Department of Zoology
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

Qualifications and Institute

  
  • PhD. (Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Netherlands, 2008-2012). Thesis Title: “Regulatory mechanisms of innate immune signaling in zebrafish embryos”
  • Pre-PhD. (Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Netherlands, 2007-2008). Internship Title: “Transient expression of PU1: GFP construct in myeloid cells”
  • MPhil. Zoology (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 2006-2007)
  • MSc. Zoology (University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, 2004-2006)
  • BSc. (University of the Punjab, Lahore, 2002-2004)

 

 

Experimental Research Experience
  • Knockdown and Overexpression analysis of genes in animal models
  •  Bacterial Cloning, Restriction Enzyme Analysis
  • Infection Assays, Inflammation assays
  • Microarray analysis/ RNA-Seq analysis
  • Microinjections of RNA, DNA, Morpholino oligonucleotides and bacteria with FemtoJet and Pico Pumps
  • DNA/RNA extraction and quantification on NanoDrop Spectrophotometer, PCR, RT-PCR, qRTPCR, TaqMan-qPCR,
  • Insitu hybridization, Fluorescent Insitu Hybridization, Immunohistochemistry, Tunnel staining
  • FACS assays for myeloid cells
  • Extensive experience of imaging on Fluorescent and Non-fluorescent Stereo microscopes, and Confocal laser scanning microscopy

 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Joined LCWU since

Joined LCWU as Assistant Professor in 2014.

 

 

Work Experience

Tenured Associate Professor since December, 2020

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

1.    Merit scholarship during MSc. (2004-2006) by University of Agriculture, Pakistan

2.    Overseas Scholarship for MS leading to PhD (2007-2012) in Netherlands awarded by Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan

3.    Poster prize at Zebrafish disease Models 4: Blood, Immunity, Cancer and Endothelial workshop, July 9-11, 2011, MRC Human genetics Unit Edinburgh, Scotland.

4.    HEC Approved PhD Supervisor (2013 onward)

5.    Invited talks at International Conference on Solid State Physics, 2019 at University of the Punjab Lahore

6.    Reviewer of Impact factor Journals

7.    External Examiner of MS/MPhil thesis

 

GRANTS AND PROJECTS

1.    Research grant under National Research Program for Universities (NRPU) program of Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan (2016-2019):

Project title: ”Study of the innate immune system and expression profiles of immune-responsive genes in major carps, Labeo rohita, Catla catla and Cirrhinus mrigala challenged with microbial infections”

Worth Rs: 7.49 Million PKR

Status: Project Completed

 

RESEARCH STUDENTS SUPERVISED

1.    PhD                 Completed: 1          Ongoing: 4

2.    MS/MPhil       Ongoing: 8             Completed: 34

3.    BS/MSc           Ongoing: 4             Completed: 41

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS

1.    Zakia Kanwal, M. Akram Raza, Saira Riaz and Shahzad Naseem, “Impact of chromium nanoparticles on haematological, immunological and histological parameters of Labeo rohita” Presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental and Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August 28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, South Korea. (http://www.iasem.org/publication_conf/acem16/6.ICAM16/T2H.3.MR373_1376F1.pdf)

2.    Zakia Kanwal, M. Akram Raza, Saira Riaz and Shahzad Naseem, “Changes in biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters of freshwater fish Labeo rohita exposed to cobalt nanoparticles”, Presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental and Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August 28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, South Korea.

(http://www.iasem.org/publication_conf/acem16/6.ICAM16/T2H.4.MR373_1377F1.pdf)

3.    M. Akram Raza, Zakia Kanwal, Saira Riaz and Shahzad Naseem, “Antibacterial performance of chromium nanoparticles against Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa”, Presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental and Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August 28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, South Korea.

(http://www.iasem.org/publication_conf/acem16/6.ICAM16/T2H.5.MR373_1378F1.pdf)

4.    M. Akram Raza, Zakia Kanwal, Saira Riaz and Shahzad Naseem, “Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial properties of nano-sized cobalt particles”, Presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmentaland Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August 28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju,Jeju Island,South Korea.

(http://www.iasem.org/publication_conf/acem16/6.ICAM16/T2H.3.MR373_1375F1.pdf)

 

SELECTED INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

1.    Presented at International Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference & EXpo-2023 (IFACE-2023) on 8-9 February 2023 organized by Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Pakistan

2.    Presented at 17th international symposium on advanced materials (ISAM) on 18-22 October at Pakistan advanced materials forum, Islamabad, Pakistan

3.    Invited lecture at “International conference on solid state physics (ICSSP‟19)” on December 8-12, 2019 at University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan

4.    Presentation at 7th International Symposium on Biomedical Materials, on 11-12 December, 2019 at COMSATS University, Lahore, Pakistan

5.    Oral presentation at “38th Pakistan congress of Zoology (international)”on February 27-March 1, 2018 at University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

6.    Poster presentation at “2nd International conference: New trends in natural sciences II Public health, food nutrition and safety” on October 24-26, 2018 at Lahore college for women university, Lahore, Pakistan

7.    Oral presentation at “6th International fisheries symposium and Expo-2017, Innovative and sustainable Aquaculture for blue revolution” on February 8-9, 2017 at UVAS Lahore, Pakistan

8.    Invited lecture at “International conference on solid state physics (ICSSP‟17)” on December 10-14, 2017 at University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan

9.    Oral presentation at “New trends in natural sciences: from basics to applied” on October 25-27, 2017 at Lahore college for women university, Lahore , Pakistan

10. Presentation title, “Impact of chromium nanoparticles on haematological, immunological and histological parameters of Labeo rohita” presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental and Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, South Korea

11. Presentation title “Changes in biochemical, haematological and histopathological parameters of freshwater fish Labeo rohita exposed to cobalt nanoparticles”, Presented at The 2016 World Congress on Advances in Civil, Environmental and Materials Research (ACEM‟16), August 28-September 1, 2016, ICC Jeju, Jeju Island, South Korea

12. Presentation title “RNA-Seq profiling of zebrafish leukocytes, mycobacterium-infected cells and ptpn6-deficient larvae” presented at „5th International Symposium on Biomedical Materials (ISBM 2016), held on December 14-16, 2016 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore, organized by COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

13. Presentation title, “Zebrafish: An inflammation and infectious study model” presented at 5th International Fisheries symposium, on 24-25 February, 2015 at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore, Pakistan, organized by Department of Fisheries, Punjab, Pakistan

14. Presentation title “Zebrafish as a model organism for infectious diseases” presented at International conference on Innovative Biological and Public Health Research (IBPHR), on May 06-08, 2014 organized by Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan

15. Presentation title “Negative regulation of innate immunity by Shp1/Ptpn6 phosphatase”, presented at Institute of Biology, Leiden University, Spotlight Seminar, March 01, 2012, Netherlands

16. Presentation title “Negative regulation of innate immunity by Shp1/Ptpn6 phosphatase” presented at Leiden Tuberculosis (TB) meeting March 22, 2011, Netherlands.

17. Presentation title, “Negative regulation of innate immunity by Shp1/Ptpn6 phosphatase”, presented at ALW Platform Molecular Genetics Annual Meeting October 06- 07, 2011, Lunteren, Netherlands

18. Presentation title, “The Ptpn6 (Shp-1) phosphatase functions as a negative regulator of the innate immune response in zebrafish embryos”, presented at 7th European Zebrafish Meeting, July 5 - 9, 2011 Edinburgh, Scotland

19. Presentation title, “The Ptpn6 (Shp-1) phosphatase functions as a negative regulator of the innate immune response in zebrafish embryos”, presented at Zebrafish disease Models 4: Blood, Immunity, Cancer and Endothelial workshop, July 9-11, 2011, MRC Human genetics Unit Edinburgh, Scotland. (Poster prize)

20. Attended Smartmix symposium 20 February 2012 at VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, Netherlands

21. Attended Leiden Tuberculosis (TB) meeting 22 March, 2011

22. Attended ALW Platform Molecular Genetics Annual Meeting 6 & 7 October, 2011, Lunteren, Netherlands

 

CONFERENCES ORGANIZED /TRAININGS/RESOURCE PERSON

1.    International Fisheries and Aquaculture Conference on 30-31 January, 2019 at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences Lahore, Pakistan

2.    “New trends in natural sciences: from basics to applied” on October 25-27, 2017 at Lahore
college for women university, Lahore, Pakistan

3.    “Three day workshop on new trend in biological techniques” on September 13-15, 2017 at
Lahore college for women university, Lahore, Pakistan

4.    “International conference on solid state physics (ICSSP‟17)” on December 10-14, 2017 at
University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

5.    “International Aquaculture conference and Tilapia cooking exhibition” on January 6-8, 2016 at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

6.    Three day training on “Aquaculture and feed Management and Study tour of fish feed mills and fish ponds” on August 3-5, 2016 at Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Pakistan

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Aquaculture

Publications

1.    Hafeez R, Kanwal Z, Raza MA, Rasool S, Riaz S, Naseem S, Rabani S, Haider I, Ahmad N,
Alomar SY. Role of Citrullus colocynthis and Psidium guajava Mediated Green Synthesized
Silver Nanoparticles in Disease Resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila Challenge in Labeo
rohita. Biomedicines. 2023, 11(9): 2349. (IF: 4.7)

2.    Raza MA, Kanwal Z, Riaz S, Amjad M, Rasool S, Naseem S, Abbas N, Ahmad N, Alomar SY.In-Vivo Bactericidal Potential of Mangifera indica Mediated Silver Nanoparticles
against Aeromonas hydrophila in Cirrhinus mrigala. Biomedicines. 2023, 11(8): 2272. (IF: 4.7)

3.    Usman Z, Kanwal Z, Tayyeb A, Noshair I, Haider I, Ahmad N, Alomar SY. A Comparative
Analysis on the Innate Immune Responses of Cirrhinus mrigala Challenged with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Fusarium oxysporum. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2023, 24(15):12392. (IF: 5.6)

4.    Noshair I, Kanwal Z, Jabeen G, Arshad M, Yunus F-U-N, Hafeez R, Mairaj R, Haider I, Ahmad N, Alomar SY. Assessment of Dietary Supplementation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus Probiotic on Growth Performance and Disease Resistance in Oreochromis niloticus. Microorganisms. 2023,11(6):1423. (IF: 4.5)

5.    Pervaiz S, Kanwal Z, Manzoor F, Tayyeb A, Akram Q. Investigations on Blood Physiology,
Tissues Histology and Gene Expression Profile of Fusarium oxysporum Challenged Fish. Sains Malaysiana. 2022, 51(8), 2403-2414. (IF: 1.1)

6.    Rasool S, Tayyeb A, Raza MA, Ashfaq H, Perveen S, Kanwal Z, Riaz S, Naseem S, Abbas N, Ahmad N, Alomar SY. Citrullus colocynthis-mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their antiproliferative action against breast cancer cells and bactericidal roles against human pathogens. Nanomaterials. 2022, 12(21), 3781. (IF: 5.7)

7.    Jabeen G, Ishaq S, Arshad M, Fatima S, Kanwal Z, Ali F. Investigation on Immune-Related
Protein (Heat Shock Proteins and Metallothionein) Gene Expression Changes and Liver
Histopathology in Cadmium-Stressed Fish. BioMed Research International. 2022, (IF: 2.5)

8.    Rashid F, Pervaiz I, Malik H, Kanwal Z, Rafique M, Gillani SSA. Investigations on synergistic and antioxidant actions of medicinal plant-based biosynthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles against E. coli and K. pneumonia bacteria. Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening. 2022, 25(7), 1200-1206. (IF: 1.205)

9.    Perveen S, Ashfaq H, Ambreen S, Ashfaq I, Kanwal Z, Tayyeb A. Methanolic extract of
Citrullus colocynthis suppresses growth and proliferation of breast cancer cells through regulation of cell cycle. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2021, 28:1, 879-886. (IF: 2.802)

10. Fatima S, Manzoor F, Amman H, Kanwal Z, Latif A, Ali Z, Gondal HI, Sajjad S, Janjua RS.
Supplementation of Soy Based Feed with Linseed and its Effects on Growth and Fatty Acid Profile in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 2021, 1-7. (IF: 0.790)

11. Shafqat Rasool, Muhammad Akram Raza,Farkhanda Manzoor, Zakia Kanwal, Saira Riaz,
Muhammad Javaid Iqbal and Shahzad Naseem, “Biosynthesis, characterization and anti-dengue vector activity of silver nanoparticles prepared from Azadirachta indica and Citrullus
colocynthis” Royal Society Open Science, 2020, 7:200540. (IF: 2.515)

12. Mateen Arshad, Farkhanda Manzoor, Ghazala Jabeen, Zakia Kanwal, Ummarah Javed, Faiza
Butt, “Assessment of abnormalities in lipid profiles of patients with chronic kidney disease from different hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan: A case control study” Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 2020, 70:10, 1838-1840. (IF: 0.409)

13. Zakia Kanwal and Asima Tayyeb, “Role of dietary probiotic Ecotec in growth enhancement,
thyroid tuning, hematomorphology and resistance to pathogenic challenge in Labeo
rohita juveniles” Journal of Applied Animal Research, 2019, 47:1, 394-402. (IF: 1.092)

14. Zakia Kanwal, MA Raza, F Manzoor, M Arshad, F Rashid, S Riaz, S Pervaiz S Naseem,”In vivo anti-proliferative activity of silver nanoparticles against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in freshwater Labeo rohita” Applied Nanoscience, 2019, 9:2039-2049. (IF: 3.198)

15. Zakia Kanwal, MA Raza, S Riaz, S Manzoor, A Tayyeb, I Sajid, S Naseem “Synthesis and
characterization of silver nanoparticle-decorated cobalt nanocomposites (AgNPs) and their
density-dependent antibacterial activity” Royal Society Open Science, 2019, 6 (5), 182135. (IF: 2.515)

16. Julien Rougeot, Vincenzo Torraca, Ania Zakrzewska, Zakia Kanwal, Hans J. Jansen, Frida
Sommer, Herman P. Spaink and Annemarie H. Meijer “RNAseq Profiling of Leukocyte
Populations in Zebrafish Larvae Reveals a cxcl11 Chemokine Gene as a Marker of MacrophagePolarization During Mycobacterial Infection” Frontiers in Immunology, 2019, 10:832. (IF: 4.716)

17. Zakia Kanwal, Muhammad Akram Raza, Farkhanda Manzoor, Saira Riaz, Ghazala Jabeen,
Shafaq Fatima, Shahzad Naseem “A Comparative Assessment of Nanotoxicity Induced by Metal (Silver, Nickel) and Metal Oxide (Cobalt, Chromium) Nanoparticles in Labeo rohita”
Nanomaterials, 2019, 9(2):309. (IF: 4.034)

18. Shafaq Fatima, Shadab Izhar, Zaeema Usman, Farzana Rashid, Zakia Kanwal, Ghazala Jabeen and Asma Abdul Latif “Effects of High Stocking Density on Condition Factor and Profile of Free Thyroxine and Cortisol in Catla catla (Hamilton, 1822) and Labeo rohita (Hamilton, 1822)” Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 2018, 18, 217-221. (IF: 0.738)

19. Muhammad Akram Raza, Anam Habib, Zakia Kanwal, Syed Sajjad Hussain, Muhammad Javaid Iqbal, Murtaza Saleem, Saira Riaz and Shahzad Naseem “Optical CO2 Gas Sensing Based on TiO2 Thin Films of Diverse Thickness Decorated with Silver Nanoparticles” Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2018, 2018, 12. (IF: 1.399)

20. Zakia Kanwal, M. Akram Raza, Anum Rauf, Anjum Nasim Sabri,Saira Riaz and Shahzad
Naseem “Size- and Shape-Dependent Antibacterial Studies of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Wet Chemical Routes”. Nanomaterials, 2016, 6(4), 74. (IF: 4.034)

21. Zakia Kanwal, Geert F Wiegertjes, Wouter J Veneman, Annemarie H Meijer, Herman P Spaink “Comparative studies of Toll-like receptor signalling using zebrafish” Developmental & Comparative Immunology, 2014, 46(1), 35-52. (IF: 3.119)

22. Zakia Kanwal, Anna Zakrzewska, Jeroen den Hertog, Herman P Spaink, Marcel JM Schaaf,
Annemarie H Meijer, “Deficiency in hematopoietic phosphatase ptpn6/Shp1 hyperactivates the innate immune system and impairs control of bacterial infections in zebrafish embryos” The Journal of Immunology, 2013, 190(4), 1631-1645. (IF: 4.716)

23. Zakia Kanwal, Anita Ordas Valesca Lindenberg, Julien Rougeot, Matyas Mink, Herman P
Spaink, Annemarie H Meijer, “MicroRNA-146 function in the innate immune transcriptome
response of zebrafish embryos to Salmonella typhimurium infection” BMC genomics,
2013, 14(1), 1. (IF: 3.501)

24. Chao Cui, Erica L Benard, Zakia Kanwal, Oliver W Stockhammer, Michiel van der Vaart, Anna Zakrzewska, Herman P Spaink, Annemarie H Meijer, “Infectious disease modeling and innate immune function in zebrafish embryos” Methods in Cell Biology, 2011, 105, 273-308. (IF:1.698)

PUBLICATIONS IN OTHER JOURNALS

1.    Farkhanda Manzoor, Zakia Kanwal, Iqra Naseer. “Nanotechnology and a trend towards green synthesis” Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences. 2018, 16: 1‐7

2.    Farzana Rashid, Iqra Pervaiz, Shafaq Fatima, Sumaira Sajjad, Zakia Kanwal, Hunaiza Tahir and Husna Malik “Antimicrobial Behavior of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and β-Lactam Antibiotics against Pathogenic Bacteria” Archives of Clinical Microbiology, 2017, 8, 1-5

3.    Farzana Rashid, Fatima Amjad Butt, Sobia Nasreen, Fakhr Un Nisa, Zakia Kanwal, Afshan
Kaleem And Syeda Andleeb. “In Vitro Antimicrobial And Antioxidant Activities Of Two
Medicinal Plants Against Some Clinically Important Bacteria” FUUAST Journal of Biology,
2016, 6(1) 103-107

4.    Shafaq Fatima, Shadab Izhar, Zaeema Usman, Farzana Rashid, Zakia Kanwal, Ghazala Jabeen, Asma Latif. “The Role of Crowding stress on Growth and Level of Thyroxine in major Carp Labeo Rohita” Lasbela, U. J. Sci. Techl., 2016, V 1-6

5.    Fakhar-un-Nisa Yunus, Madiha Iqbal, Khajista Jabeen, Zakia Kanwal, Farzana Rashid.
“Antagonistic Activity of Pseudomonas fluorescens against Fungal Plant Pathogen Aspergillus niger” Science Letters, 2016, 4(1), 66-70.

6.    Farkhanda Manzoor, Hina Farooq, Zakia Kanwal, Fehmeeda Bibi “A Study on Dengue
Knowledge, Attitude, Practices and their Impact on Aedes aegypti Population in Lahore,
Pakistan”. Pak. j. life soc. Sci. 2015, 13(3): 145‐152

7.    Julien Rougeot, Ania Zakrzewska, Zakia Kanwal, Hans J Jansen, Herman P Spaink, Annemarie H Meijer “RNA sequencing of FACS-sorted immune cell populations from zebrafish infection models to identify cell specific responses to intracellular pathogens” Methods in Molecular Biology (Host-Bacteria Interactions: Methods and Protocols ), 2014, 1197, 261-274.

SDG's

LCWU

Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road, Lahore.
+92-42-99203801-9

LCWU Contact Directory