HI! I am a veterinary microbiologist and currently serve as a Scientific Officer at the Animal Health Research Laboratories, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad. Pakistan. I am exploring the role of bats in maintaining ecosystems and their potential for pathogen spillover. Bats have been identified as natural reservoir hosts for several emerging viruses that can cause severe diseases in humans. Despite being often misunderstood, bats are crucial to our environment and economy. They play a vital role in pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal. However, due to human activities, bat populations have been declining worldwide, resulting in the loss of their habitats. Therefore, I aim to become a bat ambassador by raising awareness about the importance of preserving natural bat habitats and maintaining a balanced ecosystem to prevent any potential pathogen spillover.
Dr. Muhammad Farooq Tahir
Apart from my work in the field of public health, I also have a keen interest in the study of bats. Bats are fascinating creatures that play an important ecological role as pollinators, seed dispersers, and insect controllers. However, they are often misunderstood and subject to negative perceptions due to their association with diseases like COVID-19.
Dr. Hamid Irshad
Hi! I am research scientist at the Animal Sciences Institute (ASI) of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council. With a background in Animal Science and Food Science, I have contributed significantly to the field of animal research through my work in disease control and management. One of my primary interests lies in the study of zoonoses. I have always found bats to be a fascinating subject of study due to their unique physiology and behavior. However, recent outbreaks of zoonotic diseases such as Ebola, Nipah, and SARS have further piqued my interest in the potential role of bats as carriers of infectious diseases.
Dr. Sajida Noreen
I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Haripur, Pakistan. My work focuses on different aspects of bats, including bat ecological studies, bat reproduction, and roosting habitat.
Dr. Shafique Ahmed Awan
Hi! I am working as lecturer in University of Central Punjab. I am also managing editor for ALS Journal. I have been actively involved in international lobbying and liason development for internationalization of Pakistani higher education.
Dr. Ubaid-ur-Rehman Zia
Hi! I am currently working as lecturer of Epidemiology and Public Health in University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pakistan. I am working on infectious disease epidemiology. I am eager to develop mathematical and statistical models for zoonotic diseases prediction.
Dr. Ali Zohaib
I am working as Assistant Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health in The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. My research is dedicated to emerging zoonotic infections and their interactions with variable hosts including bats. In addition, I have been trained for the development of serological assays and performing sero-epidemiological studies.
Dr. Touseef Ahmed
Hi! I am One Health advocate with academic background in veterinary medicine, infectious disease epidemiology and wildlife zoonotic disease ecology. My research aims to advance knowledge on environmental extremes and land use implications for zoonotic disease emergence, particularly bat borne zoonotic pathogen “infect–shed–spill–spread” cascade, to enable the protection of landscape immunity, as a conservation and bio security priority. I have examined the impact of extreme heat on Indian flying foxes (Pteropus medius) in Pakistan and determined temperature threshold that precipitate heat stress in Pteropus medius at roost level. I am exploring how extreme heat event and land use compromise the landscape and host immunity, which can result in pathogen and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) environmental propagation with serious One Health implications. I am eager to develop heat stress forecaster and habitat suitability models for Indian flying foxes and conduct serological surveillance to help me better understand changes in the immune system and host behavior which can mediate zoonotic disease spillover.
Dr. Muhammad Naeem Awan
Dr. Naeem Awan is senior wildlife conservationist and ecologist. He is heading Earth Day.Org mission in Pakistan. He also served as conservation officer for WWF Pakistan and Former CEO of Himalayan Nature Conservation Foundation.
Dr. Arshad Javid
Dr. Arshad Javid is working as Associate Professor and Chairman in the Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore. Dr. Arshad is a wildlife biologist and has a good understanding of wildlife conservation issues and their management.
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