Faculty profile

Dr. Muhammad Rafiq

Assistant Professor

Physiology & Biochemistry — Faculty of Biosciences

Phone
+923406299992
Office
Academic Block-1
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Dr. Muhammad Rafiq

Biography

Dr. Muhammad Rafiq is an Assistant Professor of Biochemistry in the Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (CUVAS), Bahawalpur, where he has been serving since November 2018. He has extensive academic, teaching, research, and administrative experience in Biochemistry, Enzymology, Medicinal Chemistry, Natural Products, and Bioactive Compounds. He obtained his Ph.D. in Biochemistry (2011–2015) from Kongju National University, Republic of Korea, following an M.Sc. in Biochemistry (2005–2007) from Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, and a B.Sc. (2003–2005) from Government College Layyah, affiliated with Bahauddin Zakariya University. His doctoral research focused on the isolation, synthesis, enzyme inhibition, and kinetic characterization of bioactive compounds.

Academic and Administrative Experience At CUVAS, Dr. Rafiq has served as Officer In-Charge, Department of Physiology & Biochemistry, and Assistant Director, Advanced Studies and Research, in addition to his faculty responsibilities. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Government College University Faisalabad, Sub-Campus Layyah, and The Islamia University of Bahawalpur. He also has teaching and laboratory experience at Kongju National University, Republic of Korea, and other educational institutions.

Research Interests His multidisciplinary research focuses on enzyme inhibition and kinetics, bioactive compounds, medicinal chemistry, natural products, and computational biochemistry. His major research areas include: • Enzyme inhibition, kinetics, and inhibitor screening • Isolation, purification, and characterization of bioactive compounds • Natural products and medicinal plant research • Tyrosinase, urease, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors • Anti-diabetic, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-Alzheimer’s agents • Medicinal chemistry and bioactive heterocyclic compounds • Molecular docking, molecular dynamics, and DFT studies • Drug delivery systems and nanomaterials • Electrochemical and spectroscopic characterization • Cosmetic materials and preservative development

Research Publications Dr. Rafiq has contributed to 64 research articles, with a cumulative reported impact factor of 205.39 according to his CV. His publications cover enzyme inhibition, medicinal chemistry, natural products, fluorescence sensing, drug delivery, molecular docking, DFT, antioxidant activity, and biological evaluation of bioactive compounds. His work has appeared in international journals including PLOS ONE, Journal of Molecular Liquids, New Journal of Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry Communications, Molecules, Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry, European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, Applied Surface Science, Bioorganic Chemistry, Scientific Reports, and others.

Postgraduate Supervision Dr. Rafiq has substantial postgraduate research supervision experience and has successfully supervised 35 M.S. students in Biochemistry. His supervision areas include enzyme inhibition, natural products, medicinal biochemistry, bioactive compounds, antioxidant studies, molecular docking, computational biochemistry, and biochemical and analytical investigations.

Patents and Scholarly Contributions He has contributed to patented research through the Kongju National University Industry-University Cooperation Foundation, including a patent concerning a novel 1,2,4-triazole compound and pharmaceutical composition for urease inhibition. He has also contributed scholarly book chapters on industrial biochemistry, drug development, fluorescence research, and non-coding RNAs, including publications through Springer.

Conferences, Training, and International Experience Dr. Rafiq has participated in national and international conferences and scientific meetings in Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, and the United States, presenting research in enzyme inhibition, medicinal chemistry, synthesis of bioactive compounds, and biological activity assessment. He has delivered invited lectures on enzyme assays and kinetic investigations at academic institutions including Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, and the University of Okara. He has completed professional training in faculty competency enhancement, biochemical and molecular techniques, X-ray crystallography, biodiversity techniques, and data analysis using R. His doctoral and research experience in the Republic of Korea, together with international scientific exposure, has strengthened his multidisciplinary approach integrating biochemistry, chemistry, enzymology, medicinal chemistry, and computational science.

Teaching and Current Academic Focus Dr. Rafiq is committed to research-oriented teaching, laboratory-based learning, critical thinking, and the integration of experimental, analytical, and computational approaches. His current academic and research activities at CUVAS focus on enzyme-based assays, bioactive compounds, natural products, medicinal chemistry, molecular docking, DFT studies, drug delivery systems, and analytical characterization. His broader objective is to advance interdisciplinary research and postgraduate training through collaborations spanning biochemistry, chemistry, veterinary sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and computational science.

Research interests

Biochemistry and enzyme research Enzyme kinetics and inhibition mechanisms IC50 and Ki determination HPLC and chromatographic techniques UV-Vis fluorescence IR and NMR spectroscopy Mass spectrometry and atomic absorption Voltammetry and electroanalysis Extraction and isolation of bioactive compounds Tyrosinase and cholinesterase assays α-Glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition Urease carbonic anhydrase and phosphatase assays Antioxidant assays: DPPH FRAP NO SOD and ABTS Medicinal plant bioactive compounds Flavonoids and carotenoids

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