Biography:
Prof. Dr. Zahoor ul Hussain Awan is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Chemical Engineering with over 15 years of university level teaching and research experience. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Chonbuk National University, Republic of Korea, where his doctoral research focused on the evaluation of electrocatalytic properties of nanostructured manganese oxides for nonaqueous lithium-air batteries. He also holds a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi. Throughout his career at NED University, he has served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Chairperson of the Department of Food Engineering. He has supervised numerous research projects in energy storage, nanomaterials, catalysis, and advanced materials, and is an HEC-approved Ph.D. supervisor with an extensive publication record in high-impact international journals. He has also served as Conference Secretary for international conferences on advanced materials and process engineering and is a member of the Pakistan Engineering Council. Currently, he is serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering at NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi, Pakistan.

Area of Specialization:

Prof. Dr. Zahoor ul Hussain Awan specializes in electrochemical energy storage systems, particularly lithium-air (Li-O₂) batteries, electrocatalysis, and nanostructured transition metal oxides. His research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of advanced nanomaterials, bifunctional catalysts, graphene-based composites, and electrode materials for high-performance energy storage devices. He also has expertise in reaction engineering, advanced process control, chemical process design, and nanocomposite materials development for sustainable energy applications.

Research Interests:

• Advanced electrochemical energy storage systems, particularly lithium-air (Li-O₂) and lithium-ion batteries
• Design and synthesis of nanostructured transition metal oxides for catalytic and energy applications
• Electrocatalysis for oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR/OER)
• Development of bifunctional catalysts and hybrid nanocomposites
• Graphene-based and carbon-supported electrode materials
• Nanomaterials for supercapacitors and electrochemical sensors
• Sustainable and high-performance materials for next-generation energy technologies

Funding: Total approved grant portfolio: PKR 33.6 million

• NRPU Grant for Battery Development
• NED UET Grant for Carbon-based cathode materials development for air batteries
• NED UET Grant for Project: Membranes for air batteries
• NED UET Grant for Cathode materials development for air batteries
• NED UET Grant for Li-Ion battery development
• NRPU Grant for Design and development of reference electrodes for electrochemical experiments.
• NED UET Grant for predictive modeling of MnO2-based electrochemical kinetics
• PSF Grant for TEGDME battery liquid electrolyte development
• SHEC Research Grant for MXene-based Cathode Development
• SHEC Research Grant for Solid-state Electrolyte Development

Education:

• Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering                                                          (2011-2014)

Chonbuk National University, Republic of Korea Dissertation: Evaluation of electrocatalytic properties of nanostructured manganese oxides for nonaqueous lithium–air batteries.

• M.E. in Chemical Engineering                                                            (2009-2010)

NED University of Engineering & Technology

• B.E. in Mechanical Engineering                                                         (1995-2000)

NED University of Engineering & Technology

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0000-0003-3654-0714 | CV

Biography:
Dr Tariq Iqbal has secured his PhD degree in Food Packaging - Modified Atmosphere Packaging at University College Cork, Ireland and received master of engineering science (MEngSc) degree in Food Process Engineering (Food Powders Handling and Processing) from the same Department and University in Ireland. He had also got another master degree in Economics. He had graduated in BSc Agricultural Engineering honours from Engineering University Peshawar Pakistan. He has worked for postdoctoral and faculty positions in Ireland, USA and Malaysia. All together Dr Tariq Iqbal has approximately 17 years of teaching and research experience in food process engineering, food packaging, food powders handling and processing and renewable energy.

Area of Specialization:

Food Packaging (Modified Atmosphere Packaging of fresh produce)
Food Powders handling, storage and processing
Renewable Energy- Bioenergy (chopped and whole biomass storage and processing)

Research Interests:

I have performed research in two main areas of food process engineering ie food packaging (Modified Atmosphere Packaging), food powders handling and processing and also in renewable energy (bioenergy ie biomass storage and processing). I wish to enhance and broaden my research skills in all these research fields and all other relevant research areas in food process engineering. I would like to develop predictive mathematical models for optimum package design of different fresh and fresh-cut produce (fruit and vegetables) which will increase their sensory value and shelf life. Some of my future research plans are as follows:
 

1- Food Packaging: Design of Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) for fresh and fresh-cut product
2- Postharvest study (product variability, Quality parameters, sensory analysis) for Fresh fruit and vegetables
3- Bioenergy- biomass storage and processing
4- The effect of different storage conditions on the flowability of specified food powders and their silo design

Education:

PhD:  Process and Chemical Engineering (Food Process Engineering)- University College Cork Ireland
MEngSc:  Food Process Engineering - University College Cork Ireland
MA:  Economics – University of Peshawar
BSc:  Agricultural Engineering Honours- Engineering University Peshawar

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Biography:
Associate Professor Dr Syed Ali Ammar Taqvi  is a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Chemical Engineering with over 15 years of university level teaching and research experience. Dr. Syed Ali Ammar Taqvi received his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS (Malaysia) in 2020. He also holds a Master’s and Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi.  He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Food Engineering, NED University of Engineering & Technology (Pakistan). He has previously served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor and Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering from 2011 - 2025. He has supervised 5 PhDs and 3 Masters thesis so fat. His research interests include Fault Detection and Diagnosis using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning algorithms; process modeling and simulation; process safety; multivariate statistical methods for monitoring and diagnostics of industrial process systems; simulation and control of CO2 capture systems; and predictive modeling in renewable energy. He has been a “Best Researcher Award” for the last five years at NEDUET. His impressive publication record includes 105 research papers in ISI and SCOPUS-indexed journals, 15 conference proceedings, and 18 book chapters (4200 Citations; h-index 33 and i10 index 70). He is currently serving as an Editorial Board Member of two Elsevier International Q1 Journals. 

Area of Specialization:

●    Process Modeling & Simulation (Aspen Plus / HYSYS)
●    Advanced Process Control & Monitoring
●    Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning for Process Systems
●    Renewable/Clean Energy Systems (e.g., gasification, hydrogen, CO₂ capture)
●    Fault Detection & Diagnosis in Chemical Processes

Research Interests:

●    AI/ML-driven fault detection, diagnosis, and prognostics in process plants (distillation, gas processing, AGRU)
●    Data-driven and hybrid (first-principles + ML) soft sensors and process monitoring frameworks
●    Advanced control strategies (MPC/AI-based control) for nonlinear and energy-intensive units (e.g., absorption/stripping)
●    Process simulation and optimization for clean energy pathways (biomass/waste-to-energy, hydrogen, LNG, gasification)
●    Techno-economic + exergy/exergo-environmental assessment of sustainable energy and carbon-capture systems
●    CO₂ capture and natural gas sweetening using advanced solvents/ionic liquids; performance and sustainability trade-offs

Funding: 

• Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Gas Processing Plant, Funded by Ministry of Science and Technology - [MoST Endowment Fund, Granted: PKR 1.7 Million, Duration: 36 Months, PI - 2024
• Influence of Different Morphologies of Manganese-based Cathode Material for Lithium-Air Batteries – An Experimental and Predictive Analysis Study [MoST Endowment Fund, Granted: PKR 3.0 Million – Co-PI-2024]
• Bench-scale demonstration of an Integrated Waste-to-Energy Process for Municipal Solid Waste Management: A Step Toward Sustainable Circular Economy, (NRPU). [Granted: PKR 11.1 Million, Duration: 36 Months, CO-PI-2023]
• Optimizing Pyrolysis Oil Yield from Municipal Solid Waste, ASRB, NED UET [Granted: PKR 0.5 Million, PI-2024]
• Fault Detection and Diagnosis in Gas Processing Plant – A Simulation-based Study, (NED Alumni Association Southern California (NEDAASC) [Granted: PKR 1.68 Million, PI-2023]
• Intelligent Control of VCM Production Process, ASRB, NED UET [Granted: PKR 0.6 Million, PI-2022]

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Engineering (2015-2020)
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia (UTP), Malaysia

Master in Chemical Engineering (2011-2013)
NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering (2007-2010)
NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
 

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0000-0002-4401-4493 | Web of science | CV

Biography:Dr Nisar Shar is a bioinformatician with approximately 17 years of teaching and research experience in genetic regulation and computational genomics. He completed his BS in Bioinformatics from COMSATS Institute of Information Technology in 2008 and earned his PhD in Bioinformatics (Genetic Regulation) from the University of Leeds in 2017. From 2021 to 2023, he undertook postdoctoral research at the UCL Institute of Neurology, focusing on regulatory mechanisms in Parkinson’s disease.
 

Area of Specialization:

●    Bioinformatics, Epigenetics, Computational Neuroscience

Research Interests:

I am interested in developing predictive methods for biological problems using machine learning and statistical approaches, with a focus on gene regulation and multi-omics data integration. I have developed computational methods to predict transcription factor mutual (protein–protein) interactions from ChIP-seq data generated by the ENCODE Project Consortium and performed conservation analyses of functional genomic regions. We identified regulatory regions for ~9,000 genes, many implicated in cancer, and showed that these regions harbour a high frequency of somatic mutations, suggesting positive selection. 

During my postdoctoral fellowship at the UCL Institute of Neurology, I investigated the regulatory architecture of Parkinson's disease using single-cell multi-omics data to uncover gene regulatory mechanisms underlying disease risk and progression.
 

Funding: 

• SRGP (Start-Up Research Grant Program)
• HEC Research grant for establishment of National Center of Big Data and Cloud Computing

Education:

• BS (Bioinformatics)-COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad
• PhD (Bioinformatics)-University of Leeds

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0000-0002-1293-8894 | CV

Biography:

Dr. Jawaad Ahmed Ansari is an academic professional and researcher specializing in food engineering, advanced processing technologies, and functional materials for food systems. He holds a PhD in Chemical and Materials Engineering from University of Auckland. He also earned his M.Phil, M.Sc, and B.Sc (Hons) in Food Science and Technology from University of Karachi, building a solid academic foundation in food processing, preservation, and quality assurance.
Professionally, he has gained valuable industry experience through his work with Kind Food Private Limited and SGS Pakistan, where he was involved in food quality evaluation, safety standards, and applied industrial practices. These experiences strengthened his understanding of real-world food production challenges and regulatory requirements.
In academia, he has contributed extensively to teaching, research, and academic development at NED University of Engineering and Technology. His work focuses on advancing innovative food processing technologies, sustainable preservation strategies, and interdisciplinary research that bridges engineering principles with practical food industry applications.
Through a combination of strong academic training, industrial exposure, and teaching experience, Dr. Jawaad continues to contribute to research and education aimed at improving food safety, quality, and sustainability in modern food systems.
 

Area of Specialization:

●    Emerging and hybrid food preservation technologies, including UV-C, ultrasonication, and thermal–nonthermal processing for microbial safety.

●   Shelf-life extension and quality optimization of minimally processed foods through advanced process engineering and functional materials.

●   Bio-based preservation systems, encapsulation technologies, and active packaging for sustainable food protection.

Research Interests:

My research focuses on developing sustainable and innovative technologies to improve food preservation, safety, and quality, particularly in minimally processed food systems. I work on emerging and combined processing technologies such as ultraviolet (UV-C), ultrasonication, and thermal–nonthermal approaches to enhance microbial inactivation while preserving nutritional and sensory properties, especially in dairy and liquid foods. My interests also include shelf-life extension through process optimization and control of quality changes during preservation. In addition, I study interactions of bioactive compounds in food systems, advanced encapsulation methods, and bio-based edible coatings for postharvest preservation. Overall, my work integrates food engineering, materials science, and microbial control for sustainable food processing.

Funding: 

Education:

PhD (Chemical and Materials Engineering)     —    University of Auckland
M.Phil (Food Science and Technology)            —    University of Karachi 
M.Sc (Food Science and Technology)               —    University of Karachi 
B.Sc (Hons) (Food Science and Technology)   —    University of Karachi 

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0000-0002-4158-8643 | CV

Biography: Dr. Aisha Jilani is an accomplished academic and researcher in the field of engineering, currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Food Engineering. She began her professional career as a Lab Engineer at the National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) and has accumulated over 13 years of academic experience.
She holds a PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering from NED University of Engineering and Technology (2025). Prior to this, she completed her MS in Mechanical Engineering (2014) and B.E. in Mechanical Engineering (2012) from the National University of Engineering and Technology.
Her research interests focus on energy storage systems and renewable energy, particularly lithium air batteries, as well as the application of artificial neural networks (ANN) for predictive modeling in electrochemical systems. Her work integrates material synthesis, electrochemical characterization, and AI-assisted modeling, bridging experimental and computational approaches.
With expertise spanning mechanical engineering, renewable energy, and advanced electrochemical systems, she is dedicated to academic excellence, mentorship, and fostering collaborative, inclusive learning environments. Her goal is to shape the next generation of engineers and drive innovation through impactful teaching and research
.

Area of Specialization:

• Energy Storage Systems (Lithium Air Batteries)
• Renewable Energy Systems
• Electrochemical Systems 
• Material Synthesis and Electrochemical Characterization
• Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) in Engineering Applications
• AI-Assisted Modeling and Predictive Analysis

Research Interests:

 Dr. Aisha Jilani’s research interests lie in the areas of energy storage systems and renewable energy, with a particular focus on lithium–air batteries and advanced electrochemical technologies. Her work emphasizes the development and optimization of next-generation energy storage solutions through material synthesis and electrochemical characterization. She also specializes in the application of artificial neural networks (ANN) for predictive modeling and performance analysis in electrochemical systems, integrating artificial intelligence with experimental approaches. Her research aims to bridge the gap between computational modeling and practical engineering applications to support sustainable and efficient energy solutions..

Funding: 

Education:

• PhD in Chemical and Process Engineering, NED University of Engineering and Technology, 2025
• MS in Mechanical Engineering, National University of Engineering and Technology, 2014
• BE in Mechanical Engineering, National University of Engineering and Technology, 2012

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0009-0009-5904-6680 | CV

Biography: Ms.Alia Ahrar is currently serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Engineering at NED University of Engineering & Technology (NEDUET), Karachi, Pakistan. She joined NEDUET in July 2012 as a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering and was promoted to Assistant Professor in March 2018.
She completed her Master of Engineering (Chemical Engineering) in 2014 and her Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 2010 from NEDUET. Her academic and research career focuses on process engineering, alternative fuels, simulation, and applied chemical technologies.
She has supervised multiple industrially linked research projects and actively participates in academic conferences and research activities
 

Area of Specialization:

• Chemical Process Engineering
• Food Process Engineering
• Process Simulation and Modeling

Research Interests:

• Edible oil extraction
• Process simulation 

.Funding: 

Education:

• Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer and Petrochemical Engineering (Ongoing), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
• Master in chemical Engineering (chemical engineering) (2014), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
• Bachelors in chemical Engineering (2010), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

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Biography: Mr. Muhammad Hassam Siddiqui is serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Food Engineering at NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan. He is a registered Chemical Engineer (PEC Registration No. CHEM/10640) with a strong academic background and over six years of industrial experience in FMCG, chemical and process industries prior to joining academia in 2018.
He teaches core engineering subjects including Fluid Mechanics, and supervises laboratories in Unit Operations. He actively supervises undergraduate final year projects and coordinates industrial internships to strengthen academia–industry collaboration.
Before entering academia, he worked as a Process Engineer in the FMCG and chemical processing sector, where he gained extensive hands-on experience in high-pressure processing systems, fatty acid distillation, sulphuric acid production, LABSA manufacturing, process troubleshooting, plant optimization, and industrial safety management. This industrial exposure continues to strengthen his applied research perspective and enrich his teaching methodology through strong integration of practical engineering principles.
 

Area of Specialization:

• Fluid Mechanics

• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)

Research Interests:

• Bioconversion of the food waste.
• Emerging food processing technologies
  

Funding: 

Education:

• Master of Engineering (Chemical), NED University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan
• Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical), Dawood University of Engineering and Technology, Karachi, Pakistan

Google Scholar | ORCID: 0009-0004-7422-395X | CV

Biography:

Ms. Iqra Siddique is a researcher in food engineering with a focus on postharvest preservation, edible active coatings, and the extraction and characterization of bioactive compounds from fruit-based materials. Her research emphasizes sustainable and functional approaches to improve the shelf life, quality, and safety of fresh produce. She is actively engaged in experimental studies involving physicochemical analysis, natural coating formulations, and advanced food processing techniques, contributing to the development of environmentally friendly solutions for modern food systems.

Area of Specialization:

●    Postharvest Technology, Edible Active Coatings, Bioactive Compound Extraction, Food Quality & Safety, Process Optimization (RSM)

Research Interests:

●    Valorization of agro-waste into functional food applications
●    Shelf-life enhancement of climacteric fruits
●    Natural antioxidant and antimicrobial systems
●    Sustainable food processing technologies

Funding: 

Education:

Doctor of Philosophy in Polymer and Petrochemical Engineering (Ongoing),NEDUET, Karachi, Pakistan
 
Master in Engineering Management (Industrial Management) (2017), NEDUET, Karachi, Pakistan
 
Bachelors in Food Engineering (2015), NEDUET, Karachi, Pakistan

Google Scholar | ORCID: /0009-0009-8367-007X | CV

Biography:

Sadia Ahmed is a lecturer of Food Engineering at NED University of Engineering and Technology. She completed her BE in Food from NEDUET and stood second in the department. Her FYDP of BE, “Designing of Continuous High-Pressure Processing Combined with Thermal Treatment for Liquid Foods” was awarded as the best FYDP of 2020 by UAFA NEDUET. She was serving as a visiting faculty member in the Food Engineering Department, where she contributed to teaching laboratory and engineering courses. Her teaching experience includes courses, Unit Operations in Food Engineering and Heat and Mass Transfer, where she has conducted laboratory sessions to strengthen students conceptual and experimental understanding. In addition, she also conducted laboratory sessions in Oil and Fat Processing, Mechanics of Materials, and Food Plant Layout and Design. With a strong interest in thermal processing and food quality optimization, Sadia aims to pursue advanced research focusing on non-thermal techniques in stabilizing the quality and shelf life of food products. She is particularly interested in process design, modeling, and experimental analysis that improve food safety and product stability.

Area of Specialization:

●    Food Engineering

Research Interests:

Non-thermal Technique, High Pressure Processing

Funding: 

Education:

B.Engg (Food), NED University of Engineering and Technology (2021)
M.Engg (Chemical) NED University of Engineering and Technology (2024)
 

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