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Tariq Shehzad

**** ******* ***, *** **** *****

[+1-706-***-****] [ad0nvt@r.postjobfree.com]

Summary

Accomplished biologist, academician and leader with 13+ years of experience in leading research in Biological Sciences focusing on Molecular Biology, Genetics, Genome based Breeding.

Effective and confident science communicator, both oral and written, making complex scientific concepts accessible to audiences of various backgrounds, thereby engendering trust and respect of peers and collaborators. Also possess a strong publication record in major research journals.

Outstanding soft-skills allowing for the development and maintenance of professional relationships with students, colleagues and management in Research as well as academia. Lead and completed several projects on molecular breeding, genetics and genomics with collaborators from different research and teaching organizations across the globe.

Learned and effectively utilized skills and expertise in genetics and genomics in academia as well as in industrial research.

Work Experience

Senior Research Scientist – Molecular Technology and Genomics [Jun 2022 – Aug 2023] Syngenta Crop Protection LLC. Research Triangle Park, NC

• Assay design and validation for GM/GE traits in crops.

• Development and implementation of new technologies in Pipeline Enablement.

• Stewardship Quality Control (SQC) panel creation.

• Utilization of sequencing platform in GM/GE pipeline. Scientist – Molecular Analytics (Bioinformatics and Genotyping) [Aug 2020 – Jun 2022] Syngenta Crop Protection LLC. Research Triangle Park, NC

• Worked in Technology Evaluation Team of Molecular Analytics on evaluating new technologies in molecular biology, genetics, and genomics.

• Assay design and validation in Marker Technology team for Flowers, Maize, Sweetcorn and Oilseed rape targeting important quantitative and qualitative traits.

• Developed and implemented an improved Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing platform.

• Worked on projects like single cell/spatial genomics for disease resistance.

• Targeted Genotyping by Sequencing using Allegro kits and CSPR-Cas9 technologies.

• HiRes Recombination hotspots for safe harbors for target insertions in soybean and maize.

• Leading projects on Molecular assay development and validation for Cytoplasm Male Sterility

(CMS) in maize, barley and wheat.

• Lead projects in Organellar (chloroplast, mitochondria) genome sequencing and analysis. Assistant Professor [Aug 2019 – Aug 2020]

Qatar University, Doha-Qatar

2

• Teaching undergraduate courses of General Biology, Special Topics, Plant Physiology, Tissue Culture and Genetic Engineering.

• Teaching and supervising graduate students in Plant Molecular Genetics. Assistant Research Scientist [Jan 2015 – Jun 2019] University of Georgia

• Genetic analysis of tetraploid cotton’s NAM (Nested Association Mapping Populations).

• Developed and utilized GBS (Genotyping by Sequencing) platform in cotton, sorghum, brassica etc.

• Evaluated important agronomic traits by Implementing HTP (High Throughput Phenotyping) system Identified several QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) with high efficiency using linkage and association mapping approaches.

• Collaborated in projects with Assiut University, Egypt on sorghum genetics including charcoal rot resistance, drought tolerance and heavy metal accumulation.

• Collaborated with University of Nizwa, Oman on genome sequence and analyses of Boswellia and Commiphora Spp.

• Collaborated in AFRI/USDA project on “The evolution of an invasive plant, Sorghum halepense L. (Johnsongrass)”.

• Collaborated in AFRI/USDA project on “Enriching the gene pool of upland cotton”. Assistant Professor [Jun 2012 – Dec 2014]

University of Tsukuba

• Served as a faculty member of North African Research Center (ARENA) at University of Tsukuba and worked on the valorization of bioresources in North African countries.

• Involved in different research projects with students, researchers and faculty from North Africa working on mapping QTLs responsible for abiotic stress tolerance including salinity and drought.

• Collaboration with several well-known research groups on different topics related to breeding, genetics and genomics of Abiotic and Biotic stresses in crops.

• Coordinated and mentored students in one of the doctoral programs of the University of Tsukuba under Global 30 (G30) called Arid Land Resources Science Course.

• Taught variety of courses including Plant Breeding and Genetics, Computational Biology, Quantitative Genetics, Ecology, Population Genetics, Crop Adaptation and Evolution, Plant Physiology, Advanced Plant Breeding, Statistical Genomics, Abiotic stresses etc.

• Used and provided training on advanced molecular tools in biology.

• Designed and developed a new course for graduate course of Statistical Genetics and Genomics.

Postdoctoral Researcher [Jul 2009 – Mar 2012]

University of Tsukuba

• QTL mapping of yield and yield components in Sorghum.

• Selected as foreign fellow of Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) (2 years) to study the genetic analysis of allelopathic characteristics in sorghum.

• Affiliated with North African Research Center (ARENA) at University of Tsukuba and worked in Japanese SATREPS project of the valorization of bioresources in Tunisia. 3

Education

University of Tsukuba Tsukuba, Japan

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Agricultural Science [Jun 2009] Biosphere Resources Science and Technology /Plant Genetics and Breeding Science

• Recipient of merit scholarship and teaching assistance. The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

MSc. (Hons) in Plant Breeding and Genetics [Dec 2003]

• Recipient of merit scholarship.

• Second position in the department The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan. The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Pakistan

BSc. (Hons) in Plant Breeding and Genetics [Dec 2001]

• Recipient of merit scholarship.

Research Areas and Specialization

• Conventional Plant Breeding and development of new varieties.

• Field crop experimental designs.

• Molecular Biology, Genetics and Genomics.

• Next generation sequencing (NGS) and genome analysis.

• Plant genetics and genome-based breeding.

• Biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in crops.

• Use of bioinformatic tools in biology.

• Population genetics, ecology, and evolution.

Techniques, Software & Instrumentation

Molecular Assays development and validation Chromatography Mass spectrometry NGS QTL/Association mapping Gene editing and cloning Tissue culture qPCR SDS PAGE GBS pipeline Microscopy High throughput Phenotyping Experimental designs Python/Unix/Java/C++/R Yield trails Growth chamber Controlled Environment Breeding Quantitative Genetics Plant Breeding Marker Assisted/Genomic Selection

Affiliations &/ Hobbies

Member of Presidents Program for Care of Highly Qualified Overseas Pakistanis National Talent Pool, Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training, Gov. of Pakistan.

• Foreign expert of PhD thesis evaluation committee, Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.

• Coordinator Univ. of Tsukuba Alumni Association for North America and Canada.

• Member Japan Society for Promotion of Sciences (JSPS) US-Alumni. 4

• Editorial member of 8 scientific journals and reviewer of several reputed journals. Awards and Achievements

• Cotton Incorporated Fellowship, Year 2014.

• Nominated for Marquis Who’s Who in the World for 2013-2018 additions.

• Japan Society for Promotion of Science (JSPS) Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, April 2010 to March 2012.

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow: University of Tsukuba, Japan, July 2009 to March 2010.

• Research Associate: University of Tsukuba, Japan, April 2009 to June 2009.

• Teaching Assistance: University of Tsukuba, Year 2006.

• Research Assistance: University of Tsukuba, Year 2007 and 2008.

• Second position in MSc (Hons) (Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics, NWFP Agricultural University Peshawar) with CGPA 3.94/4.00, Year 2004.

• Merit Scholarship in all four years of BSc (Hons) and two years of MSc (Hons) (1998-2003) Published Professional Interviews.

• Interviewed by local representative of AAJ TV (Pakistani TV channel) in 2009 for research accomplishments after getting PhD from Japan.

• Interviewed by University of Tsukuba for Alumni webpage (04/2016) http://www.tsukuba.ac.jp/tsukuba-alumni/ta201604181805.html. For Publications and Profile please see,

Tariq Shehzad LinkedIn

Tariq Shehzad - Google Scholar

Tariq Shehzad (researchgate.net)

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