Agricultural Scientist & Computational Entomologist

Dr. Nazeer Ahmed

Guiyang, China +1-898-***-**** +923********* Email: ************@*****.*** LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nazeer-ahmed

Agricultural Scientist and Computational Entomologist

PhD-qualified Entomologist with over 7 years of research and teaching experience focused on sustainable crop protection, host-plant resistance, and the integration of field ecology with advanced molecular science. Extensive expertise in insect-plant volatile interactions, integrated pest management (IPM), and the computational discovery of novel agrochemicals using molecular docking, QSAR modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations. Proven record of academic research and international publication in insect behavior and resistance assessment, complemented by strong bioinformatics proficiency in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) analysis, R, and Python. Strong ability to translate complex computational data and ecological observations into actionable, environmentally responsible strategies for pest control and crop optimization.

Experience

Postdoctoral Researcher 1/11/2023-1/11/2025

My role involved investigating the mode of action of novel fungicides against economically important fungal pathogens of tea and vegetable crops using integrated experimental, multi-omics, and computational approaches.

Key responsibilities and technical competencies included:

Conducted in vitro and in vivo antifungal activity assays to evaluate fungicide efficacy and determine precise EC50 values against target phytopathogens.

Performed Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to visualize fungicide-induced morphological alterations in fungal hyphae, conidia, and spore germination structures.

Utilized Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) to examine ultrastructural cellular damage including cell wall thinning, membrane rupture, and organelle disruption.

Employed confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) with fluorescent probes to assess cell viability, mitochondrial membrane potential, and nuclear morphology changes post-treatment.

Executed quantitative Real-Time PCR (qPCR) analysis to assess the transcriptional regulation of fungicide target genes and pathogenesis-related pathways.

Investigated the impact of fungicide application on reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, membrane permeability, and lipid peroxidation in fungal cells.

Conducted enzyme inhibition assays to validate target engagement and quantify the inhibitory effect of fungicides on key metabolic enzymes.

Performed multi-omics data integration (transcriptomics and metabolomics) to elucidate global metabolic pathway alterations and resistance mechanisms in response to fungicide exposure.

Executed molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to predict binding modes, affinity, and interaction stability between fungicide ligands and target fungal proteins.

Applied Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations to analyze electronic properties, frontier molecular orbitals, and reactivity descriptors of novel fungicide scaffolds.

Department of Agriculture, University of Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Assistant Professor 05/2018 – 08/2024

I Served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Agriculture (Entomology) university of Swabi Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Job description includes:

Teaching courses in Plant Protection at graduate and postgraduate levels

Taught undergraduate courses in Entomology

Conducted and supervised practical laboratory sessions

Prepared, administered, and evaluated examinations.

Supervised student research and academic projects

Actively engaged in research activities and academic development

Contributed to departmental academic and administrative duties

northwest a&f university, Yangling-China

Seed Technologist/Research intern 10/9/2014-20/12/2017

My role involved assessing host-plant resistance in cabbage cultivars against the green peach aphid (Myzus persicae) and elucidating the role of herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) in mediating host selection behavior.

Key research activities and technical competencies included:

Evaluated antibiosis and antixenosis resistance mechanisms across multiple cabbage cultivars through controlled greenhouse and laboratory bioassays.

Quantified aphid population growth parameters, fecundity, and developmental indices to classify cultivar resistance levels.

Collected and analyzed herbivore-induced plant volatiles (HIPVs) using dynamic headspace sampling coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Identified and compared volatile organic compound (VOC) profiles emitted by resistant and susceptible cabbage cultivars under aphid infestation.

Conducted behavioral choice assays using Y-tube olfactometry to determine aphid preference and orientation responses toward volatile blends from different cultivars.

Correlated specific volatile compound emissions with observed aphid attraction or repellency to identify potential semiochemical cues.

Performed statistical analysis of behavioral and chemical data using R and specialized multivariate techniques to interpret VOC-activity relationships.

Synthesized findings to propose integrated pest management (IPM) strategies leveraging host-plant resistance and volatile-mediated behavioral manipulation.

Agriculture research institute paharpur (d.i.khan).

Seed Technologist/Research intern 1/1/2010-31/12/2010

My role involved supporting daily research operations in seed technology and storage entomology, providing early exposure to laboratory protocols, field data collection, and integrated pest management within a government agricultural research facility.

Key responsibilities included:

Conducting routine seed germination and viability tests under supervision, recording and organizing data for variety evaluation programs.

Assisting with the cleaning, sorting, and preparation of seed samples to remove inert matter and damaged seeds prior to storage.

Participating in regular inspections of seed storage rooms to monitor for stored grain insect pest activity.

Applying seed treatment (fungicide dressing) following standardized protocols under staff supervision.

Supporting field teams during planting and harvesting by labeling plots and collecting basic agronomic data from multi-location trials.

Participating in field roguing activities to assist breeders in maintaining genetic purity of foundation seed stocks.

Maintaining organized research records including seed inventory, source documentation, treatment applications, and moisture content readings

Shinwar restaurant Sargodha

Assistant Manager-Operations & Guest Regulations 10/2013 – 03/2014

My role involved overseeing daily operational workflows, supervising diverse staff teams, and ensuring exceptional service delivery standards in a fast-paced hospitality environment. This experience developed advanced competencies in personnel management, high-stakes communication, and operational problem-solving.

Key responsibilities and transferable professional competencies included:

Supervised and coordinated daily activities of front-of-house and support staff teams, ensuring efficient workflow and adherence to established operational protocols.

Managed scheduling, task delegation, and performance monitoring to optimize team productivity and maintain consistent service quality.

Addressed and resolved complex guest concerns and operational discrepancies with diplomacy and prompt decision-making, maintaining high satisfaction ratings.

Facilitated clear and effective cross-cultural communication between international guests and multilingual staff, demonstrating strong interpersonal and English language proficiency.

Maintained accurate administrative records including inventory logs, financial reconciliation reports, and staff attendance documentation.

Coordinated logistics for events and group accommodations, demonstrating capacity for project planning and resource allocation under deadline constraints.

Ensured strict compliance with health, safety, and hygiene regulations, reflecting a commitment to maintaining standardized operational integrity.

Developed resilience and composure in high-pressure situations, effectively prioritizing tasks and always maintaining professional decorum.

Education

Doctor of Philosophy: Agriculture (Entomology) Dec 2017

Northwest A&F University, Yangling China (China Scholarship Council)

Master of Science: M.Sc. (Hons)/ M.Phil. (Entomology) June 2012

The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan

Bachelor of Science: B. Sc. (Hons) (Entomology) Jan 2010

The University of Agriculture Peshawar-Pakistan

Research and Publication

Total No. of Publications:

38

Senior Author Publications: 13

h-Indexi42- index/: 10/43

Total no. of citations: 800

Source of citation data: Scopus/Google Scholar

Journal Articles: 28

Reviews: 5

Book Chapters: 5

International Conference participated: 1

Student supervised = 12 (Undergraduate Level)

Submitted Papers/Under review = 12 in channel

technical Skills

Conducted host-plant resistance assessments and insect behavioral choice assays using Y-tube olfactometry.

Analyzed herbivore-induced plant volatile (HIPV) profiles using dynamic headspace collection and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Investigated fungicide mechanisms of action through antifungal bioassays, SEM, TEM, and confocal laser scanning microscopy.

Applied qPCR and multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics and metabolomics) to elucidate gene expression and metabolic pathway alterations.

Performed computational chemistry analyses including molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations.

Utilized bioinformatics platforms (Galaxy) and statistical programming languages (R/RStudio, Python) for Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) data interpretation and multivariate statistical modeling.

Specialized in Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) modeling and pharmacophore analysis for rational agrochemical discovery.

Created publication-ready scientific figures and graphical abstracts using BioRender and other professional illustration tools.

Authored and co-authored peer-reviewed scientific publications with demonstrated expertise in manuscript preparation, data visualization, and scientific storytelling.

Designed, supervised, and reported on independent research projects from conceptualization through to publication.

Delivered university-level instruction and provided academic mentorship to undergraduate and graduate students.

Other Skills

Problem solving Self Driven Communication Analytical Organizational & Planning

PC/ Software: Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access),

Languages: English (Fluent) Urdu (Native) Chinese (Basic)

References

Dr. Rafi Ullah, Soil Scientist, Center of Excellence, Al Majal Al Arabi Holding Group, Riyadh 11663 - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Contact: +966*********; Email: *********@*******.***.**

Dr. Mehwish Kanwanl, School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute, 107 Cobbitty Road, Cobbitty, NSW, 2570, Australia Email: *************.*@*****.***

Dr. Muhammad Junaid, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand Email: ******.***@*****.***

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