Hammad Ahmad Jan | Medicinal Plants | Research Excellence Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Hammad Ahmad Jan | Medicinal Plants | Research Excellence Award

University of Buner | Pakistan

Dr. Hammad Ahmad Jan is a Lecturer in Botany at the University of Buner, Pakistan, with over 13 years of experience in teaching, research, and academic administration. He holds a Ph.D. in Botany along with advanced degrees in biological sciences and education. His research focuses on ethnobotany, ethnomedicine, biodiesel synthesis from non-edible oils, phytochemistry, plant systematics, and ecology. Dr. Jan has authored numerous research papers and book chapters and serves on international journal editorial boards. Recognized for his contributions to plant sciences and indigenous knowledge documentation, he actively mentors undergraduate and postgraduate students.

                   Citation Metrics (Google Scholar)

2000

1500

1000

500

100

0

 

Citations
1464
Documents
154
h-index
19

Citations

Documents

h-index

View Google Scholar Profile   View Orcid Profile

Featured Publications

Fahim Hussain Shah | Plant Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Fahim Hussain Shah | Plant Sciences | Editorial Board Member

Department of Plant science, Faculty of biological science Quaid-i-Azam University | Pakistan

Fahim Hussain Shah is an emerging plant scientist whose research spans plant science, mycology, plant–microbe interactions, phycology, and plant pathology, with a strong focus on fungal biodiversity and its ethnomycological significance. He holds an M.Phil in Plant Science from Quaid-i-Azam University, where he conducted extensive studies on the morpho-genetic identification and medicinal potential of wild macrofungi from Pakistan. His academic foundation also includes a Bachelor’s degree in Botany, complemented by professional teaching qualifications. Fahim has published impactful research on macrofungi, microalgae, saline-tolerant microbial strains, and fungal taxonomy, contributing significantly to biodiversity documentation and sustainable agricultural approaches. His technical expertise includes DNA extraction, PCR, phylogenetic analysis, bioinformatics, phytochemical testing, and microalgae purification. He has worked in administrative roles and actively participates in scientific conferences and workshops. As a journal reviewer, he supports the scientific community through evaluations in ethnobotany and ethnopharmacology. His research interests revolve around genomics-based crop improvement, plant–microbe interactions for stress tolerance, fungal systematics, and the application of traditional knowledge in biotechnology. Fahim aims to integrate modern molecular tools with ecological insights to advance sustainable agriculture, strengthen disease management strategies, and promote the conservation and scientific utilization of Pakistan’s rich fungal and plant biodiversity.

Profile: Orcid

Featured Publications

Shah, F. H., Azeem, M. A., Ullah, T., Mumtaz, A. S., Shah, S. A., Khan, M. B., Karunarathna, S. C., Elgorban, A. M., & Kiran, M. (2025). From wild ecosystem to the pharmaceutical use–Exploring the traditional medicine and socio-cultural heritage of macrofungi from Pakistan. New Zealand Journal of Botany.

Shah, F. H., Kiran, M., Khan, M. B., Basit, A., Elgorban, A. M., Ahmad, M., Ullah, T., Mumtaz, A. S., & Sana. (2025). Morphology and phylogeny of gasteroids and two novel hosts for Pisolithus albus (Sclerodermataceae) from Pakistan. New Zealand Journal of Botany.

Ishaq, M., Khan, M. B., Shah, F. H., Fiaz, M., & Khalid, A. N. (2024). A new species of Agaricus: Agaricus totalaiiensis in section Minores from Pakistan.

Ullah, T., Ullah, K., Saba, M., & Shah, F. H. (2023). Conocybe karakensis sp. nov. (Bolbitiaceae, Agaricales) from Pakistan. Phytotaxa.

Azeem, M. A., Shah, F. H., Ullah, A., Ali, K., Jones, D. A., Khan, M. E. H., & Ashraf, A. (2022). Biochemical characterization of halotolerant Bacillus safensis PM22 and its potential to enhance growth of maize under salinity stress. Plants,

Zelna Booth | Plant Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Plant Scientist

Dr. Zelna Booth | Plant Microbiology | Best Researcher Award

University of the Witwatersrand | South Africa

Author Profile

Scopus
Orcid ID
Google Scholar

👩‍⚕️ Summary

Zelna Booth is a passionate academic lecturer and registered pharmacist at the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. With a strong foundation in pharmacy and a research focus on traditional medicinal plants and antimicrobial interactions, she champions integrative healthcare approaches. Having completed her PhD on the interaction of traditional medicines with conventional antimicrobials, she aims to bridge indigenous knowledge systems with modern pharmaceutical sciences to improve patient outcomes.

🎓 Education

Zelna obtained her Bachelor of Pharmacy (with distinction) in 2011, followed by a Master of Pharmacy (also with distinction) in 2014. Her academic journey culminated in a PhD, with a dissertation focused on the prevalence and antimicrobial interactions of traditional medicine in South African hospitals. Her academic rigor reflects a deep commitment to healthcare innovation rooted in cultural relevance and scientific validation.

💼 Professional Experience

Currently a lecturer in the Division of Pharmacy Practice, Zelna actively mentors postgraduate students, leads research projects, and engages in curriculum development. She has contributed to academia through local and international presentations, authorship in reputable journals, and consultancy roles such as the PharmApprentice initiative with Aspen Pharmacare. Her leadership includes academic representation on the PSSA Southern Gauteng committee.

📚 Academic Citations

With a Scopus h-index of 2 and Author ID: 56152911800, Zelna has authored multiple peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter on natural products combating antimicrobial resistance. She is also an active reviewer for respected journals like the South African Pharmaceutical Journal and Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

🛠️ Technical Skills

Her expertise spans pharmaceutical microbiology, pharmacognosy, antimicrobial resistance, toxicity assays, and in vitro combination interaction studies. She is adept at integrative medicine research and applying laboratory insights to clinical and public health frameworks.

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

Zelna has supervised 12 postgraduate students to successful degree completion and has presented research at over 10 national and 2 international conferences. She contributes significantly to pharmacy education, focusing on evidence-based practice, pharmacology, and student mentorship.

🔬 Research Interests

Her primary interests include interactive antimicrobial efficacy analysis, indigenous medicinal plants, toxicological safety, antimicrobial resistance, and integrative healthcare systems. She advocates for evidence-based synergy between traditional healing and modern medicine to tackle global health challenges.

📖Publications

Conventional Antimicrobial and Medicinal Plants from a Traditional Medicine Market in South Africa: An Interactive Antimicrobial and Toxicity Study
  • Authors: Zelna Booth, Sabiha Essack, Sandy van Vuuren
  • Journal: Antibiotics
  • Year: 2025
Toxicity and antimicrobial interactions with conventional antimicrobials of commonly traded medicinal plants from Faraday muthi market (Johannesburg, South Africa)
  • Authors: Zelna Booth, Gugulethu Khumalo, Sandy Van Vuuren
  • Journal: South African Journal of Botany
  • Year: 2024
The pattern of antibiotic utilisation among intensive care unit patients hospitalised in a Gauteng (South African) provincial tertiary hospital: Comparing findings before and during COVID-19
  • Authors: L. Spinickum, Zelna Booth, S. Leigh-de Rapper
  • Journal: South African Medical Journal
  • Year: 2024
 Impact of Illegible Prescriptions on Dispensing Practice: A Pilot Study of South African Pharmacy Personnel
  • Authors: Zelna Booth
  • Journal: Pharmacy
  • Year: 2022
Can rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) tea have an effect on conventional antimicrobial therapies?
  • Authors: Hübsch, Z.; Van Vuuren, S.F.; Van Zyl, R.L.
  • Journal: South African Journal of Botany
  • Year: 2014