About me

#**Dr. Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi** is an HEC-approved PhD supervisor and Associate Professor of Biotechnology at Jinnah University for Women, Karachi, with more than 18 years of academic and research experience. She earned her PhD from the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry (ICCBS), University of Karachi, specializing in plant biotechnology and molecular techniques. Her research expertise includes plant tissue culture, protoplast technology, genetic transformation, antibacterial evaluations, and nutraceutical and herbal product development.

Dr. Kazmi has led major funded projects, including the HEC-TDF project on micropropagation of ornamental plants, and has guided a large number of MPhil and BS students toward innovative research in biotechnology, herbal skincare, nanoparticles, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. She has published extensively in Web of Science, Scopus, and HEC-indexed journals and has presented her work at international conferences in Turkey, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

She has contributed to several administrative roles at JUW and has organized hands-on workshops and scientific events to strengthen biotechnology education. With a strong commitment to research, innovation, and mentorship, Dr. Kazmi continues to play a leading role in advancing applied biotechnology and promoting research excellence in Pakistan.

#**Dr. Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi** is a distinguished Pakistani biotechnologist, academician, and HEC-approved PhD supervisor with over 18 years of research and teaching experience. She is currently serving as an **Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, Jinnah University for Women (JUW), Karachi**, where she has significantly contributed to graduate and postgraduate teaching, research supervision, and departmental development. She completed her **PhD in Biotechnology** from the prestigious **HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry (ICCBS), University of Karachi**, in collaboration with KIBGE. Her doctoral research focused on the development of seedless *Kinnow mandarin* using advanced molecular biology techniques, establishing her expertise in plant tissue culture, genetic transformation, protoplast isolation, and somatic hybridization.

Dr. Kazmi’s research spans **plant biotechnology, molecular diagnostics, nutraceutical product development, antibacterial activity of plant extracts, and micropropagation of commercially important ornamental and crop plants**. She has supervised numerous MPhil and BS research theses in areas such as nanoparticle synthesis, nutraceutical innovations, herbal skincare formulations, antibacterial evaluations, edible coatings, and functional foods. Several of her students have earned awards and recognition in national and international conferences under her mentorship.

She has successfully led major funded research projects, including the **HEC-TDF project worth Rs. 9.918 million** on micropropagation of ornamental plants, and an **ORIC-JUW seed project** on herbal skincare product development. Her entrepreneurial vision has earned her multiple placements in the **National Idea Bank**, including city-level and provincial wins.

Dr. Kazmi has authored numerous **Web of Science, Scopus, and HEC-indexed publications**, and has contributed to the advancement of scientific knowledge through her book, *Eco-Pharming and Climate Action Strategies for a Climate Resilient Food System*. She has presented her research at conferences in Turkey, Nigeria, Pakistan, and international scientific forums, covering topics such as plant tissue culture, protoplast regeneration, antibacterial agents, and sustainable biotechnology.

She has also played a notable administrative role at JUW as **student advisor**, **library advisory board member**, **industry advisory board member**, and part of the **departmental purchasing committee**. She has organized multiple workshops including hands-on plant tissue culture training at IBRAS 2024, and contributed to innovation summits and technology showcase events.

With strong expertise in **molecular biology, plant tissue culture, microbiology, and sustainable biotechnological solutions**, Dr. Kazmi remains committed to contributing to Pakistan’s scientific growth. Her passion lies in integrating applied biotechnology with innovation, mentoring young researchers, and promoting research-based learning to strengthen the country’s academic and industrial biotechnology sectors.

Degrees:

2017
Doctorate
Biological Systems and Organisms

Publications resulting from Research
Research Publications

• Wajeeha Fatima, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi*, Neha Khan, Mariam Raziq. 2025. Characterization Of Plastic-Degrading Bacteria From Waste-Contaminated Soils. FUUAST Journal of Biology (Indexed in DOAJ/ HEC Y Category).
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi*, Aisha Mehak, Sabeen Nadeem, Beena Naqvi and Amir Ahmed Mirbahar. 2024. Enhanced Growth and Development Of Commercially Important Dendrobium White Orchids By Micropropagation And Hydroponics. FUUAST Journal of Biology (Indexed in DOAJ/ HEC Y Category).
• Ayisha Aman ullah, S. Noreen, R.R. Zohra, S.K. Kazmi.2023. Improved production of bioethanol from alkali-pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock using Saccharomyces cerevisiae under simultaneous saccharification and fermentation. International Journal of Biology and Chemistry (Web of Science /HEC Y Category).
• Mariam Raziq, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan. 2023.“Effect Of NaH2PO4 On Differentiation Of In Vitro Propagated Bird Nest Fern (Asplenium Nidus L)”. Pak. J. Bot., 55(3) (Web of Science/ HEC X Category).
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Hammad Afzal Kayani, Mariam Raziq, Saifullah Khan, Nurul Kabir and Sheeba Naz. 2022. Protoplast Isolation and Regeneration from Leaves and Nucellar Embryos Of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco). Pak. J. Bot., 54(4): 4(27) (Web of Science/ HEC X Category).
• Hammad Afzal Kayani, MariumRaziq, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Sheeba Naz and Saifullah Khan.2021. Efficient protocol for invitro regeneration of Ocimum sanctum using nodal segments as explants. PJSIR. 64(1): 13-17. (Clarivate Analytics/ HEC Y category).
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Naheed Kauser,Ayesha Aman, Aqsa Idrees, Rashida Rahmat Zohra, ,Anoosha Sohail, Saima Komal.2021. Evaluation of the Antibacterial Potential of Various Plant Extracts Against Clinically Important Skin Infectious Bacterial Strains. Anti-Infective Agents. 19(1): 57-63. (Scopus/ HEC Y Category).
• Rashida Rahmat Zohra, Sana Waseem, Ayesha Aman, Ayesha Siddiqui, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Raheela Rahmat Zohra.2019. Dextran Production By Microbial Biotransformation Of Sugarcane Waste. FUUAST journal of Biology (Indexed in DOAJ / HEC Y category)
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan, Ameer Ahmed Mirbahar and Nurul Kabir.Micropropagation of nucellar embryos and their histological comparative study for regeneration ability with the other explants of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco).Pak. J. Bot., 50(1): 345-353, 2018.( Pakistan Journal of Botany. (Web of Science /HEC X category journal.
• Ramsha Aqeel, Marium Zehra, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan, Hammad Afzal Kayani and Ameer Ahmed Mirbahar. Isolation of protoplasts from mesophyll cells of dendrobium queen pink.Pak. J. Bot., 48(2): 693-697, 2016. Pakistan Journal of Botany. (Web of science/ HEC X category journal.
• Huma Rao, Naheed Kauser, Ameer Ahmed Mirbahar, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan and Sajjad A. Rao. Detection of GM contamination in IRRI-6 variety of rice (Oryza sativa l.) grown in Pakistan.Int. J. Biol. Biotech., 13 (4): 523-528, 2016. (Published in international journal of biology and biotechnology). (Web of science) and also in (Scopus).
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan, Ameer Ahmed Mirbahar and Hammad Afzal Kayani. Comparative Protein Production Profiling of Kinnow Mandarin(Citrus reticulata blanco) among different Tissue Culture Stages by using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAG).The Natural Products Journal, 2015, 5, 186-190. (Published in “The natural products journal”). (Scopus/ HEC Y category journal.
• Sarah Yousuf, Faryal Ashraf, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan and Hammad Afzal Kayani.A study on the isolation of protoplasts from the callus of Lilium longiflorum overig.Pak. J. Bot., 47(6): 2391-2396, 2015. Pakistan Journal of Botany. (Web of science/ HEC X category journal.
• Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi, Saifullah Khan, Nurul Kabir, Ameer Ahmed Mirbahar, Mariam Raziq and NaheedKauser. Embryogenic callus induction, somatic embryogenesis, regeneration and histological studies of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata blanco) from nucellar embryo and epicotyl region.Pak. J. Bot., 47(1): 305-310, 2015. Pakistan Journal of Botany. (Web of science/ HEC X category journal.

Books Published

• Eco-Pharming and Climate Action Strategies for a Climate Resilient Food System Combating Climate Change Through Sustainable Practices.

Conference Publications

• Poster presentation of my student Hafiza Mustabeen Adnan on title “Sustainable nutraceutical cookies for menstrual health: Gluten free relief for celiac disease patients” presented in 1st International conference on innovative cross disciplinary solutions for sustainable development goals on 28th November, 2024.

• 4th Position of my student in poster competition title “Sustainable agriculture solution to malnutrition” presented in 1st International conference on innovative cross disciplinary solutions for sustainable development goals on 28th November, 2024
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• Oral and technical presentation in 5th International Conference on Bioinformatics and biosciences on the topic “Multiplication of Ornamental Plants through Plant Tissue Culture Technique” on 14-16th September, 2023.

• Oral and technical presentation in SIVAS International Conference on Scientific and Innovation Research on “Protoplast Isolation and Regeneration From Leaves and Nucellar Embryos Of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus Reticulata Blanco)” held on October 13-15, 2022 / SIVAS Turkey.

• Oral and technical presentation in International conference on chemical and biological sciences on the topic “Isolation Of Skin Infectious Bacteria, Antibacterial Activity Of Plant Extracts Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Staphylococcus Epidermidis and E.Coli Stains” held on September 20-21, 2022 / Umaru Musa Yaradua University, Nigeria.

• Oral and technical presentation in Mediterranean International Conference on Research in Applied Sciences held on April 22-24, 2022 / Antalya, Turkey entitled “Biotechnology Can Do Wonders In Ornamental Plants”.
• Presentation of "Plant Tissue Culture Technology" in Research and technology show case 2022 in expo center Karachi.
• Oral and technical presentation and got city winner 2021 certificate on the project title " Micropropagation of Elite Date Palm Varieties" in National Idea Bank competition in University of Karachi.
• Oral presentation in 2nd International Conference on Biological Research and Applied Sciences (IBRAS) in Karachi, Pakistan from 11-13 January, 2022. Etitled “Micropropagation Of Commercially Important Ornamental Plants”.
• Ayisha Aman, Ayesha Siddiqui, Raheela Rahmat Zohra, Sania Naveed, Syeda Kahkashan Kazmi.2020. Bioconversion Of Agroindustrial Waste Into Industrially Important Haloalkaliphilic Protease by Marine Bacillus Specie Under Solid State Fermentation And Formulation Of Biodetergent (Conference proceedings in International E-Conference on Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Biomedicine). International.