Prof. Dr. Zabta Khan Shinwari hails from Kohat, Pakistan, and obtained his Ph.D. from Kyoto University, Japan, followed by several postdoctoral fellowships there. He has served in key positions across various institutions, including the Pakistan Museum of Natural History, the National Agricultural Research Centre, WWF-Pakistan, and COMSTECH, before his role as Vice Chancellor at Kohat University of Science & Technology (KUST). One of his notable achievements is expanding higher education access, especially for women in neglected communities. He also founded the University of Science & Technology, Bannu, and the KUST Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS).
In the private sector, he was CEO of Qarshi Research International and Vice Chancellor/Project Director of Qarshi University, Lahore. Currently, he is Vice Chancellor of the Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology, and has previously been a Professor and Chairman of Biotechnology at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. His research focuses on Molecular Systematics, Bioethics, and Biotechnology.
Prof. Shinwari has reported over 200 plant genes, including five that are drought, cold, and stress-tolerant. His impressive publication record includes 8 authored books, 8 edited international proceedings, and 550 research articles, with more than 24,050 citations, an H-index of 77, and an i10-index of 317. He has supervised over 100 M.Phil and Ph.D. scholars and holds two patents. He has also delivered 401 research presentations and invited lectures, both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Shinwari is recognized for his contributions to science, earning prestigious civil awards, including the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz (2011) and Sitara-e-Imtiaz (2018), and the Best University Teacher Award from the Higher Education Commission. He is a Fellow and Secretary General of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences and the Islamic World Academy of Sciences and has served as Treasurer of the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia (AASSA). He has also been the President of the National Council of Tibb.
Prof. Shinwari is a leading figure in biosecurity education in Pakistan, partnering with international agencies like BEP (USA), LNCV (Italy), and Bradford University to promote biosecurity awareness. His efforts aim to establish a national biosecurity network to improve Pakistan’s biotechnology industry and ensure international ethical and safety standards. He has participated in key international forums, including working groups on biosafety and biosecurity through IAP and BWC, contributing to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540. His focus remains on teaching, developing modules on Dual Use Education, and promoting biosecurity from the grassroots level. Prof. Shinwari’s global network and partnerships with various national and international agencies continue to enhance Pakistan’s biosecurity infrastructure, ultimately driving economic progress in the country’s biotechnology sector.
This page was updated in September 2024.
