Education
Ms. Ammara Asif holds a robust academic background in pharmaceutical sciences. She began her academic journey by earning a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm-D) degree from the University of Sargodha in 2013 with a CGPA of 3.03. She then pursued an M.Phil. in Pharmacology from Government College University, Faisalabad, graduating in 2017 with an excellent CGPA of 3.77 (94.25%). Currently, she is enrolled in a Ph.D. in Pharmacology (2018–2025) at The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, where she maintains a CGPA of 3.60. Her academic training also includes a prestigious IRSIP (HEC Pakistan) research scholarship, through which she conducted research as a PhD guest scholar at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in 2022. This academic trajectory reflects her strong theoretical foundation, practical training, and international research exposure, all of which contribute to her competence as a future educator and researcher in pharmacology.
Professional Experience
Ms. Ammara Asif’s professional experience bridges both academic and clinical spheres. She began with a key internship at The Children Hospital and Institute of Child Health, Lahore, where she worked as a trainee pharmacist. During this time, she gained hands-on knowledge in hospital and clinical pharmacy through training in OPD pharmacy, skin pharmacy, and the TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) section. Additionally, her participation in community outreach through a medical camp focused on public awareness about blood pressure, blood glucose, and dengue prevention showcases her engagement with public health. While she is currently focused on her doctoral research, her previous exposure to practical pharmacy applications, combined with her academic excellence, positions her well for future roles in both academia and pharmaceutical research. She is also committed to mentoring and collaborative academic work, laying the foundation for her contributions as a potential faculty member in pharmacological sciences.
Research Interests
Ms. Ammara Asif’s research interests lie primarily in the fields of general pharmacology and medicinal chemistry, with a focused inclination toward natural product pharmacology and therapeutic drug evaluation. She has extensively studied the hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antioxidant, and cardioprotective effects of various medicinal plant extracts, reflecting her passion for ethnopharmacology and phytomedicine. Her doctoral research includes studies on bioactive compounds from plants such as Artocarpus lakoocha and Parkia speciosa, aimed at exploring their therapeutic mechanisms in disease models. She also investigates the molecular pharmacodynamics and toxicological profiles of herbal substances, contributing to the growing body of evidence in natural medicine development. Ammara’s interest in integrative medicine and plant-based therapeutics underscores her commitment to discovering cost-effective and biocompatible alternatives to synthetic drugs, which is especially relevant in developing countries. Her research reflects a blend of modern pharmacological evaluation and traditional medicinal wisdom.
Research Skills
Ms. Ammara Asif has developed an array of advanced research skills throughout her academic career. She is proficient in experimental pharmacology techniques, including in vivo disease modeling, drug administration protocols, and biochemical marker assessments for evaluating organ protection. She possesses expertise in phytochemical screening, antioxidant assays, and histopathological examination. In addition to wet lab competencies, she is highly skilled in using scientific tools such as GraphPad Prism for statistical data analysis and EndNote for literature management. Her ability to critically interpret scientific data is evident through her peer-reviewed publications. She is also proficient in preparing manuscripts, scientific abstracts, and conference presentations. Ammara’s training in international research environments like the University of Copenhagen has sharpened her skills in research design, data integrity, and academic collaboration. Her technical capabilities, combined with a solid foundation in pharmacological sciences, make her a competent and versatile researcher in both academic and applied research settings.
Awards and Honors
Ms. Ammara Asif has earned notable academic honors that highlight her commitment and excellence in research. Chief among these is the International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) scholarship awarded by HEC Pakistan, which enabled her to serve as a PhD guest researcher at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark in 2022. This prestigious award reflects her academic merit and international research aptitude. Additionally, she has received a distinction certificate for her involvement in community health through participation in a medical awareness camp, emphasizing her dedication to applying pharmaceutical knowledge for public benefit. Her high academic performance in M.Phil. (CGPA 3.77) and consistent publication record also reflect her strong scholarly potential. While still in the early stages of her professional journey, Ammara’s accolades mark her as a promising researcher with significant future contributions anticipated in the fields of pharmacology and medicinal chemistry.
Conclusion
Dr. Ammara Asif is a promising and rising researcher in the field of pharmacology, particularly in medicinal plant research and phytotherapy. Her international research exposure, interdisciplinary work, and publication record showcase strong potential for the Best Researcher Award. However, to be fully competitive, especially at the national/international level, she could enhance her candidacy with a higher volume of publications, more visible research impact metrics, and leadership or innovation-driven outputs.
Publications Top Noted
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Saleem, M., Asif, A., Akhtar, M.F., Saleem, A. (2018) – Hepatoprotective potential and chemical characterization of Artocarpus lakoocha fruit extract – Cited by: 28
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Tratrat, C., Ali, L., Asif, A., Khan, S., Haroun, M., Sewell, R.D.E. (2025) – Hepatoprotective activity of Artocarpus lakoocha leaf extract against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity
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Hussein, I., Ahmad, F.D., Asif, A., Khan, S., Chohan, M.S., Sewell, R.D.E. (2025) – The potential mitigating activity of Cassia absus seed extract on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury
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Asif, A., Ahmad, F.-u.-D., Mirza, O.A., Yan, R., Sewell, R.D.E. (2024) – Protective Effect of the Exogenous Hydrogen Sulfide Donor, Parkia speciosa Hassk. against Hypertensive Nephropathy
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Asif, A., Ahmad, F.D., Mothana, R.A., Al‐Yousef, H.M., Sewell, R.D.E. (2025) – The Polysulfide Containing Medicinal Plant Parkia speciosa Hassk. has Both Antioxidant and Cardioprotective Activity