Dr. DR. MUHAMMAD RASHID

About

With over 23 years of R&D experience, including 13+ years as Group Leader (Rice) at NIAB, I specialize in mutation breeding using ¹³⁷Cs and EMS. My expertise integrates bioinformatics (comparative genomics, gene function prediction), molecular biology (gene cloning, vector construction, transformation), and molecular markers (SSR, AFLP). Proficient in conventional breeding, I apply robust biometrical and multivariate statistical approaches including diallel analysis, PCA, and cluster analysis.

As Group Leader, I led the development of seven rice varieties, including NIAB Super (as Principal Breeder) and others such as NIAB Basmati-2016, NIAB S-39, and NIAB ST-9. I hold Pakistan’s first Basmati rice patent on low-phytate rice. My scientific output includes 39 peer-reviewed publications, 25 conference contributions, with 1201 citations since 2020 and a total impact factor of 47.278.

I have successfully led or contributed to six R&D projects funded by IAEA, ADB, and ALP-PARC, and currently serve as Technical Liaison Officer for NIAB–IAEA Collaborating Centre. I have availed 29 training opportunities (9 international), organized five workshops/field days, and contributed to human resource development under IAEA projects, including supervision of international scientific visits and regional training opportunities.

I am also involved in academic development, having supervised 10 students (PhD, MPhil, and internships), coordinated PhD coursework at NIAB, and recognized as an HEC PhD supervisor. I hold a lifetime membership in the Pakistan Botanical Society and have received the Research Productivity Award (A+ category) for my scientific contributions.

Areas of Expertise