Senior Research Officer, PCSIR LAHORE
10 years of experience
I am a research scientist with specialized expertise in molecular biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, and pilot-scale pharmaceutical production, with over a decade of hands-on experience in operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and training others on a wide range of scientific, medical, and industrial equipment. My work has been conducted in ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited laboratories, GMP/GLP-compliant pharmaceutical settings, and BSL-2/BSL-3 research environments. During my Ph.D., I received advanced research training at KU Leuven, Belgium, where I expanded my technical proficiency in molecular diagnostics, real-time PCR, protein expression systems, and analytical instrumentation used for drug discovery and development.
I have practical expertise with a wide array of equipment including ABI Sanger Sequencers (3130/3500 series) for microbial identification and DNA sequencing, qPCR systems such as the Bio-Rad CFX96 and Applied Biosystems StepOnePlus for viral quantification (HCV/HBV), GMO testing, and gene expression profiling. I routinely work with ELISA readers (Multiskan FC) for immunoassays and cytotoxicity analysis, UV-Vis and FTIR spectrophotometers (Shimadzu UV-1800, FTIR-8400S) for phytochemical and dietary fiber analysis, and HPLC systems (Agilent 1100/1200 series) for quality control of pharmaceuticals and natural product extracts. I am also experienced in toxicological analysis using the WMicroTracker (Phylumtech) for C. elegans behavior and viability assays.
In the industrial pharmaceutical domain, I have served as a Master Trainer for API production, overseeing pilot-scale operations involving equipment such as reactors, tablet compression machines, fluid bed dryers, granulators, and sterile filtration systems, all under GMP protocols. I have developed and implemented SOPs, calibration plans, and equipment validation protocols (IQ/OQ/PQ) to ensure regulatory compliance and reproducible product quality. I also provide hands-on training to laboratory and production staff on equipment operation, troubleshooting, and quality documentation.
My certifications include the Health Security Partners (USA) program on global biosafety and health security, D8 Trainer of Trainers in Bioinformatics and NGS with a focus on genomic surveillance and pathogen diagnostics, and additional specialized training from ICGEB and COMSATS in virology, molecular assay development, and lab biosafety. I am also certified in ISO 17025 testing protocols, with experience in GMO analysis, dietary fiber quantification, and cytotoxicity testing of medical devices.
Through my interdisciplinary background and international exposure, I bridge the gap between academic research and industry, combining strong technical knowledge with training capabilities to support scientific advancement, regulatory compliance, and institutional capacity building in pharmaceutical and biomedical sectors.
I specialize in operating and managing a wide range of scientific, industrial, and medical-grade equipment used in molecular biology, pharmaceutical production, food testing, and biomedical research, all within the framework of ISO 17025, GMP, and GLP standards.
My technical expertise includes:
ABI Sanger Sequencer (Applied Biosystems 3130/3500) – for DNA sequencing, bacterial identification, and mutation analysis in molecular diagnostics and research applications.
Real-Time PCR Systems (qPCR) – including Bio-Rad CFX96 and ABI StepOnePlus, for gene expression profiling, GMO detection, and HCV/HBV viral quantification.
Cell Culture Systems – in BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, including CO₂ incubators, Class II biosafety cabinets, and inverted fluorescent microscopes, used for viral propagation, cytotoxicity assays, and preclinical screening of natural and synthetic compounds.
ELISA and Plate Readers (Thermo Fisher Multiskan FC) – for immunoassays, antiviral screening, and medical device biocompatibility testing.
HPLC Systems (Agilent 1100/1200 series) – for quality control of pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products, including active compound quantification.
FTIR (Shimadzu FTIR-8400S) and UV-Vis (Shimadzu UV-1800) – used for phytochemical characterization, dietary fiber content analysis, and method validation under ISO 17025.
WMicroTracker (Phylumtech, Argentina) – for real-time motility and toxicity assays using C. elegans.
Pilot-Scale Production Equipment – including reactors, tablet compression machines, fluid bed dryers, and sterile filtration units used in the production and validation of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) under GMP guidelines.
Rotary Evaporators and Lyophilizers – for extract concentration and sample preservation in bioassay-guided drug discovery.
ISO 17025-Compliant Analytical Platforms – for testing GMO content, dietary fiber, and cytotoxicity of medical devices, with documented SOPs, validation protocols, and proficiency in audit handling.
My work encompasses not only hands-on equipment operation but also method development, technical training, and SOP preparation, ensuring precision, reproducibility, and full regulatory compliance. I actively contribute to projects involving nutraceutical formulation, phytochemical profiling, and toxicological evaluation, linking laboratory-scale discoveries to pilot-scale pharmaceutical production.
https://scholar.google.com.pk/citations?user=CW4XdIQAAAAJ&hl=en https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sana-Riaz-2 https://scholar.google.com/citations? https://www.pcsir-lhr.gov.pk
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