Dr. Muhammad Farhan Jahangir Chughtai

About

I am a dedicated academic and technical specialist in food and nutrition sciences with extensive hands on experience in operating, maintaining, troubleshooting and training others on a broad range of advanced analytical and processing equipment commonly used in scientific, industrial and medical domains. Over the years, I have developed deep expertise in both the theoretical and operational aspects of high end laboratory instruments, integrating their applications into research, teaching and institutional capacity building.
My technical portfolio includes proficient use and oversight of equipment such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Supercritical Fluid Extractors, Freeze Dryers (Lyophilizers), Zetasizers, Flame Photometers, Spectrophotometers (UV-VIS-NIR), Kjeldahl and Soxhlet Units, FiberTech Systems and dairy and proximate analysis setups.
I have successfully managed the installation and commissioning of complex instrumentation, ensuring proper calibration, safety compliance, and operational readiness. This includes liaising with vendors, interpreting technical manuals, developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), and conducting preventive and corrective maintenance. My diagnostic skills are rooted in a sound understanding of instrumental principles and are frequently applied to troubleshoot issues such as pressure faults in chromatography systems, drift in spectrophotometric readings, or sample preparation inconsistencies in AAS.
In addition to technical operations, I have played a central role in training programs aimed at capacity building for students, researchers, and laboratory staff. I design and deliver hands-on training modules, prepare user manuals, and supervise experimental runs to ensure users not only operate equipment correctly but also interpret data accurately. These trainings often include both foundational instrument theory and practical applications in food analysis, clinical nutrition assessments, and food quality assurance.
One of my key initiatives involved the integration of advanced instrumental methods into undergraduate and graduate curriculum, particularly focusing on chromatographic and spectrometric techniques. I have also mentored junior researchers and supervised laboratory teams working on projects involving nanoparticle synthesis using zeta sizer and FTIR, protein and lipid profiling via GC-MS, and mineral quantification through AAS.
Beyond the lab, my work bridges academic research with industry and regulatory stakeholders, ensuring instrumentation is not only used for academic inquiry but also aligned with food safety standards, halal food authentication, and public health policies. I have been actively involved in multi-sector collaborations to strengthen quality assurance systems and develop evidence-based nutrition programs.
Throughout my career, I have contributed to institutional growth through academic leadership, peer-reviewed publications, and the development of interdisciplinary technical manuals and laboratory protocols. My work remains driven by the mission to uphold excellence in scientific training, operational efficiency, and innovation in food and nutrition research.

Areas of Expertise