Dr Muhammad Shahzad
Dr Muhammad Shahzad is an assistant professor and leading “Microbiome Research Group” at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University Pakistan. Dr. Shahzad received his PhD (2015) from University of Glasgow, UK where he was involved in screening of different polyphenolic molecules for their antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities against oral pathogenic bacteria and fungi. His current research work mainly focuses on exploring microbiome (both gut and oral) diversity and functional potential in response to (1) malnutrition especially micro-nutrients deficiencies (2) Smokeless tobacco use and (3) Diseases of public health importance in Pakistan such Tuberculosis and chronic oral diseases. The ultimate goal is to find specific oral and gut enterotypes associated these condition and propose context specific, cost effective therapeutic and preventive strategies. Dr. Shahzad is recipient of several national and international awards and honors including Captain Pakistan Lawn Bowls in Commonwealth Games (2014), HEC Pakistan PhD Scholarship for PhD studies at University of Glasgow (2010 – 15), Finalist UK Alumni Professional achievement awards (2019) and Glasgow University Sports Bursary Award (2013). He is principal investigator in several funded projects and supervising 4 PhD and 6 MPhil students. Dr. Shahzad currently work as academic researcher/postdoc fellow at School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading in a research project exploring the role of micronutrients (zinc and iron) in shaping gut microbiome of Pakistani children who are at risk of food insecurity and malnutrition.
Publications