Bio Summary:

Prof . Nudrat Akram, dedicated and accomplished Professor with a strong background in Botany. My research focuses on alleviating environmental stress in plants, particularly in the areas of salt-induced adverse effects and water deficit conditions. Throughout my academic journey, I have earned numerous awards and honors, including the prestigious Dr. Shah Jahan Prize and TWAS Young Affiliate recognition. As an editor and reviewer for reputable journals, I contribute to the advancement of knowledge in plant science. My commitment to excellence is reflected in my significant impact factor, substantial citation count, and a consistently productive research timeline.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Botany
  • University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
• M.Phil. in Botany
  • University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
• M.Sc. in Botany
  • Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
• B.Sc. in Botany, Zoology, Chemistry
  • Bahaudin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
• B.Ed. in Biology, Chemistry
  • Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Research Focus:

• Ph.D. Thesis:
  • Alleviation of salt-induced adverse effects by exogenously applied 5-aminolevulinic acid in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).
• M.Phil. Thesis:
  • Morpho-physiological responses of Cynodon dactylon L. and Cenchrus ciliaris L. to water deficit conditions.

Professional Journey:

Current Position:

• Professor
  • Department of Botany, Government College University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
  • Since 30-12-2022

Previous Positions:

• Associate Professor (Tenured)
  • Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad
  • 25-02-2019 to 29-12-2022
• Assistant Professor (TTS)
  • Department of Botany, GC University, Faisalabad
  • 24-01-2013 to 24-02-2019

Honors & Awards:

• HEC Approved Supervisor (1st February, 2012)
• Dr. Shah Jahan Prize, 2012 (Gold Medal, 35,000/- Cash, and a certificate)
• TWAS Young Affiliate, 2015 (Italy)
• Gold Medal, 2022, and a certificate in the field of Physiology-Prof Dr. Samina Jalali 3rd Gold Medal by the Applied Zoological Society of Pakistan (AZSP)

Publications & Contributions:

• Books:
  • Introduction and Application of Organic Fertilizers as Protectors of our Environment (Editor)
• Book Chapters:
  • Contributions in various chapters related to plant growth regulation, salt tolerance, and environmental stress.
• Reviewer for Journals:
  • Actively involved in reviewing articles for reputed journals in the field of plant science.
• Editorial Roles:
  • Editor for the Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.
  • Member, Editorial Advisory Board, The Proceedings of the Pakistan Academy of Sciences: Part B.

1. “Seed Priming with Fullerol Improves Seed Germination, Seedling Growth and Antioxidant Enzyme System of Two Winter Wheat Cultivars under Drought Stress”

• Authors: Kong, H., Meng, X., Akram, N.A., Hu, J., Zhang, Z.
• Published in Plants, 2023, 12(6), 1417
• Citations: 1

2. “Fullerenol [60] Nano-cages for Protection of Crops Against Oxidative Stress: A Critical Review”

• Authors: Shafiq, F., Iqbal, M., Raza, S.H., Akram, N.A., Ashraf, M.
• Published in Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2023, 42(3), pp. 1267–1290
• Citations: 5

3. “Forage Potential of Several Halophytic Species Grown on Saline Soil in Arid Environments”

• Authors: Pirasteh-Anosheh, H., Ranjbar, G., Akram, N.A., Ghafar, M.A., Panico, A.
• Published in Environmental Research, 2023, 219, 114954
• Citations: 2

4. “Appraisal of Improvement in Physiological and Metabolic Processes by Exogenously Applied Natural and Synthetic Ascorbic Acid in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) Fruit Subjected to Water Deficit Stress”

• Authors: Younis, M., Akram, N.A., Latef, A.A.H.A., Ashraf, M.
• Published in Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, 2023, 92(10), pp. 2761–2784
• Citations: 1

5. “Induction of Chromium (Cr) Stress Tolerance in Maize by Foliar Applied Vanillic Acid: Growth, Gas Exchange Characteristics and Antioxidants”

• Authors: Razzaq, M., Akram, N.A., Ali, S., Ashraf, M.
• Published in Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2023, 55(2), pp. 419–428
• Citations: 0

6. “Exogenous α-Tocopherol Regulates the Growth and Metabolism of Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) under Drought Stress”

• Authors: Akram, N.A., Bashir, R., Ashraf, G., Bajguz, A., Ahmad, P.
• Published in Plants, 2023, 12(2), 237
• Citations: 1

7. “Phytoextracts as Crop Biostimulants and Natural Protective Agents—A Critical Review”

• Authors: Akram, N.A., Saleem, M.H., Shafiq, S., Jaremko, M., Qureshi, K.A.
• Published in Sustainability (Switzerland), 2022, 14(21), 14498
• Citations: 22

8. “Defoliation Facilitates Leymus chinensis Clones Spatial Expansion into Saline-Alkali Soils under Different Population Densities”

• Authors: Xu, T., Abdullah, I., Akram, N.A., Wang, J., Wang, L.
• Published in Flora: Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 2022, 296, 152154
• Citations: 1

9. “Trehalose-Induced Regulations in Nutrient Status and Secondary Metabolites of Drought-Stressed Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Plants”

• Authors: Kosar, F., Alshallash, K.S., Akram, N.A., Abdel Latef, A.A.H., Elkelish, A.
• Published in Plants, 2022, 11(20), 2780
• Citations: 3

10. “Thiamin Stimulates Growth, Yield Quality and Key Biochemical Processes of Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. Botrytis) under Arid Conditions” – Authors: Jabeen, M., Akram, N.A., Ashraf, M., El-Sheikh, M.A., Ahmad, P. – Published in PLoS ONE, 2022, 17(5 5), e0266372 – Citations: 4

Citation:

• Impact Factor: 328.918
• Total Citations: 5200
• Hi-Index: 41

Research Timeline:

• Ongoing Research Grants:
  • Project on “Monitoring take advantage of some rangeland halophyte species as forage in saline regions of Iran and Pakistan.”
• Completed Research Grants:
  • Multiple projects focusing on topics such as drought stress, salt tolerance, and the physiological responses of various crops.