Dr. Zainul Abideen is a Plant Ecophysiologist currently serving as a Research Officer/Lecturer (BPS-18) at the Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (ISHU) at the University of Karachi, a position he has held since March 2018. He completed his Ph.D. in Plant Ecophysiology in 2015 under the mentorship of Prof. Dr. M. Ajmal Khan, following an M.Sc. in Botany (Plant Ecology) from the same institution.

Credentials:Throughout his academic career, Dr. Abideen has secured prestigious international and domestic fellowships, including an indigenous Ph.D. fellowship from the Higher Education Commission (HEC) of Pakistan and a DAAD Post-doctoral fellowship (2016–2017) at Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany, under the supervision of Prof. Hans-Werner Koyro.

Research Interests: His research primarily focuses on the physiological adaptations of plants to abiotic stressors, such as salinity and drought. He has contributed significantly to the field through publications in High impact journals exploring topics such as the use of biochar to improve photosynthetic efficiency, the cultivation of sustainable cattle feed from halophytes, and the role of bioregulators in plant biomass production. His impact factor is > 250 and high citation index. Recently his name has been included in World’s top 2% Scientists (AD ranking).

Affiliations: Dr. Abideen has a long term association with International peers of China, Germany, Sweden and UAE. He has served as a Researcher in different Research institutes of Sharjah including Al-Dhaid University. He also spent time in a split-Ph.D. scholarship in Germany and besides participating in a training course on desertification at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIEER) in Lanzhou, China in 2018.

• Post-Doctoral Fellow(DAAD) 2016-2017.
  Adviser: Prof. Hans Werner Koyro.Justus Liebig University Gießen Germany.
  
  
  
• Doctorate.Plant Ecophysiology (March 2015),
  Adviser: Prof. Dr. M. Ajmal Khan. Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization (ISHU), University of Karachi
  
  
  
• M.Sc. Botany- Plant Ecology 2006-2007.Department of Botany, University of Karachi, Pakistan.

2018(10 March) - onward (Research Officer/Lecturer BPS-18) at Institute of Sustainable Halophyte Utilization, University of Karachi.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

• 2018-International training course on desertification research and governance in developing countries" at Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources of Chinese Academy of Sciences (NIEER, CAS),Lanzhou, Chinafrom Sep 3-23, 2018.

• 2016-2017 Received a postdoctoral scholarship from DAAD in Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany.

• 2011Received Split-PhD scholarship from HEC through "International linkage between University of Karachi and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany.

• 2007 Received Indigenous Ph.D.Fellowship from Higher Education Commission, Pakistan.

• 2008 Research Associate. Project title Salt induces oxidative stress consequence and possible management Funded by: Pakistan Science Foundation.

PUBLICATIONS

1. Zulfiqar, F., Younis, A., Abideen, Z., Ferrante, A., 2019.Bioregulators can improve biomass production, photosynthetic efficiency and ornamental quality ofGazania Rigens. Agronomy.(Accepted).
2. Abideen, Z., Koyro, HW., Huchzermeyer, B., Razuiddin A, Faisal Z., Gul, B., 2019Ameliorating effects of biochar on photosynthetic efficiencyand antioxidant defense of Phragmites karka under droughtstress. Plant Biologyhttps://doi.org/10.
3. Ehsen, S., Abideen, Z., Fatima RR., Aziz, I., Salman, G., Gul, B., Khan, MA., Ansari, R. 2019. Ecophsyiological adaptations and anti-nutritive status of sustainable cattle feed Haloxylon stocksii under saline conditions. Flora.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.flora.2019.
4. Tayyab, M. Qasim, M. Azeem and R. Ahmad. 2016. Effect of sea salt on plant growth, yield potential and some biochemical attributes of Carissa carandas L. Pakistan Journal of Botany 48(3): 853-859.
5. Abideen, Z., Qasim, M., Hussain, T, Rasheed, A., Gul, B., Koyro, HW., Ansari, R., Khan, MA. 2018. Salinity improves photosynthesis and biomass production of Phragmites karka a potential biofuel crop. Crop and Pasture Science.
6. Abideen, Z., M. Qasim, A. Rasheed and M.A. Khan. 2015. Salinity effects on polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities in halophyte Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin. ex Steud. Pakistan Journal of Botany..
7. Shoukat E, Abideen, Z., Ahmed, MZ, Gulzar, S, Nielsen, BL. 2019. Changes in growth and photosynthesis linked with intensity and duration of salinity in Phragmites karka, Environmental and Experimental Botany.
8. Abideen, Z., Koyro, HW., Huchzermeyer, B., Gul, B., Khan, MA. 2017. Application of biochar-compost improves growth, lignocellulosic biomass and photosynthesis of Phragmites karka by water relation and nutrient uptake.
9. Abideen, Z., Qasim, M., Fatima, RR., Ansari, R., Gul, B., Khan, MA. 2015. Oilseed halophytes: a potential source of biodiesel using saline degraded lands. Biofuels.
10. Abideen, Z., Koyro, HW. Huchzermeyer, B., Ahmed, M Z., Gul, B., Khan, MA. 2014. Moderate salinity stimulates growth and photosynthesis of Phragmites karka by water relations and tissue specific ion regulation. Environmental and Experimental Botany.