CURRICULUM VITAE PERSONAL DETAILS: Name: Dr. Insha Zahoor Father‟s name: Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Hussaini Qualifications: M.Sc (Gold Medalist), M.Phil, Ph.D Biotechnology CSIR-NET (Twice), JK-SLET, UGC-BSR JRF, GATE Field of research: Molecular Neurobiology Permanent address: Hussaini Villa, Sheshgari Bagh, Hyderpora, Srinagar-190014, J&K. Phone: +91-9797088530, +91-9419015653 E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected] CURRENT POSITION: Working as Assistant Professor (Contractual) at Bioinformatics Centre, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India, with effect from 11th May, 2017 onwards. Actively involved in teaching at post-graduate level and research in the field of molecular neurobiology with emphasis on epidemiology and neurogenetics of multiple sclerosis. ACADEMIC PROFILE: Board/ Marks/Grade S. No. Degree Year of Passing University (%) Ph.D. University of 1. 2016 Not Applicable Biotech Kashmir M.Phil. University of 2. 2012 Grade-A Biotech Kashmir 1467/2000 (73.35%) M.Sc. University of 3. 2010 1st Division/1st Rank Biotech Kashmir Gold Medalist B.Sc. University of 1255/1800 (69.72%) 4. 2008 Biochem Kashmir 1st Division Hr.Sec. II J&K Board of 465/600 (77.5%) 5. (12th) 2005 School Education Distinction Medical 435/500 (87%) J&K Board of 6. Matriculation 2003 Distinction School Education 15th Rank in State COURSES TAUGHT AT PG LEVEL: S. No. Course Title Department Semester 1. Computer Applications in Biology-I Bioinformatics Centre 1st 2. Computer Applications in Biology-II Bioinformatics Centre 2nd 3. Computer Applications in Biology-III Bioinformatics Centre 3rd 4. Bioinformatics Biotechnology 3rd Have supervised 8 M.Sc. students in their research projects in collaboration with Dr. Ehtishamul Haq, Lab Head, Drug Therapeutics & Neurobiology Lab, Department of Biotechnology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Kashmir. Actively involved in the process of paper setting and evaluation for the courses being taught. TRAINING COURSES UNDERTAKEN IN BIOINFORMATICS: Participated and completed 2 weeks Science Academies Refresher Course on “Molecular Biology of Cell with Basics in Bioinformatics and Molecular Modeling”, held at Department of Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India, from 23rd October to 6th November, 2017. Participated and completed 2 weeks training course on “Gene Cloning, Protein Biochemistry, Structural Biology & Bioinformatics”, organized by DBT Biotechnology/Bioinformatics Training Centre and Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Tata Memorial Centre, held at ACTREC, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India, from 4th to 15th December, 2017. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE: Worked as Women Scientist & Principal Investigator (PI) for a period of 3 years from 1st April, 2014 to 31st March, 2017, at Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India, for Ministry of Science & Technology, Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India, New Delhi, funded project entitled “Molecular and functional analysis of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B 5 (EIF2B5) gene in white matter disease of the brain” sanctioned under Women Scientists Scheme (WOS „A‟), vide Order No. SR/WOS-A/LS- 72/2013(G), Dated: 01/01/2014 (Total Grant Received: Rs. 17, 44,000/-). Worked as Junior Research Fellow (JRF) from 6th September, 2013 to 31st March, 2014, at Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, Hazratbal, Srinagar, J&K, India, under University Grants Commission-Basic Science Research Scheme (UGC- BSR) vide Order No. F(UGC-BSR-Res)DFBS/KU/2013/52, Dated: 05/09/2013. PROFESSIONAL EXPOSURE: Ph.D. Biotechnology-„2012-2016‟ from Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India. Supervisor: Dr. Ehtishamul Haq, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India. Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ravouf Asimi, Professor, Head, Department of Neurology, Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), J&K, India. Ph.D. Title: “Molecular analysis of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B 5 (EIF2B5) gene in multiple sclerosis”. M.Phil. Biotechnology-„2011-2012‟ with Grade-A from Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India. Supervisor: Dr. Ehtishamul Haq, Associate Professor, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India. M.Phil. Title: “Molecular analysis of the eukaryotic initiation factor 2B (EIF2B) gene in white matter disease of the brain”. M.Sc. Research Project undertaken at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India, for a period of six months. Title: “Variants of BRCA 2 and their potential to associate with Breast Cancer: Emphasis on Exon 11”. Supervisor: Prof. Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi, Department of Biotechnology, University of Kashmir, J&K, India. RESEARCH SKILLS: Molecular Biology Techniques: DNA and RNA extraction from mammalian systems (blood, cell lines and tissue), Plasmid isolation, Agarose gel electrophoresis, DNA quantification using spectrophotometry, Primer designing, Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR product purification using different methods, Protein isolation and purification, SDS- and Native-PAGE, Western blotting, Gene cloning, Transformation, Mammalian cell culture, Site-directed mutagenesis, Transfection, Expression profiling by RT-PCR and qRT-PCR, XRD, FPLC, Mass Spectrometry. Bioinformatics: Data retrieval from different biological databases available on NCBI like PubMed, GenBank, Swiss-Prot, PDB, OMIM etc.; 3-D Protein structure visualization and measurement of bond length, bond angle and torsion angles using various web tools like RasMol; Secondary, tertiary and quaternary structural analysis; Protein structure prediction tools-PROCHECK, SOPMA; RNA structure prediction analysis software; Chemical structure drawing tool-CHEMSKETCH; Accession to drug bank, Chembank, Pubchem; Finding ORF of a given sequence; Similarity search using the BLAST and interpretation of the results; Phylogenetic analysis using web tools; Pairwise sequence alignment using BLAST and multiple sequence alignment using ClustalX; Primer designing using different online tools and programs like ApE, Primer 3, Primer 3Plus, NCBI/Primer-BLAST, DNASTAR, Primer Premier, OligoPerfect, PerlPrimer, Primer3Plus etc.; Sequence analysis using EMBOSS, Sequencher, Finch TV, BioEdit and Chromas Pro; Retrieving details of a drug molecule; Homology modeling; In silico mutational analysis using tools like Mutation Taster, PROVEAN, SNPs & GO, I-Mutant, Align GVGD Program, I-TASSER, PANTHER, Fathmm, ConSurf, HOPE etc. Statistics: Basic applied biostatistics using GraphPad Prism software. PUBLICATIONS: 1. Ramzan S, Zahoor I, Ahmad P, Ashraf I, Wani AM, Rasool R. Effect of agricultural land-use on carbon sequestration in soils. Biological Forum–An International Journal. 2019;11:117-125. ISSN: 0975-1130. Second Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 2. Shafi A, Zahoor I, Gill T, Ahuja PS, Kumar S, Singh KA. Ectopic co-expression of the SOD and APX genes enhanced callus growth and in vitro regeneration in Arabidopsis. Plant Biotechnology Reports. 2019. ISSN: 1863-5466. Second Author. International. Refereed. Indexed. 3. Shafi A, Gill T, Zahoor I, Ahuja PS, Sreenivasulu Y, Kumar S, Singh KA. Ectopic expression of SOD and APX genes in Arabidopsis alters metabolic pools and genes related to secondary cell wall cellulose biosynthesis and improve salt tolerance. Molecular Biology Reports. 2019;1-18. ISSN: 0301-4851. Third Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 4. Shafi A, Zahoor I, Patial V. Effect of salt stress on ultra-structural, biochemical and physiology of Arabidopsis thaliana. South African Journal of Science. 2019. ISSN: 0038-2353. Second Author. International. Referred. Indexed. (Accepted) 5. Zahoor I, Haq E. Multiple Sclerosis in India: Iceberg or Volcano. Journal of Neuroimmunology. 2017;307:27-30. ISSN: 0165-5728. First/Corresponding Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 6. Zahoor I, Asimi R, Haq E, Wani IF. Demographic and clinical profile of Multiple Sclerosis in Kashmir: A short report. Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. 2017;13:103-106. ISSN: 2211-0348. First/Corresponding Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 7. Zahoor I, Haq E, Asimi R. Multiple Sclerosis in Kashmir: Where we stand? Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2017;373:129-133. ISSN: 0022-510X. First/Corresponding Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 8. Zahoor I, Shafi A, Asimi R. Association of interleukin 7 receptor (IL7R) gene polymorphisms with multiple sclerosis in Kashmir: Preliminary report. International Journal for Science and Advance Research in Technology. 2017;3:711-788. ISSN: 2395-1052. First/Corresponding Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 9. Zahoor I, Shafi A, Mir MA. Lack of association between CD45 C77G polymorphism and multiple sclerosis in Kashmir. International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development. 2017;1:1333-1337. ISSN: 2456-6470. First/Corresponding Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 10. Zahoor I, Asimi R, Haq E. No evidence for a role of Ile587Val polymorphism of EIF2B5 gene in multiple sclerosis in Kashmir Valley of India. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2015;359:172-176. ISSN: 0022-510X. First Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 11. Haq E, Zahoor I, Asimi R. Multiple Sclerosis and Gene Polymorphisms: Are we Groping in the Dark? Journal of Multiple Sclerosis. 2015;2:162. ISSN: 2376-0389. Second Author. International. Referred. Indexed. 12. Khan