11th PhD Scholar of the Department of Biotechnology Successfully Defends Thesis in Open Public Defense, Presents Groundbreaking Research on Fungal-Mediated Biodegradation of Textile Dyes

The Open Public Thesis Defense of Ms. Isma Fayyaz, PhD Scholar, Department of Biotechnology was held on Friday, 19 of September 2025 at 11:00am in the Video Conference Room, CS&IT Building, City Campus MUST. Ms. Isma conducted her research under the supervision of Dr. Raja Tahir Mahmood, 2nd PhD scholar to be mentored by him & Co-Supervision of Prof. Dr. M. Javaid Asad, Arid University Rawalpindi. She conducted her research on fungal mediated biodegradation of textile dyes and ligninolytic enzymes. She has published two research papers from her Ph.D. research with impact factor over 6. The defense was attended by Dr. Muddassar Zafar, Associate Professor from the University of Gujrat, as external examiner, Prof. Dr. Rehana Asghar T.I., former Vice Chancellor MUST, Mirpur, Prof. Dr. Rashida Hussain, Dean, Faculty of N&AS MUST, Mr. Kamran Hameed, Controller of Examinations MUST, Engr. Zafar Iqbal, Asstt. Director AS&RB, Dr. Abdul Jabbar, Dy. Director QEC, faculty members from different Department, Ph.D. and M.Phil. research scholars, undergraduate students and others.

After the presentation by the Scholar there was a detailed questions & answer session in which students, faculty members and external examiner participated. After that supervisory committee, external examiner, Dean FN&AS, Chairperson, the Controller of Examination, Nominee Director QEC and Nominee Director AS&RB make the final decision about the defense in a separate meeting. The external examiner announces the final decision and appreciated the scholar and the Department of Biotechnology for conducting the quality and excellent research work. Ms. Isma is the 11th PhD scholar of the Department of Biotechnology. Finally, Dr. Raja Tahir Mahmood, Assistant Professor/Supervisor, thanks all the respected guests, faculty members and students for attending the thesis defense.