I joined the Department of Zoology, AMU, as Assistant Professor in 2009. Earlier, I worked as a Guest Faculty (2007-08) in the Zoology Section, Women’s College, AMU, and DST Young Scientist in the Department of Zoology, AMU, in 2008. I was appointed as Associate Professor (Cadre) in 2019. I am  working on neurodegenerative disorders using transgenic Drosophila as a study model for Parkinson’s Disease (expressing human alpha-synuclein) and Alzheimer’s disease (expressing Aβ-42).

I have also worked on the toxicity of various synthetic progestins and anti-cancerous drugs and on the protective effects of natural plant products (in vitro as well as in vivo) and proposed the mechanism of steroid toxicity and possible mechanisms of scavenging the free radicals by natural anti-oxidants. The results have been published in Toxicology Letters, Toxicology in vitro, Chemico-Biological Interactions, Drug and Chemical Toxicology, Human and Experimental Toxicology, Life Sciences, Food and Chemical Toxicology and Fitoterapia. I have also studied the effect of natural plant products on the hepatotoxicity induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in rats. The results have been published in Mutation Research. I have studied the toxic effects of anti-bacterial, nano-particles, alloxan, calcium carbide, and sodium hypochlorite on transgenic Drosophila. The results have been published in Chemosphere,  PLOS One and Biomed Research International.

Our research group has shown that by creating nano-composites, the dose of dopamine agonists can be reduced, and the desired effects can be obtained even at the lowest doses, thereby reducing the possible side effects of the dopamine agonists at higher doses. The study has been published in Disease Models and Mechanisms. The study of ropinirole silver nano-composite (RPAgNC) on the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease showed that it effectively improved cognitive defects. The study concludes that the RpAgNC exerts more neuroprotective effects compared to ropinirole. The study has been published in Neuropharmacology. Our study on Gingerol showed that it does not affect the expression of alpha-synuclein in the brain. However, its anti-oxidant property is responsible for improving the Parkinson’s disease modeled flies. The results have been published in Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology. Our Research Group has studied the effect of natural plant products (Kaempferol, tangeretin, apigenin, curcumin, luteolin, nordihydroguaiaretic acid epicatechin gallate) and plant extracts (Ocimum sanctum, Bacopa monnieri, Eucalyptus citriodora) on the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease.

In the project sanctioned to me by CST, UP to study the genotoxic effects of Pan masala and gutkha among chewers, we have suggested the aneugenic/clastogenic process of the formation of micronuclei in buccal epithelial cells. The study has been published in Mutagenesis. In the projects sanctioned to me by UGC, New Delhi, we studied the biochemical changes that occur due to contraceptive pills (OCs). The result suggests that Ocs increase the level of high-density of lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides. In ICMR funded project, (E)-2(3-hydroxypropyl)imino methyl phenol (HIMP) was synthesized, characterized, and PD flies were allowed to feed on the diet having the desired concentration of HIMP for 24 days. The exposed PD flies showed a dose-dependent significant increase in life span and climbing ability compared to unexposed PD flies. A significant dose-dependent reduction in oxidative stress was also observed in the PD flies exposed to the HIMP. The results showed that HIMP could be used as a possible therapeutic agent against PD symptoms. The results showed that HIMP could be used as a possible therapeutic agent against PD symptoms. The patent has been filled for it (Application Number: 202014041837). Presently, our group is working on the evaluating the therapeutic potential of natural plant products (flavonoids) and the Unani polyherbal formulations (in the projects sanctioned from AYUSH) on the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. The polyherbal formulations have shown a protective effect in the transgenic Drosophila model of Parkinson’s disease. The study has been published in the Journal Heliyon.

Besides being a Gold Medalist at the PG level, I have received more than 20 Awards at the National level, to name a few are the UGC- Research Award (2012-2014) by the University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi, Shakuntala Amir Chand Prize- 2013 from ICMR, New Delhi, ISCB Young Scientist Award-2015 by Indian Society of Chemists and Biologist, CDRI, Lucknow, U.P., DEF-Young Scientist Award-2009 by Academy of Environmental Biology (AEB), ITTR, Lucknow, UP and Prof. G.K. Manna Memorial Award (2019-2020) from the Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA), Kolkata, India. I also received the Young Scientist Award (2007-08) by the Council of Science and Technology, UP., Young Researcher of the Year Award 2018 (below 45 years)- AMU, Aligarh, Mrs. Abida Mahdi Award-2018 from Indian Academy of Biomedical Sciences, Lucknow and SPER Young Scientist Award-2015 by Society of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Gwalior, MP. I have also won several Best Oral Presentation Awards in various National and International Conferences and symposiums.

I have completed more than 12 Major Research Projects with a grant of more than Rs. 2 crores from SERB DST, ICMR, CSIR, UGC, AYUSH and UPCST. I have successfully guided 7 Ph.D., 3 M.Phil, and 3 MD dissertations. I have also Organized a National Seminar (2009) and Symposium (2010) in the Department of Zoology, AMU. I am also a Life Member of more than 15 National Societies. I have served as the Vice President (North Zone) of the Indian Society of Toxicology (IST), Cochin, India (1/4/2010 to 31/3/2012), Joint Secretary of Indian Society of Toxicology (IST), Cochin, India (2016), Member of the Executive Committee of Environmental Mutagen Society of India (EMSI), Mumbai, India (2019-2022) and Joint Director of Centre for Promotion of Science, AMU, Aligarh, UP (2/3/2012 from 2/3/13). I was elected as AMU Court Member w.e.f. 10/4/2015 to 9/4/2018.

I have published more than 158 Research articles, 36 reviews, 5 books (3 Edited), and 13 Chapters in books with a total impact factor of more than 300. The citation of publication is 3405 with h-index-32and i10 -88.