2025 – present: PhD Program in Biology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland

Supervisor: Dr. hab. Piotr Łukasik

2021 – 2023: M.Phil. in Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

2017 – 2021: B.S. in Microbiology, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan                                                                                                

I am a biologist interested in how organisms interact with one another and how these interactions shape biological function and evolution. My research background spans microbial systems and natural products, and my PhD research now focuses on insect-associated microorganisms and symbiosis.

My interest in microbes began with hands-on work on probiotic bacteria, where I first observed how microorganisms can directly influence host health and performance. This experience shifted my perspective from viewing microbes as isolated entities to seeing them as active partners within biological systems. I later worked on bioactive metabolites from wild mushrooms, which exposed me to the ecological and functional diversity of microbes and fungi in natural environments and strengthened my appreciation for their adaptive roles.

During my doctoral research, my focus moved fully toward host-associated microbial communities. I study Hymenopteran insects collected from different geographic regions to identify their associated microorganisms and examine how microbial communities vary across environments and host lineages. These insects provide an excellent system for studying long-term symbioses, as many species rely on microbial partners for essential nutrients, development, and survival.

I use molecular approaches such as amplicon sequencing, combined with microscopy and bioinformatic analyses, to explore patterns of microbial distribution and stability. A key goal of my PhD is to strengthen my data analysis skills and translate complex microbial datasets into clear and meaningful biological interpretations.