Profile
Educational Background
B.S., Botany, Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU), Multan, Pakistan, 2017
M. Phil., Biotechnology, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Islamabad, Pakistan, 2019
Profile/About Me
As a botanist and microbiologist, I am driven by a deep passion for sustainability and ecological restoration. Growing up as the son of a farmer, my early interest in plants sparked a lifelong curiosity that inspired me to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Botany. During my final semester, while conducting research on plant seed proteins, I discovered a cysteine protease with antimicrobial and pesticidal activity. This breakthrough opened up a whole new world of possibilities, leading me to pursue a Master's degree in Biotechnology at the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS).
My Master's degree research focused on plant-microbe interactions and microbial-based formulations, providing me with an in-depth understanding of the critical importance of sustainability in agriculture and the environment. Now, as a Ph.D. student in Microbiology at Clemson University, I am determined to further my knowledge of the beneficial interactions between plants and microbes under climate change scenarios. My ultimate goal is to become a scientific entrepreneur who bridges the gap between industry, university, and farmers by commercializing microbial-based solutions and promoting outreach programs to rehabilitate marginalized lands.
I firmly believe that sustainability is not just a concept but a way of life that we all must embrace to ensure the survival of our planet. Through my research and entrepreneurial endeavors, I aspire to contribute towards a more sustainable and resilient world. By harnessing the power of scientific discoveries, coupled with an unwavering commitment to the well-being of our environment, we can pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future for generations to come.
I invite you to join me on this journey towards a sustainable future, as we work together to create a world where the planet thrives, and all living beings flourish.
Research Interests
- Plant's a(biotic) stress
- Plant rhizobiome
Research Group (Lab)
The Campbell lab
Molecular Microbial Ecology
Selected Publications
Nawaz, M.S., Arshad, A., Rajput, L., Fatima, K., Ullah, S., Ahmad, M. and Imran, A.*, 2020. Growth-stimulatory effect of quorum sensing signal molecule N-acyl-homoserine lactone-producing multi-trait Aeromonas spp. on wheat genotypes under salt stress. Frontiers in microbiology, p.2164. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.553621
Zia, R., Nawaz, M.S., Siddique, M.J., Hakim, S. and Imran, A.*, 2021. Plant survival under drought stress: Implications, adaptive responses, and integrated rhizosphere management strategy for stress mitigation. Microbiological research, 242, p.126626. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2020.126626
Zia, R., Nawaz, M.S., Yousaf, S., Amin, I., Hakim, S., Mirza, M.S. and Imran, A.*, 2021. Seed inoculation of desert plant growth promoting rhizobacteria induce biochemical alterations and develop resistance against water stress in wheat. Physiologia Plantarum, 172(2), pp.990-1006. https://doi.org/10.1111/ppl.13362
Hakim, S., Naqqash, T., Nawaz, M.S., Laraib, I., Siddique, M.J., Zia, R., Mirza, M.S. and Imran, A.*, 2021. Rhizosphere engineering with plant growth-promoting microorganisms for agriculture and ecological sustainability. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 5, p.617157. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2021.617157
Imran, A.*, Sardar, F., Khaliq, Z., Nawaz, M.S., Shehzad, A., Ahmad, M., Yasmin, S., Hakim, S., Mirza, B.S., Mubeen, F. and Mirza, M.S., 2022. Tailored bioactive compost from agri-waste improves the growth and yield of chili pepper and tomato. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 9, p.1366. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2021.78776
Ahmed, M., Imtiaz, M.*, Nawaz, M.S., Mubeen, F., Imran, A.* 2022. What Did We Learn From Current Progress in Heat Stress Tolerance in Plants? Can Microbes Be a Solution?. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13, p.1498. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.794782
Hakim, S., Nawaz, M.S., Siddique, M.J., Hayat, M., Gulzar, U. and Imran, A.*, 2022. Metagenomics for rhizosphere engineering. In Rhizosphere Engineering (pp. 395-416). Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-89973-4.00022-3
Degree Program
PhD Microbiology
