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| Prof. Waseem Ahmad (Faridi) |
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Professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology
Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research
King Abdulaziz University
Jeddah
Brief Profile: Dr. Waseem Ahmad is a professor of Genetics and Molecular Biology. He obtained his M.Sc (1975), M.Phil (1978) and Ph.D (1980) and subsequently joined as Post Doc in Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. In 1985, he joined as faculty in the same university. He has vast experience of teaching and research nationally and internationally. His work on Molecular Genotoxicity and Genomic Medicine is evidenced by many rewards, grants and research publications in the peer reviewed journals of international repute. He acted as consultant to many research organizations and authored many books. Recently he authored a book on 'Genetics and Genomics' for Pearson Publication Incorporation. His experience with CEGMR has two visits.
The first Advent of Prof. Waseem coincided with the formative days in year 2006; when the concept of CEGMR was being conceived. The research programs were created and a skeletal staff had taken over. The stone for CEGMR was set rolling. In this scenario, the CEGMR delegation set forth for Indian shores under the guidance and leadership of Prof. M.H. AlQahtani. Other members of delegation were Prof. Adel Abuzenadah, Prof. Adeel Chaudhary, Prof. Mamdooh Gari and Prof. Waseem Ahmad. An itinerary was prepared and cosmopolitan cities were targeted for scientific partnerships and recruitments of research personnel. Four mega cities- New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai (Bombay) and Banglore; all known for renowned universities, famous institutes and research organization were chosen. Some of the important ones were selected, like; Delhi University (DU), Jwaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Hamdard University, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), National Institute of Immunology(NII), Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology (IGIB), The Center for Genomic Applications (TCGA), Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tata Institute of Fundamental Researches (TIFR) and Advanced Center for Treatment, Research and Education (ACTREC). All along this while, the areas of common interest and strategies of collaboration were discussed. Many memorandum of understanding were signed.
The first Advent of Prof. Waseem coincided with the formative days in year 2006; when the concept of CEGMR was being conceived. The research programs were created and a skeletal staff had taken over. The stone for CEGMR was set rolling. In this scenario, the CEGMR delegation set forth for Indian shores under the guidance and leadership of Prof. M.H. AlQahtani. Other members of delegation were Prof. Adel Abuzenadah, Prof. Adeel Chaudhary, Prof. Mamdooh Gari and Prof. Waseem Ahmad. An itinerary was prepared and cosmopolitan cities were targeted for scientific partnerships and recruitments of research personnel. Four mega cities- New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai (Bombay) and Banglore; all known for renowned universities, famous institutes and research organization were chosen. Some of the important ones were selected, like; Delhi University (DU), Jwaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Hamdard University, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), National Institute of Immunology(NII), Institute of Genomic and Integrative Biology (IGIB), The Center for Genomic Applications (TCGA), Center for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Tata Institute of Fundamental Researches (TIFR) and Advanced Center for Treatment, Research and Education (ACTREC). All along this while, the areas of common interest and strategies of collaboration were discussed. Many memorandum of understanding were signed.
Nevertheless, drafts of five departments- Dept. of Medical and Functional Genomics, Dept. of Pharmacogenetics, Dept. of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Dept. of Reproductive and Developmental Genomics and Dept. of Bioinformatics, have been prepared and approved by the competent bodies. For this to accomplish – serious deliberations, review, assessments of three foreign universities, further evaluation, discussion and ensuing approval following incorporation of suggestions by the administration of the Centre, Council of Deanship and Council of President of KAU- in itself could be called a commendable progress. Not only this, a handsome grant for multi-storey building has been approved as well. This and many other tasks, not mentioned here, have been done ably with Prof. Mohammad AlQahtani and Prof. Waseem Ahmad at the realm of affairs and of course, our entire faculty deserves a clap.
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