Synthetic Organic Chemistry

Dr. Sohail Anjum Shahzad

Designation: Associate Professor
Email: sashahzad@cuiatd.edu.pk
Phone No. : 0092-(0)992-383591-6
Role: Faculty
Research Interests:

Current Research Projects 2013 - 2017

  • Synthesis of new biomolecules enzyme inhibitors
  • Organometallic chemistry
  • Development of new Chemical Sensors
  • Microwave assisted synthesis
  • Infection imaging agents
  • Synthesis of biomaterials

Projects 2010 - 2012

  • Photochemical synthesis
  • Green chemistry
  • Heterocyles synthesis

Projects 2006 - 2010

  • Selenium catalyzed methods development to target medicinal important compounds
  • Selenium/sulfur based methods development to target biomolecules
  • Green chemistry
  • Selenium-mediated methods development to effect carbon-carbon bond formation
  • Selenium-mediated rearrangements

Projects 2003 - 2006

  • Natural product synthesis
  • Microwave synthesis

We were involved in the organic synthesis where I developed Microwave-Assisted synthesis applying knowledge and skill in synthetic chemistry. I also involved in the synthesis of biologically active molecules and developed a high throughput approach screening for the discovery of potent inhibitors against urease and lipoxygenase. My current research involves the development of novel synthetic methods in the field of synthetic chemistry/organometallics/biomaterials and to prepare novel hypervalent iodine reagents. I am also interested in the design and synthesis of heterocycles as anti-cancer agents. At this moment, we are working in the development of new chemical sensors & biosensors.

I have been involved in the target directed and methods development oriented advance synthesis particularlysynthesis of diversely substituted carbocycles (dihydronaphthalenes, benzofluorenes, biaryls scaffolds).Current interests centre on the synthesis of a variety of bioactive heterocyles including selenium-promoted catalytic and non-catalytic methodologies. Selenium reagents are versatile alternative reagents in reactions traditionally employing heavy metal complexes to achieve carbon-carbon bond formation. Due to their high reactivity, even the functionalization of unactivated alkenes and subsequent carbon-carbon bond formation can be achieved under extremely mild reaction conditions. My synthetic skills, ranging from the far-reaching implications of selenium catalysis, Lewis acids and Hypervalent iodine in the construction of biologically and industrially important molecules, I investigated and presented the numerous contributions to synthetic organic methodology. Today, I continue to devise and refine diverse aspects of synthetic technology, as dictated by emerging essentials in the realms of materials and polymer science, organometallic chemistry, nanotechnology, catalysis, drug research, and chemical biology. Such advances in the field of synthesis have enabled the development of many exciting findings, including evaluation of drug candidates, advanced materials, diagnostic tools, my outstanding skills in synthetic, bioorganic and bio-analytical chemistry demonstrated proven ability to carry out said project of chemistry.

Academics/ Degrees

  • PhD, Cardiff University, United Kingdom, 2010
  • M. Phil., Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2003
  • M.Sc., Institute of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, 2000

Profile/Bio

PROFESSIONAL AND RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
  • April 11, 2022 to date: Tenured Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus
  • Feb. 2012 to April 10, 2022: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus
  • Nov. 210 to Jan. 2012: Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, GC University, Lahore, Pakistan
  • Oct. 2006 to Oct. 2010: PhD Scholar, School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, UK
  • Oct. 2003 to Oct. 2006: Research Scholar, HEJRI of Chemistry, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
  • Oct. 2001 to Oct. 2003: M.Phil. Research Scholar, Department of Chemistry Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad

Publications/Papers

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2017


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2013


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Associations/Memberships

  • Member, Chemical Society of Pakistan

Awards/ Appreciations

  • 2019: Best Young Researcher Award, COMSATS University Islamabad, Abbottabad Campus 
  • 2018: Award of Competitive Joint Research Grant by PSF-NSFC (Pakistan-China)
  • 2017: Appreciation by CUI, Abbottabad Campus.
  • 2016: Award of Competitive Research Grant under NRPU (HEC Pakistan).
  • 2016: Research Grant (for Young International Scientists) by NSFC of China.
  • 2014-2015: Postdoctoral Fellowship Award by Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
  • 2012-2016: Research Productivity Award by CUI, Pakistan.
  • 2011: Best PhD Thesis Award by Cardiff University, United Kingdom.
  • 2006-2010: MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan and Cardiff University, UK for Ph. D studies in United Kingdom.