Tag Archives: Muslims Scientists of India

Jamia’s Mohammad Zahid Ashraf gets Indian Council of Medical Research Award

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NEW DELHI :

Jamia Millia Islamia’s Professor Mohammad Zahid Ashraf has been honoured with prestigious Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) award for research on oxygen regulation.

Prof. Mohammad Zahid Ashraf receives Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize, an award instituted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Mohammad Zahid Ashraf, professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) has been awarded the prestigious Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize, an award instituted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The prize was given by Union Health Minister, Harsh Vardhan yesterday in recognition of Prof. Ashraf’s research excellence.

Basanti Devi Amir Chand Prize is one of the earliest instituted awards of the ICMR in the year 1953 for the significant research contributions in the field of biomedical sciences.

What was Prof Ashraf’s research famous for?

Prof. Ashraf’s lab has been instrumental in understanding the role of low oxygen due to high altitude in the development of cardiovascular disorders including blood clotting.

The significance of research of cellular reactions in response to low oxygen could be analyzed from the fact that this year’s Nobel Prize committee for physiology or medicine recognized the potential of the discovery of how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability and jointly awarded the three scientists for their landmark discoveries in this field. Oxygen is required for the process of oxidation that produces energy. Therefore, its short supply might result in lung damage, brain dysfunction, heart problems and many more.

” Prof. Ashraf’s research has provided an insight into the role of oxygen-regulated mechanisms behind blood clotting disorders and demonstrated the detrimental effects of low oxygen availability at high altitude.

About Mohammad Zahid Ashraf

Dr Ashraf is Fellow of both National Academy of Sciences and the Indian Academy of Sciences. He is also the recipient of prestigious DBT’s S Ramachandran-National Biosciences Award 2018. He is currently holding the position of Director (Academics) in the university.

Prior to his joining at JMI, he was Head of Genomics Division at Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Delhi.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Education> Today> News / by India Today Web Desk / October 17th, 2019

Sambhajinagar mathematician in Stanford rankings

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Aurangabad, MAHARASHTRA / Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA :

City resident Dr Sharief Deshmukh, a professor in Mathematics at the King Saud University, Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, has featured in the list of the top 2% of mathematicians in the world.

Sambhajinagar mathematician in Stanford rankings
Dr Sharief Deshmukh

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar :

City resident Dr Sharief Deshmukh, a professor in Mathematics at the King Saud University, Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, has featured in the list of the top 2% of mathematicians in the world.

Each year, depending on paper publications, citations, as well as contributions to the field of research, Stanford University identifies research and recognises them under its prestigious list.

Deshmukh, who specializes in ‘differential geometry and its applications’ is the first from the district to bag this prestigious recognition in 2021 and 2022.

Deshmukh intends to give back to society by guiding and helping students in Mathematics.

“Our country has a lot of exceptionally good talent, but it needs proper guidance to perform, compete and excel on the global platform,” Deshmukh told TOI.

As a research scientist, he has 190 publications to his credit. Deshmukh’s work has also been published in the world’s leading international journals and about 2,000 indexed publications.

Deshmukh completed high school and studied BSc Honors in Mathematics from Deogiri College under Marathwada University (Now BAMU) in 1972. He was among the toppers in his master’s degree in 1974.

source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Aurangabad News / by Mohammed Akhef, TNN / July 20th, 2023

Chandrayaan-3 success: Assam scientists Nazneen Yasmin, Baharul Islam shine

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ASSAM:

Scientists Yasmin Nazneen and Baharul Islam
Scientists Yasmin Nazneen and Baharul Islam

Guwahati

 Assam’s Nazneen Yasmin and Dr. Baharul Islam Barbhuyan are among the scientists who contributed to making the ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 land on the South Pole of the Moon.

Nazneen Yasmin, who is from a middle-class family of central Assam’s Nagaon district joined the ISRO after cracking the toughest selection test two years ago. The young scientist has been involved in radar tracking in the launch department of ISRO for more than a year.

But the journey was not easy for Nazeen Yasmin. While she was on maternity leave for her firstborn about six months ago, she was recalled for crucial operations at least twice and she took her child along.

Despite facing the challenges of married life and the post-pregnancy phase Nazeen was very passionate about the Chandrayyan-3. Many a time, Nazeen worked from home by keeping her baby in her lap.

Naznin Yasmin, daughter of Abul Kalam Azad and Manzila Begum of Maherpar near Juria in the remote Nagaon district received her appointment letter as a scientist at the ISRO headquarters in Swar Sriharikotha, Andhra Pradesh around two years back.

Naznin Yasmin received her primary education at Nuruddin Furkania JB School, Juria in Nagaon district in central Assam. She performed brilliant results in the matriculation or Class X final exam from Kadamani Town High School in 2007. She passed the Class XII exam from Alphabita Science Junior College in 2009 with letter marks in several subjects in the science stream. She later obtained her B.Tech in Electronics from NITS Mirza College, Guwahati in 2013 and her M.Tech in First Division from Tezpur University.

Along with working in various private scientific institutions, Nazneen passed the National Eligibility Examination under the University Grants Commission in 2018 and also qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship of the Government of India.

Nazneen Yasmin, who had dreamed of becoming a scientist since childhood, said she was inspired by the success of India’s first female astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She urges the younger generation not to think of themselves as weak and prepare themselves to get a place in the leading institutions of the country through hard work.

Also, Nazneen was inspired by the life and work of former President Dr. APJ Abbul Kalam, who came from a family with modest means, a family source said.

On the other hand, Dr. Baharul Islam Barbhuiyan of south Assam’s Hailakandi has proved that all dreams come true if a person chases them and works hard.

Baharul, 45 is a resident of Syedband II Khand village situated about 5 km from Hailakandi town. He is the pride of the Hailakandi district.

Baharul Islam’s name came into the spotlight after India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft made history by landing on the south pole of the moon on Wednesday evening. He is a prominent scientist at ISRO. He is one of the scientists who played an important role in the success of Chandrayaan-3

Speaking to Awaz-the Voice Assam from ISRO headquarters in Bangalore, Baharul Islam said he was proud to be involved in a historic work that set a record in the space world. He said students have always been interested in space and after the successful landing of Vikram on the South Pole of the Moon. “Success of Charayaan-3 will result in an increase of interest and curiosity about space science among the younger generation,” he said.

He earned his B.Sc from SS College, a Masters in Mathematics from Aligarh Muslim University, PhD from Gujarat University before joining the ISRO.

Baharul’s parents were teachers and they created an environment of science at their home from the very early stage of their son. His father, Moinul Haque Barbhuiyan, has passed away. Mother Rehana is old yet she is excited about her son’s achievement.

“There are no words to express my joy at the moment. I never thought such a day of success would come. People have been calling us since Wednesday,” said Baharul’s brother Enamul Haque.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice/ Home> Story by ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / August 26th, 2023

Small planet named ‘5718 Pattazhy’, after Kerala scientist Dr. Sainudeen Pattazhy

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KERALA:

A minor planet in the solar system, which earlier bore just the number 5718 CD4, has now been named after Kollam based scientist, Dr Sainudeen Pattazhy, reports Ramesh Babu.

Pattazhy was surprised when a representative of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, run by the space agency NASA, telephoned him on Wednesday evening. “I’m not a space scientist and initially thought someone was pulling my leg,” he told Hindustan Times. “But the official explained that my name was chosen after going through my research papers.”

Pattazhy, who teaches zoology at a local college, has carried out pioneering research on many environment related issues such as the phenomenon of ‘red rain’ —which occurred in Kerala in 2001—the control of mosquitoes, the eco biology of ‘sacred groves’, and the health hazards posed by mobile phone towers.

Pattazhy’s suggestions on the health hazards posed by mobile towers are still pending with the Union Ministry of Environment. According to him, the radiation would affect people residing within 300 metres of the towers.

The minor planet — to be henceforth known as ‘5718 Pattazhy’ — was discovered by US-based space scientist Dr R Rajmohan in 1989. There are around 400,000 ‘minor planets’ or asteroids in the solar system, of which 185,685 have well defined orbits and have been allotted numbers by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Around 14,000 of them have been given names.

“It seems the discoverer of the planet forwarded my name after going through my work,” said Pattazhy, adding that he had no idea why he was chosen.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India News / by Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram (headline edited) / May 02nd, 2008

South Africa’s highest awards given to two of its Indian-origin citizens

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SOUTH AFRICA:

Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim served time on Robben Island as a political prisoner alongside Nelson Mandela. 

Dr Aboubaker Ebrahim Dangor is known for his ground-breaking physics research.

National Orders
National Orders winners (Photo | Presidency | South Africa Twitter)

Johannesburg :

Two South African Indian-origin citizens, the late struggle icon Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim and scientist Dr Aboubaker Ebrahim Dangor, were among the many recipients of National Orders when President Cyril Ramaphosa hosted the annual event in Pretoria on Friday.

National Orders are the highest awards that South Africa country bestows on its citizens and eminent foreign nationals who have contributed towards the advancement of democracy and have made a significant impact on improving the lives of South Africans.

The National Orders also recognise the contributions made by individuals towards building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa as envisaged in our Constitution.

Popularly known as ‘Ebie’, Ebrahim passed away after a long illness in December 2019, shortly before his autobiography ‘Beyond Fear — Reflections of a Freedom Fighter’ was released by his wife Shannon.

Ebrahim served time on Robben Island as a political prisoner alongside Nelson Mandela, Ahmed Kathrada and others.

After his father was arrested twice for defying laws that restricted the movement of Indians in South Africa, he joined the liberation struggle at the age of 13.

Ebrahim often shared how he had been inspired by the Satyagraha style of Mahatma Gandhi, which he used in his passionate representation of the ANC in global conflict situations in Sri Lanka, Palestine, Rwanda, Kosovo, Bolivia and Nepal.

After his release, Ebrahim went into exile to continue his work with the ANC, but was abducted by apartheid-era security police from neighbouring Swaziland, tortured and sentenced to a second term on Robben Island. He obtained two university degrees while on Robben Island.

After the release of all political prisoners and the election of Mandela as South Africa’s first democratic president, Ebrahim served in various capacities, including as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Counsellor to Mandela.

Ebrahim’s citation said he was receiving the Order of Luthuli in Gold for his lifelong commitment to the liberation of all South Africans. “He lived by the courage of his conviction and became a formidable opponent to the repressive apartheid government,” it read.

Shannon Ebrahim described her late husband as a “gentle giant, even to his family.”

“He inspired us with his undiluted moral values, his absolute commitment to transform South Africa for the better (even beyond political liberation), and his willingness to engage warring factions in conflicts around the world as a peacemaker. He was the essence of humility and never expected recognition for any of the hardships he endured throughout his life in the cause for freedom,” she said.

His one hope was that South Africans would read his memoir “Beyond Fear” to better understand what revolutionaries of his generation went through to bring about a new South Africa, his wife added.

“(Our children) Sarah, Kadin and I miss him dearly, but will always cherish his legacy,” she said.

“Dr Dangor was awarded the Order of Luthuli in Silver — for his admirable and distinguished contribution to the field of science through his ground-breaking research in physics,” his citation read.

Dangor has been based in the UK since he went there to continue his studies after getting his first Honours degree at Wits University in 1961.

He could not return home permanently because the white minority apartheid government denied entry to his wife from Bermuda, as she was of Black descent.

Widely published in academic journals, Dangor has also overseen scores of doctorate candidates in his career.

“It is particularly humbling for me that the first recipient of the Award was Nelson Mandela, our first post-apartheid president. I hope that being the recipient of this award will encourage the youth in the sciences in South Africa,” Dangor said.

Dangor’s niece, Zubeda Dangor, founder and director of Nisaa Institute for Women in Johannesburg, said he was very shy and did not like the limelight.

He could not attend the ceremony and his award was accepted by his grandnephew Mohammed Raees Dangor.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> World / by PTI / April 30th, 2023

JMI Professor Mohammad Zahid Ashraf elected as fellow of Indian National Science Academy (INSA)

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

pix: twitter.com / @jmiu_official

The Indian Nation Science Academy (INSA) has elected Prof. Mohammad Zahid Ashraf, Head, Department of Biotechnology, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), as a fellow of the academy. His fundamental work on the role of high-altitude hypoxia in the development of cardiovascular and blood clotting disorders has been recognised with the coveted fellowship.


The Indian National Science Academy, one of the most renowned academies in the nation, was founded to promote science in India and utilise scientific knowledge for the benefit of humanity and the nation. As a fellow of the Academy, Prof. Ashraf will work to further the scientific cause of the nation. To his credit, Prof. Ashraf is now elected fellow of all three national science academies – the Indian National Science Academy, the Indian Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Sciences.


JMI Vice-Chancellor Prof Najma Akhtar, who has recently been conferred with Padma Shri Award, congratulated Prof. Ashraf for his outstanding accomplishments. She further mentioned that Prof. Ashraf’s achievements will motivate other faculty members for excelling in research and contribute to the nation’s progress.


Prof. Ashraf is best known for his unique work on high altitude induced blood clotting disorders. His research has had a substantial impact on both fundamental and applied aspects of cardiovascular biology and human diseases. He is a pioneer in the field of highaltitude thrombosis and has done seminal work in unravelling the enigma of blood clotting in response to hypoxia. His remarkable efforts have enriched our understanding
of the prevalence, mechanism, genetics, diagnostics, and development of therapeutics for hypoxia- induced thromboembolic disorders.


Prof. Ashraf’s contribution to the research community is well acknowledged. He is the recipient of the 2020 Visitor’s Award by Hon’ble President of India for biological sciences, The Ramachandran National Bioscience Award by DBT and the Basanti Devi Amir Chand Award of ICMR, among several other accolades.

Prof. Ashraf also holds membership of the prestigious Guha Research Conference and various scientific committees.

source: http://www.jmi.ac.in / Jamia Millia Islamia / Home / by Press Relations Officer, JMI (headline edited) / October 19th, 2022