Dr. Muhammad Afzal, Deputy Chief Scientist/Professor and Group Leader at Soil & Environmental Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE) in Faisalabad, Pakistan, visited the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, on Friday, April 19, 2024.

An esteemed Professional Wetlands Scientist and recipient of prestigious accolades including the President's Award for Pride of Performance, Pakistan Academy of Sciences Gold Medal, and the Nature Research Award for Driving Global Impact, Dr. Afzal brings with him a wealth of expertise in the field of environmental science.

Dr. Afzal's visit aimed to foster collaboration between NIBGE and CEMB, combining wetland and algal technologies to combat mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever and malaria. During the meeting, CEMB researchers, led by Director CEMB Prof. Moazur Rahman, discussed innovative strategies with Dr. Afzal. They focused on using mosquito larvicidal algae and floating treatment wetlands to mitigate mosquito proliferation in wastewater bodies. Recognizing the urgency, both institutes unanimously agreed to collaborate on this pressing national issue. As the collaboration between these esteemed institutions unfolds, it promises to be a beacon of innovation and scientific excellence in the ongoing quest to safeguard human health and the environment.