· Bio-remediation, Phytoremediation of organic and inorganic pollutants (Heavy metals, Petroleum products, PCBs, Dyes, Pesticides).

· Climate Change 

·         Nano-Bioremediation of pollutants

·         Environmental microbiology and molecular biology

·         Soil Microbiology, Soil science

·         Biochar, Compost amendments for pollutant removal

· Microbial / rhizosphere ecology, Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria

·         Metagenomics analysis of microorganisms

1.     Physio-Biological Integration for Removal and Decolorization of Dyes and Extraction of Toxic Metals (Chromium and Cadmium) via Electro-Kinetic Process From Textile Wastewater. 2025 Ayaz M, Ali A, Rahman A, Kazmi A, Farooqi S, Song K, Yousaf S*. Environmental Quality Management, 2025; 35:e70208. https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70208

2.   Salt tolerance potential of native plant species and halophilic bacteria from Bahadur Khel and Khewra, Pakistan. 2025. Rehman B, Khalifa WMA, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Manan N, Sajjad A, Toqeer M, Siddiqui GF, Yousaf S, Iqbal M. Kuwait Journal of Science, 52:3, 2025, 100428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.kjs.2025.100428

3. Physicochemical, Enzymatic, and Microbial Responses to Phosphofructokinase Overexpressing Transgenic Potato Cultivation: A Pot Experiment. 2025. Gill MJS, Ali U, Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Iqbal A, Ali A, Rahman F, Yousaf S, Iqbal M. American Journal of Potato Research, 102, 255–270. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-025-09990-w

4.   Comparative immobilization of lead, cadmium, and copper in soil using dead bacterial biomass and graphitic carbon nitride nanomaterials. 2025. Farooqi A, Haq E, Raja HI, Malik HA, Muhammad YS, Safeer SH, Yousaf S*, Lackner M. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 22, 2025, 100714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2025.100714 

5.  Plant growth-promoting bacteria and nanomaterials synergism to enhance Lolium perenne growth and phytoremediation in cadmium-contaminated soil. 2025. Farooqi A, Haq E,  Johansen A, Jensen LE, Iqbal M, Yousaf S*, Lackner M. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances, 21, 2025, 100695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceja.2024.100695

6.  Integration of physio-biological methods for remediation of dyes and toxic metals from textile wastewater. Ayaz M, Khan AHA, Song K, Ali A, Yousaf S*, Kazmi A, Rashid A. 2025. Bioresource Technology Reports. 29, 2025, 102044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biteb.2025.102044

7.  Flood hazard assessment in Chenab River basin using hydraulic simulation modeling and remote sensing. Sajjad A, Lu J, Chen X, Yousaf S, Mazhar N, Shuja S. 2024. Natural Hazards. 120:7679–7700. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-024-06513-4

8.   Electromagnetic biochar: a novel material for cadmium adsorption from industrial wastewater. Rehman, H, Rehman, W, Qu, Z, Ahmad M, Yousaf S, Jamal A, Iqbal M. 2024. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 21, 747–756. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05006-4

9. Biosurfactant-producing Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida performed higher biodegradation of diesel oil than a non-producing fungal strain. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Kiyani A, Barros R, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2023. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology [United States] 59, 282­-289.

10. Sustainability of phytoremediation: Post-harvest stratagems and economic opportunities for the produced metals contaminated biomass. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Santiago-Herrera M, Ibáñez J, Yousaf S, Iqbal M, Martel-Martín S, Barros R. 2023. Journal of Environmental Management [England] 326, 116700.

11.   Uptake and distribution of cadmium and copper by Solanum lycopersicum L. and changes in the metabolite production. Saleem K, Zaman A, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Iqbal A, Khan AHA, Yousaf S, Iqbal M. 2023. Biology Bulletin [United States] https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359022602245.

12.  Soil conditioners improve rhizodegradation of aged petroleum hydrocarbons and enhance the growth of Lolium multiflorum. Hussain F, Khan AHA, Hussain I, Farooqi A, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Arslan M, Yousaf S. 2022. Environmental Science and Pollution Research [Germany] 29, 9097-9109.

13. Interactive effect of biochar and compost with Poaceae and Fabaceae plants on remediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in crude oil contaminated soil. Yousaf U, Khan AHA, Farooqi A, Muhammad YS, Barros R, Tamayo-Ramos JA, Iqbal M, Sohail Yousaf S. 2022. Chemosphere [United Kingdom] 286, 131782.

14. Limited phosphorous supply improved lipid content of Chlorella vulgaris that increased phenol and 2-chlorophenol adsorption from contaminated water with acid treatment. Javed S, Mirza CR, Khan AHA, Khalifa W, Achour B, Barros R, Yousaf S, Butt TA, Iqbal M. 2022. Processes [Switzerland] 10, 2435.

15. Integrative application of soil conditioners and bio‒augmentation for enhanced heavy metal stabilization from wastewater and improved growth of Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hydrida L. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Cheema AS, Tareen U, Nawaz I, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2021. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation [United States] 40, 240-253.

16. Cosmos sulphureus Cav. is more tolerant to lead than copper and chromium in hydroponics system. Aftab N, Saleem K, Khan AHA, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Hussain J, Farooq G, Tahir A, Yousaf S, Zafar MI, Nawaz I, Iqbal M. 2021.  International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology [Iran] 18, 2325-2334.

17. Role of Trametes hirsuta on Petunia hybrida Vilm. in the presence of cadmium and lead. Saleem K, Iqbal A, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Toqeer M, Yousaf S, Zafar MI, Iqbal M. 2021. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology [United States] 68, 116-130.

18. Metal accumulation profile of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don and Celosia argentea L. with EDTA co-application. Qurban M, Mirza CR, Khan AHA, Khalifa W, Boukendakdji M, Achour B, Yousaf S, Nawaz I, Butt TA, Iqbal M. 2021. Processes [Switzerland] 9, 598.

19. Ornamental plants for the phytoremediation of heavy metals: Present knowledge and future perspectives. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Barros R, Ali B, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2021. Environmental Research [United States] 195, 110780.

20. Reduced growth response of ornamental plant Nicotiana alata L. upon selected heavy metals uptake, with co-application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Qu Z, Butt TA, Yousaf S, Iqbal M. 2020. Chemosphere [United Kingdom] 241, 125006.

21. Environmental risk assessment of diclofenac residues in surface waters and wastewater: a hidden global threat to aquatic ecosystem. Hanif H, Waseem A, Kali S, Qureshi NA, Majid M, Iqbal M, Rehman T, Tahir M, Yousaf S, Iqbal MM, Khan IA, Zafar MI. 2020. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment [Netherlands] 192, 204.

22. Enhanced uptake of Cd, Cr, and Cu in Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don by Bacillus cereus: application of moss and compost to reduce metal availability. Mushtaq MU, Iqbal A, Nawaz I, Mirza CR, Yousaf S, Farooq G, Ali MA, Khan AHA, Iqbal M. 2020. Environmental Science and Pollution Research [Germany] 27, 39807-39818.

23.  Influence of Pseudomonas japonica and organic amendments on the growth and metal tolerance of Celosia argentea L. Iqbal A, Mushtaq MU, Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Zeshan, Iqbal M. 2020. Environmental Science and Pollution Research [Germany] 27, 24671-24685.

24.  Lead tolerant endophyte Trametes hirsuta improved the growth and lead accumulation in the vegetative parts of Triticum aestivum L. Malik A, Butt TA, Naqvi STA, Yousaf S, Qureshi MK, Zafar MI, Farooq G, Nawaz I, Iqbal M. 2020. Heliyon [Netherlands] 6, e04188.

25. Organic and chemical amendments positively modulate the bacterial proliferation for effective rhizoremediation of PCBs-contaminated soil. Hayat A, Hussain I, Soja G, Iqbal M, Shahid N, Syed JH, Yousaf S. 2019. Ecological Engineering [Netherlands].138, 412-419.

26. Evaluation of arsenic-induced stress in Dahlia pinnata Cav.: Morphological and physiological response. Raza A, Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Qu Z, Yousaf S, Ali MA, Sayal AU, Iqbal M. 2019. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal [United Kingdom]. 28, 716-728.

27. Soil amendments enhanced the growth of Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hydrida L. by stabilizing heavy metals from wastewater. Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Cheema SA, Iqbal M. 2019. Journal of Environmental Management [England] 242, 46-55.

28. Combined application of selected heavy metals and EDTA reduced the growth of Petunia hybrida L. Khan AHA, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Yousaf S, Nawaz I, Iqbal M. 2019. Scientific Reports (England) 9, 4138.

29. Wheat straw biochar promotes the growth and reduces the uptake of lead, cadmium and copper in Allium cepa L. Ali Z, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Naqvi STA, Mahmood T, Khan N, Iqbal M. 2019. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology [Pakistan] 21, 1173-1180.

30. Biogeochemical cycle, occurrence and biological treatments of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Khan AHA, Ayaz M, Arshad M, Yousaf S, Khan MA, Anees M, Sultan A, Nawaz I, Iqbal M. 2019.  Iranian Journal of Science and Technology Transaction A-Science [Switzerland] 43,1393-1410.

31. Combined application of biochar, compost, and bacterial consortia with italian ryegrass enhanced phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Hussain F, Hussain I, Khan AHA, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Gerhard S, Reichenauer TG, Sheikh, Yousaf S. 2018. Environmental and Experimental Botany [Netherlands] 153, 80-88.

32. Rhizoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated soils: Improvement opportunities and field applications. Hussain I, Puschenreiter M, Gerhard S, Schöftner P, Yousaf S, Wang A, Syed JA, Reichenauer TG. 2018. Environmental and Experimental Botany [Netherlands] 147, 202-219.

33. Role of nutrients in bacterial biosurfactant production and effect of biosurfactant production on petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Alia S, Anees M, Sultan A, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2017. Ecological Engineering [Netherlands] 104, 158-164.

34. The reduction of chromium (VI) phytotoxicity and phytoavailability to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using biochar and bacteria. Arshad M, Khan AHA, Hussain I, Zaman B, Anees M, Iqbal M, Soja G, Linde C, Yousaf S. 2017. Applied Soil Ecology [Netherlands] 114, 90-98.

35. Temperature drives the assembly of endophytic communities’ seasonal succession. Campisano A, Albanese D, Yousaf S, Pancher M, Donati C, Pertot I. 2017. Environmental Microbiology [United Kingdom] 19, 3353-3364.

36. Role of nutrients and illuminance in predicting the fate of fungal mediated petroleum hydrocarbon degradation and biomass production. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Anees M, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Yousaf S.  2016. Journal of Environmental Management [England] 176, 54-60.

37. Effects of illuminance and nutrients on bacterial photo-physiology of hydrocarbon degradation. Khan AHA, Anees M, Arshad M, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2016. Science of the Total Environment [Netherlands] 557 -558, 705-711.

38. Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes on Cu₂O-CuO/TiO₂ anatase powders. Ajmal A, Majeed I, Malik RN, Iqbal M, Nadeem MA, Hussain I, Yousaf S, Zeshan, Mustafa G, Zafar MI, Nadeem MA. 2016. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering [United Kingdom] 4, 2138-2146.

39. Diversity in endophytic populations reveals functional and taxonomic diversity between wild and domesticated grapevines. Campisano A, Pancher M, Puopolo G, Puddu A, Lòpez-Fernàndez S, Biagini B, Yousaf S, Pertot I. 2015. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture [United States] 66, 12-21.

40. High-solids anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and rice husk at different organic loading rates. Jabeen M, Zeshan, Yousaf S, Haider MR, Malik RN. 2015. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation [United Kingdom] 102, 149-153.

41. Effect of mixing ratio of food waste and rice husk co-digestion and substrate to inoculum ratio on biogas production. Haider MR, Zeshan, Yousaf S, Malik RN, Visvanathan C. 2015. Bioresource Technology [United Kingdom] 190, 451-457.

42. The erratic antibiotic susceptibility patterns of bacterial pathogens causing urinary tract infections. Ahmed I, Sajed M, Sultan A, Iram Murtaza, Yousaf S, Maqsood B, Vanhara P, Anees M. 2015. EXCLI Journal [Germany] 4, 916-925.

43. Effect of maternal iodine supplementation on thyroid function and birth outcome in goiter endemic areas. Anees M, Anis RA, Yousaf S, Murtaza I, Sultan A, Arslan M, Shahab M. 2015. Current Medical Research and Opinion [United Kingdom] 31, 667-674.

44. Pyrosequencing detects animal-pathogenic taxa in the grapevine endosphere. Yousaf S, Bulgari D, Bergna A, Pancher M, Quaglino F, Casati P, Campisano A. 2014. Frontiers in Microbiology [Switzerland] 5, 1-9.

45. Bacterial endophytic communities in the grapevine depend on pest management. Campisano A, Antonielli L, Pancher M, Yousaf S, Pindo M, Pertot I. 2014. Plos One [United States] 9 (11): e112763.

46. Interkingdom transfer of the acne-causing agent, Propionibacterium acnes, from human to grapevine. Campisano A, Ometto L, Company S, Pancher M, Antonielli L, Yousaf S, Varotto C, Anfora G, Pertot P, Sessitsch A, Rota-Stabelli O. 2014. Molecular Biology and Evolution (United Kingdom) 31, 1059-65.

47. The endophyte Enterobacter sp. FD17: A powerful maize enhancer selected based on rigorous testing of plant beneficial traits and colonization characteristics. Naveed M, Mitter B, Yousaf S, Pastar M, Afzal M, Sessitsch A. 2014. Biology and Fertility of Soils [Germany] 50, 249-262.

48. Fungal endophytic communities in grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) respond to crop management. Pancher M, Ceol M, Corneo PE, Longa CMO, Yousaf S, Pertot I, Campisano A. 2012. Applied and Environmental Microbiology [United States] 78, 4308-17.

49. The inoculation method affects colonization and performance of bacterial inoculant strains in the phytoremediation of soil contaminated with diesel oil. Afzal M, Yousaf S, Reichenauer TG, Sessitsch A. 2012. International Journal of Phytoremediation [United Kingdom] 14, 35-47.

50. Hydrocarbon degradation, plant colonization and gene expression of alkane degradation genes by endophytic Enterobacter ludwigii strains. Yousaf S, Afzal M, Reichenauer TG, Sessitsch A. 2011. Environmental Pollution [United Kingdom] 159, 2675-2683.

51. Soil type affects plant colonization, activity and catabolic gene expression of inoculated bacterial strains during phytoremediation of diesel. 2011. Afzal M, Yousaf S, Reichenauer TG, Kuffner M, Sessitsch A. Journal of Hazardous Materials [Netherlands] 186, 1568-1575.

52. Hydrocarbon degradation and plant colonization by selected bacterial strains isolated from italian ryegrass and birdsfoot trefoil. Yousaf S, Ripka K, Reichenauer TG, Andria V, Afzal M, Sessitsch A. 2010. Journal of Applied Microbiology [United Kingdom] 109, 1389-1401.

53. Phylogenetic and functional diversity of alkane degrading bacteria associated with italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) in a petroleum oil-contaminated environment. Yousaf S, Andria V, Reichenauer TG, Smalla K, Sessitsch A. 2010. Journal of Hazardous Materials [Netherlands] 184, 523-532.

54. Subsoil compaction effects on soil properties, nutrient uptake and yield of maize fodder Zea mays L.). Raza W, Yousaf S, Niaz A, Rasheed MK, Hussain I. 2005. Pakistan Journal of Botany [Pakistan] 37, 933-940.

55. Growth, nodulation and yield of mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) as influenced by coinoculation with Rhizobium and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria. Raza W, Akhtar MJ, Arshad M, Yousaf S. 2004. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences [Pakistan] 41, 125-130.

Book Chapters

1.  Grapevine endophytes and plant health: A culture independent approach. In: Biocontrol of major grapevine diseases: Yousaf S, Anees M and Campisano A. 2016. Chapter 2: Leading research by S. Compant, F. F. Mathieu, pp 35-51, ISBN: 9781780647128. CAB International, 2016.

2.   Ecology and functional potential of endophytes in bioremediation: A molecular perspective. Yousaf S, Afzal M, Anees M, Malik RN and Campisano A .2014. Chapter 15: In: Advances in Endophytic Research; by VC Verma, AC Gange, pp301-320, ISBN: 978-81-322-1574-5 (Print) 978-81-322-1575-2 (Online). Springer, India.

3.  Ecology of alkane-degrading bacteria and their interaction with the plant. Afzal M, Yousaf S, Reichenauer TG and Sessitsch A. 2013. Chapter 92: In Molecular Microbial Ecology of the Rhizosphere; by Frans J. de Bruijn, Vol. 2. 1st Edition. 10.1002/9781118297674.ch92, Wiley-Blackwell. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA.

1.      2^nd International Conference on Climate Change and Environment. Organized by: Department of Environmental Sciences, QAU. January 11-13, 2023

2. BGRI 2022 Virtual Technical Workshop. Organized by: Cornell University, USA. September 09, 2022. 

3.  3^rd International Young Scientists Symposium on Waste Management and Disposal Technology.  Organized by: Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou, China. August 19-20, 2022. 

4. Environmental and Social Framework (EFS) Training. Organized by: World Bank.  Serena Hotel, Islamabad. June 27-28, 2022. 

5.  National Conference on Impacts of Climate Change on Agriculture and Sustainable Livelihood. Organized by: Department of Environmental Sciences, QAU. February 24, 2022.

6. 1^st International Conference on Climate Change and Environment. Organized by: Department of Environmental Sciences, QAU. February 2-3, 2022.

7. 4^th International Conference on Applied Zoology (ICAZ-2021). Organized by: QAU and AZSP.  November 24-25, 2021.  

8. 3^rd International Conference on Applied Zoology (ICAZ-2020).  Organized by: QAU and AZSP.  December 7-8, 2020. 

9. Sklodowska-Curie Masterclass 2017 Science and Technology Workshop. Organized by: Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark. May 29 to June 01, 2017.

10.  Ozone Layer Protection: The Mission Goes On. Organized by: Climate Change Division, Islamabad. September 16, 2104. 

11. 15^th International Congress of Soil Sciences on Soil Management in Changing Climate. Organized by: Soil Science Society of Pakistan. March 18-20, 2014. 

12. International Conference on Applications of Molecular Biology in Medicine and Agriculture. Organized by: Department of Biochemistry, QAU. August 20-22, 2013. 

13.  Effects of endophytic bacterial strains on yield and growth parameters of Maize. In: Current aspects of European endophyte research. COST Action FA1103: Endophytes in biotechnology and agriculture. 28th -30th March 2012 Reims, France. Abstract P48.

14. Metagenomic analysis of bacterial endophytic communities associated with grapevine (Vitis vinifera L.) In: 28th New Phytologist Symposium on functions and ecology of the plant microbiome, 18th -21st May 2012 Rhodes, Greece. Abstract P91.

15. Characterisation of microbial endophytes from wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera subsp. sylvestris) In: 28th New Phytologist Symposium on functions and ecology of the plant microbiome, 18th -21st May 2012 Rhodes, Greece. Abstract P11.

16. Hydrocarbon degradation and plant colonization by selected bacterial strains isolated from Italian ryegrass and birdsfoot trefoil. In: Workshop Symbiotic Interactions, 19th- 20th November 2009 Munich, Germany. Abstract PG3/13.

17. Hydrocarbon degradation and plant colonization by selected bacterial strains isolated from Italian ryegrass and birdsfoot trefoil, In: 7th International Conference on Phytotechnologies, 26th- 29 September Parma, Italy. Abstract, 89.

18. Hydrocarbon degradation and plant colonization of selected bacterial strains isolated from the rhizosphere and plant interior of Italian ryegrass and Birdsfoot trefoil. In: European geoscience union general assembly, 19th-24th April 2009 Vienna, Austria. Abstract EGU2009, 2465.

19. Diversity of alkane degrading bacteria associated with plants in a petroleum oil-contaminated environment and expression of alkane monooxygenase genes. In: European geoscience union general assembly, 19th-24th April 2009 Vienna, Austria. Abstract EGU2009, 2456.

20.  Hydrocarbon degradation and colonization of selected bacterial strains. In: Boku, Vienna, Austria. 2008.

21. Labelling of Pseudomonas strains with gfp marker gene for studying horizontal gene transfer in situ during bioremediation. In: Boku, Vienna, Austria. 2008.

1.   Restoration of heavy metal contaminated agricultural soil through bacterial immobilization- based phytoremediation. Amount: 3.7 Million PKR, HEC (2018-2023).

2.   Phylogenetic and functional analysis of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) degrading microbes from contaminated soils Amount: 0.5Million; HEC SRGP [2013-2015 Completed].

3. Enhanced Tolerance of Ornamental Plants for Industrial Wastewater Contaminated with Heavy Metals.