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Name: Dr. Mazhar Iqbal
Designation: Associate Professor (Tenured)
Department: Environmental Sciences


Qualifications: PhD (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)
The Netherlands


Phone: +92-51 9064-4140
Email: mazz366@gmail.com
miqbal@qau.edu.pk
Status: On Job
Other Weblink:

View Resume

Research Interests Publications Conferences Research Projects

Environmental Biotechnology and Bioremediation

Heavy Metal Toxicity and tolerance/accumulation mechanisms in plants

Phytoremediation

Molecular Plant Biology

Plant Biotechnology

Identification of molecular mechanisms for heavy metal tolerance and accumulation and transfer of these mechanisms to high biomass plants or agricultural crops.

List of Publications

  1. Rehman H, Rehman W, Qu Z, Ahmad M, Yousaf S, Jamal A, Iqbal M*. 2023. Electromagnetic biochar: a novel material for cadmium adsorption from industrial wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05006-4 (IF = 3.1)
  2. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Kiyani A, Barros R, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2023. Biosurfactant producing Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Candida performed higher biodegradation of diesel oil than a non-producing fungal strain. Applied Biochemistry and Microbiology. 59, 282-289. (IF = 0.8 Q4)
  3. Saleem K, Zaman A, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Iqbal A, Khan AHA, Yousaf S, Iqbal M*. 2023. Uptake and distribution of cadmium and copper by Solanum lycopersicum L. and changes in the metabolite production. Biology Bulletin. 50(3), 390-399 (IF = 0.5 Q4)
  4. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Santiago-Herrera M, Ibáñez J, Yousaf S, Iqbal M, Martel-Martín S, Barros R*. 2023. Sustainability of phytoremediation: post-harvest stratagems and economic opportunities for the produced metals contaminated biomass. Journal of Environmental Management. 326, 116700 (IF = 8.7 Q1)
  5. Khan AHA, Kazmi SZ, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Gul N, Barros R, Yousaf Y, Iqbal M*. 2023. Effect of soil amendments on the enzymatic profile of soil when Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hybrida L. were irrigated with synthetic heavy metal-contaminated wastewater. Chiang Mai Journal of Science. 50(1): e2023008 (IF = 0.4 Q4)
  6. Javed S, Mirza CR, Khan AHA, Khalifa W, Achour B, Barros R, Yousaf S, Butt TA*, Iqbal M*. 2022. Limited phosphorous supply improved lipid content of Chlorella vulgaris that increased phenol and 2-chlorophenol adsorption from contaminated water with acid treatment. Processes. 10(11), 2435. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10112435 (IF = 3.5 Q2)
  7. Zhang X, Qu Z*, Wang Q, Iqbal M. 2022. Geometry design and mechanism analysis of artificial nanoroughness for enhanced osmotic energy conversion. Energy Conversion and Management. 273, 116373 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116373 (IF = 10.4 Q1)
  8. Malik JA, Musharraf S, Safdar R, Iqbal M*. 2022. Myths and misconception of COVID-19 among hospital sanitary workers in Pakistan: Efficacy of a training program intervention. BMC Health Services Research. 22, 818. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08217-6 (IF = 2.8 Q1)
  9. Yousaf U, Khan AHA, Farooqi A, Muhammad YS, Barros R, Tamayo-Ramos JA, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2022. Interactive effect of biochar and compost with Poaceae and Fabaceae plants on remediation of total petroleum hydrocarbons in crude oil contaminated soil. Chemosphere. 286, 131782. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131782 (IF = 8.8 Q1)
  10. Hussain F, Khan AHA, Hussain I, Farooqi A, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Arslan M, Yousaf S. 2022. Soil conditioners improve rhizodegradation of aged petroleum hydrocarbons and enhance the growth of Lolium multiflorum. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 29, 9097-9109 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-16149-7 (IF = 5.8 Q2)
  11. Mustafa G, Ali MA, Amith DL, Masood S, Qayyum MF, Ahmed N, Rehman AU, Ahmad S, Hussain S, Arshad M, Muneer S, Khan AHA, Fahad S, Datta R, Iqbal M, Schwinghamer TD. 2021. Formalin fumigation and steaming of various composts differentially influence the nutrient release, growth and yield of muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.). Scientific Reports. 11, 21057 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-99692-0 (IF = 4.6 Q1)
  12. Saleem K, Iqbal A, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Toqeer M, Yousaf S, Zafar MI, Iqbal M*. 2021. Role of Trametes hirsuta on Petunia hybrida Vilm. in the presence of cadmium and lead. Russian Journal of Plant Physiology. 68, S116-S130. (IF = 1.4 Q3)
  13. Rehman R, Ali MI, Ali N, Badshah M, Iqbal M, Jamal A, Huang Z. 2021. Crude oil biodegradation potential of biosurfactant-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Meyerozyma sp. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 418, 126276. (IF = 13.6 Q1)
  14. Qurban M, Mirza CR, Khan AHA, Khalifa W, Boukendakdji M, Achour B, Yousaf S, Nawaz I, Butt TA, Iqbal M*. 2021. Metal accumulation profile of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G.Don and Celosia argentea L. with EDTA Co-Application. Processes. 9, 598. (IF = 3.5 Q2) https://doi.org/10.3390/pr9040598
  15. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Mirza CR, Butt TA, Barros R, Ali B, Iqbal M*, Yousaf S*. 2021. Ornamental plants for the phytoremediation of heavy metals: Present knowledge and future perspectives. Environmental Research. 195, 110780 (IF = 8.3 Q1)
  16. Khan AHA, Kiyani A, Cheema AS, Tareen U, Nawaz I, Iqbal M*, Yousaf S. 2021. 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. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation. 40, 240-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00344-020-10094-4 (IF = 4.8 Q1)
  17. 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. Cosmos sulphureus Cav. is more tolerant to lead than copper and chromium in hydroponics system. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 18, 2325-2334 doi:10.1007/s13762-020-02981-w (IF = 3.1 Q1)
  18. Haroon H, Shah JA, Khan MS, Alam T, Khan R, Asad SA, Ali MA, Farooq G, Iqbal M*, Bilal M**. 2020. Activated carbon from a specific plant precursor biomass for hazardous Cr(VI) adsorption and recovery studies in batch and column reactors: Isotherm and kinetic modeling. Journal of Water Process Engineering. 38, 101577 (IF = 7 Q1)
  19. Jabbar A, Rehman B, Iqbal M, Ahmed R, Mahmood S, Baig MA. 2020. Elemental analysis of plants cultivated in saline soil by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS). Analytical Letters. https://doi.org/10.1080/00032719.2020.1802738 (IF = 2 Q3)
  20. Malik A, Butt TA, Naqvi STA, Yousaf S, Qureshi MK, Zafar MI, Farooq G, Nawaz I, Iqbal M*. 2020. Lead tolerant endophyte Trametes hirsuta improved the growth and lead accumulation in the vegetative parts of Triticum aestivum L. Heliyon. 6, e04188 (IF = 4 Q1)
  21. Mushtaq MU, Iqbal A, Nawaz I, Mirza CR, Yousaf S, Farooq G, Ali MA, Aqib Khan AHA, Iqbal M*. 2020. 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. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 27: 39807-39818 doi:10.1007/s11356-020-08839-5 (IF = 5.8 Q2)
  22. Neelab, Asi MR, Kali S, Riaz MA, Waseem A, Iqbal MM, Ahmad N, Iqbal M, Masood N, Zafar MI. 2020. Comparative efficacy of mitigation techniques for the detoxification of Prunus persica (L.) from selected pesticide residues. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 27: 39786-39794 doi:10.1007/s11356-020-08720-5 (IF = 5.8 Q2)
  23. Hanif H, Waseem A, Kali S, Qureshi NA, Majid M, Iqbal M, Rehman T-U, Tahir M, Yousaf S, Iqbal MM, Khan IA, Zafar MI. 2020. Environmental risk assessment of diclofenac residues in surface waters and wastewater: a hidden global threat to aquatic ecosystem. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 192, 204 (IF = 3 Q2)
  24. Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Qu Z, Butt TA, Yousaf S, Iqbal M*. 2020. Reduced growth response of ornamental plant Nicotiana alata L. upon selected heavy metals uptake, with co-application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Chemosphere. 241: 125006 (IF = 8.8 Q1)
  25. Iqbal A, Mushtaq MU, Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Zeshan, Iqbal M*. 2020. Influence of Pseudomonas japonica and organic amendments on the growth and metal tolerance of Celosia argentea L. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 27: 24671-24685 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-06181-z (IF = 5.8 Q2)
  26. Jabbar A, Akhtar M, Mehmood S, Iqbal M, Ahmed R, Baig MA. 2019. Quantification of copper remediation in the Allium cepa L. leaves using electric field assisted laser induced breakdown spectroscopy. Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy (Netherlands). 162, 105719 (IF = 3.3 Q1).
  27. Fareed A, Riaz S, Nawaz I, Iqbal M, Ahmed R, Hussain J, Hussain A, Rashid A, Naqvi TA. 2019. Immobilized cells of a novel bacterium increased the degradation of N-methylated carbamates under low temperature conditions. Heliyon 5, e02740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e02740 (IF = 4 Q1)
  28. Raza A, Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Qu Z, Yousaf S, Ali MA, Sayal AU, Iqbal M*. 2019. Evaluation of Arsenic-induced stress in Dahlia pinnata Cav.: Morphological and physiological response. Soil and Sediment Contamination: An International Journal. 28: 716-728 (IF = 2 Q3)
  29. Muazzam B, Munawar K, Khan IA, Jahan S, Iqbal M, Asi MR, Farooqi A, Nazli A, Hussain I, Zafar MI. 2019. Stress response and toxicity studies on zebrafish exposed to endosulfan and imidacloprid present in water. Journal of Water Supply Research and Technology-AQUA. 68 (8): 718-730 (IF = 4.3 Q2)
  30. Hayat A, Hussain I, Soja G, Iqbal M, Shahid N, Syed JH, Yousaf S. 2019. Organic and chemical amendments positively modulate the bacterial proliferation for effective rhizoremediation of PCBs-contaminated soil. Ecological Engineering.138: 412-419. (IF = 3.8 Q1)
  31. Khan AHA, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Cheema AS, Iqbal M*. 2019. Soil amendments enhanced the growth of Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hydrida L. by stabilizing heavy metals from wastewater. Journal of Environmental Management. 242: 46-55. (IF = 8.7 Q1)
  32. Nawaz I, Iqbal M*, Hakvoort HWJ, de Boer AH, Schat H. 2019. Analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana HKT1 and Eutrema salsugineum/botschantzevii HKT1;2 promoters in response to salt stress in Athkt1:1 mutant. Molecular Biotechnology. 61(6), 442-450. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12033-019-00175-5 (IF = 2.6 Q2)
  33. Khan AHA, Butt TA, Mirza CR, Yousaf S, Nawaz I, Iqbal M*. 2019. Combined application of selected heavy metals and EDTA reduced the growth of Petunia hybrida L. Scientific Reports. 9:4138. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-40540-7 (IF = 4.6 Q1)
  34. Ali Z, Nawaz I, Yousaf S, Naqvi STA, Mahmood T, Khan N, Iqbal M*. 2019. Wheat straw biochar promotes the growth and reduces the uptake of lead, cadmium and copper in Allium cepa L. International Journal of Agriculture and Biology. 21: 1173-1180.
  35. Khan AHA, Ayaz M, Arshad M, Yousaf S, Khan MA, Anees M, Sultan A, Nawaz I, and Iqbal M*. 2019. Biogeochemical cycle, occurrence and biological treatments of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Iranian Journal of Science and Technology, Transactions A: Science. 43(3), 1393-1410 doi.org/10.1007/s40995-017-0393-8 (IF = 1.7 Q2)
  36. Hussain F, Hussain I, Khan AHA, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Soja G, Reichenauer TG, Sheikh, Yousaf S. 2018. Combined application of biochar, compost, and bacterial consortia with Italian ryegrass enhanced phytoremediation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 153: 80-88. (IF = 5.7 Q1)
  37. Li Y, Iqbal M, Zhang Q, Spelt C, Bliek M, Hakvoort HWJ, Quattrocchio FM, Koes R and Schat H. 2017. Two Silene vulgaris copper transporters residing in different cellular compartments confer copper hyper-tolerance by distinct mechanisms when expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. New Phytologist. 215:1102-1114 doi: 10.1111/nph.14647 (IF = 9.4 Q1)
  38. Nawaz I, Iqbal M, Bliek M, and Schat H. 2017. Salt and heavy metal tolerance and expression levels of candidate tolerance genes among four extremophile Cochlearia species with contrasting habitat preferences. Science of the Total Environment. 584-585: 731-741 (IF = 9.8 Q1)
  39. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Alia S, Anees M, Sultan A, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2017. Role of nutrients in bacterial biosurfactant production and effect of biosurfactant production on petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation. Ecological Engineering. 104: 158-164 (IF = 3.8 Q1)
  40. Arshad M, Khan AHA, Hussain I, Zaman B, Anees M, Iqbal M, Soja G, Lindef C, Yousaf S. 2017. The reduction of chromium (VI) phytotoxicity and phytoavailability to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using biochar and bacteria. Applied Soil Ecology. 114: 90-98 (IF = 4.8 Q1)
  41. Khan AHA, Tanveer S, Anees M, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2016. Role of nutrients and illuminance in predicting the fate of fungal mediated petroleum hydrocarbon degradation and biomass production. Journal of Environmental Management. 176: 54-60. (IF = 8.7 Q1)
  42. Khan AHA, Anees M, Arshad M, Muhammad YS, Iqbal M, Yousaf S. 2016. Effects of illuminance and nutrients on bacterial photo-physiology of hydrocarbon degradation. Science of the Total Environment. 557-558: 705-711. (IF = 9.8 Q1)
  43. Ajmal A, Majeed I, Malik RN, Iqbal M, Nadeem MA, Hussain I, Yousuf S, Zeshan, Mustafa G, Zafar MI, Nadeem MA. 2016. Photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes on Cu2O-CuO/TiO2 anatase powders. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 4(2): 2138-2146 (IF = 7.7 Q1)
  44. Khan S, Zaffar H, Irshad U, Ahmad R, Khan AR, Shah MM, Bilal M, Iqbal M, Naqvi T. 2016. Biodegradation of malathion by Bacillus licheniformis strain ML-1. Archives of Biological Sciences. 68(1), 51-59 (IF = 0.8 Q3)
  45. Ahmad N, Ullah F, Hussain I, Ahmad K, Raza G, Sajjad Y, Iqbal M, Adil M, Ali M. 2016. Soybean (Glycine max) Extracts Impacts on Plant and Soil Biology. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis. 47(15):1751-1763 DOI:10.1080/00103624.2016.1206920 (IF = 1.8 Q2)
  46. Ali A, Iqbal M, Ali Q, Razzaq A, Nasir IA. 2016. Gene Profiling for Invertase Activity: Assessment of Potato Varieties for Resistance towards Cold Induced Sweetening. Advancements in Life Sciences. 3(2): 63-70. http://www.alsjournal.com/articles/vol3issue2/325.16/325.16.pdf (Q4)
  47. Nawaz I, Iqbal M, Hakvoort HWJ, Bliek M, de Boer B, Schat H. 2014. Expression levels and promoter activities of candidate salt tolerance genes in halophytic and glycophytic Brassicaceae. Environmental and Experimental Botany. 99:59-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2013.10.006 (IF = 5.7 Q1)
  48. Iqbal M, Nawaz I, Hassan Z, Hakvoort HWJ, Bliek M, Aarts MGM, Schat H. 2013. Expression of HMA4 cDNAs of the zinc hyperaccumulator Noccaea caerulescens from endogenous NcHMA4 promoters does not complement the zinc-deficiency phenotype of the Arabidopsis thaliana hma2hma4 double mutant. Frontiers in Plant Science. 4:404. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2013.00404 (IF = 5.6 Q1)
  49. Iqbal M, Akhtar J, Haq MA, Nasim M, Saeed A, Naveed M. 2007. Variation in growth and ion uptake in rice cultivars under NaCl stress in hydroponics. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences. 44:393-405. http://pakjas.com.pk/papers%5C280.pdf (IF = 0.8 Q3)

                                                                                                        Total IF = 235.7

 Book Chapters

  1. Bushra Rehman, Mazhar Iqbal*, and Ismat Nawaz (2019) Chapter 15: Toxicity, Eco-toxicity, and Phytoremediation of e-Waste. In: Electronic Waste Pollution: by Muhammad Zaffar Hashmi and Ajit Varma, pp 221-232, ISBN: 978-3-030-26614-1 (Print) 978-3-030-26615-8 (Online). Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
  2. Muhammad Arif Ali, Fariha Ilyas, Muhammad Arshad, Sajjad Hussain, Mazhar Iqbal, Shakeel Ahmad, Abdul Saboor, Ghulam Mustafa, and Niaz Ahmed (2019) Chapter: Microbial Inoculation of Seeds for Better Plant Growth and Productivity. In: Priming and Pretreatment of Seeds and Seedlings; by Mirza Hasanuzzaman and Vasileios Fotopoulos, pp 523-550, ISBN: 978-981-13-8624-4 (Print) 978-981-13-8625-1 (Online). Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

  1. Organized one day seminar on “Challenges, Opportunities and Trends in Biotechnology in Pakistan” on March 22, 2023, at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  2. Organized “2nd International Conference on Climate Change & Environment” on January 11 - 13, 2023, at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  3. Organized “1st International Conference on Climate Change & Environment” on February 2-3, 2022, at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
  4. Muhammad Umair Mushtaq, Ameena Iqbal, Aqib Hassan Ali Khan, Ismat Nawaz, Sohail Yousaf, Mazhar Iqbal*. Bacillus cereus enhanced uptake of Cd, Cr and Cu in Catharanthus roseus L. while moss and compost improved plant growth by reducing metal uptake. International Conference on Environmental Toxicology and Health (ESCON, 2019), February 25-27, 2019, Vehari, Pakistan.
  5. Mazhar Iqbal, Muhammad Umair Mushtaq, Ameena Iqbal, Ismat Nawaz. Influence of Pseudomonas japonica on growth and metal tolerance of Celosia cristata L. The 11th International Conference on the Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering (CESE-2018), 4-8 November, Bangkok, Thailand.
  6. Mazhar Iqbal, Amna Raja, Ismat Nawaz. Biochar mediated phytoremediation of heavy metal contaminated soil using Nicotiana tabacum expressing NcHMA4. 2nd International Congress & Expo on Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 25-27 September 2017, Valencia Spain (Oral)
  7. Preparing Biological Laboratories for Certification in Biorisk Management. December 10-13, 2016, Marriot Hotel, Karachi
  8. Hands on Training Workshop on Agriculture Production System Simulator (APSIM) Modeling. August 30-September 01, 2016, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
  9. Mazhar Iqbal, Henk WJ Hakvoort, Henk Schat. Expression of HMA4 cDNAs under the HMA4 promoter from a zinc hyperaccumulator (Noccaea caerulescens) does not fully restore Zn translocation in the Arabidopsis thaliana hma2hma4 double mutant. 4th and 5th April 2011 in Lunteren, The Netherlands (Oral and poster).
  10. Mazhar Iqbal, Miluscia Arnetoli, Henk WJ Hakvoort, Henk Schat. The Role of the 1b P-type Heavy Metal Transporting ATPase HMA4 in heavy metal hypertolerance and translocation in non-hyperaccumulator metallophytes. 11th International Conference on the Biogeochemistry Trace Elements (ICOBTE-2011). 3-7 July 2011 in Conference Center-Florence Italy (Oral).
  11. Ilaria Colzi, Sara Pignattelli, Mazhar Iqbal, Miluscia Arnetoli, Cristina Gonnelli, Henk Schat. HMA2 expression in metallicolous and nonmetallicolous non-hyperaccumulator metallophytes. COST Action FA0905 Mineral Improved Crop Production for Healthy Food and Feed. 23-26 November 2011, Instituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti - Venice, Italy (Poster).
  12. Sara Pignattelli, Ilaria Colzi, Mazhar Iqbal, Miluscia Arnetoli, Cristina Gonnelli, Henk Schat. The role for HMA5 in copper hypertolerance in the metallophyte Silene paradoxa. COST Action FA0905 Mineral Improved Crop Production for Healthy Food and Feed. 23-26 November 2011, Instituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti - Venice, Italy (Poster).
  1. “Assessment and Training of occupational safety measures for sanitary staff working at COVID-19 health care facilities” funded by WHO.
  2. “Combined effect of biochar as inoculant carrier of GFP tagged metal remediating bacteria and expression of metal tolerance proteins, to reduce phytoavailability of heavy metals” funded by HEC (NRPU 2016-17).
  3. “Risk assessment of transgenic potato on microbial community, enzymatic activity and physical/chemical properties of soils from major potato growing areas of Pakistan” (CERA under The Biosafety Research in Pakistan Grants Program, http://cera-gmc.org/BRPGP_2014).
  4. “Transgenic expression of Noccaea caerulescens heavy metal tolerant gene (HMA4) in tobacco” (HEC Start-up).

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