Abdul Mannan Baig
PhD 2020
Position and company: Assistant Professor, Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
Abdul Mannan Baig is a Senior Instructor-Researcher in the department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan, where he leads a research group that collaborate with scientists worldwide.
Their research focuses on the neurosciences, particularly on revealing the pathways adopted by neurotropic microbes to reach the brain. Dr Baig’s other interests include neurodegenerative diseases, neuronal regeneration, discovering drug targets in microbes by using bioinformatic computational tools, homology modelling, and drug docking on microbial proteins.
Dr Baig explained: “My research niche is novel drug target discovery in neuroinvasive microbes. I have published over 55 papers on this research theme in the last 8 years. With COVID-19, my research turned to focus on drug targeting of the S protein in SARS-CoV-2 the neuroinvasiveness of this virus in COVID-19.”
Asked about his greatest achievement to date, he said: “My research article in March 2020, which had over 1800 citations in a year and a half, for the very first time identified loss of smell and taste as symptoms of significance in COVID-19, hinting the SARS-CoV-2 to accessing the brain via nasal viral loads are my greatest accomplishments. Also, my Ph.D. from the University of Sunderland is a landmark achievement in my academic profession.”
Asked about his biggest challenge to date, Dr Baig replied: “Finding funding resources that are interested in translational research outcomes has remained a challenge for my research progression. In the recent COVID-19 era, I found it challenging to convince my peers on anticipating and adopting novel strategies to tackle SARS-CoV-2 infections complications.”
Abdul was attracted to the University of Sunderland because of the quality of the PhD supervisors.
He said: “The University of Sunderland offers diversity and excellent mentors to guide the PhD candidates.
“My supervisors and mentors Dr Tim Paget and Dr Lewis Bingle influenced me the most. Dr Noel Carter also encourages the students during their proposal submission and is very supportive. The administrative staff of the GRS with Ms Lynne Fenwick in particular were very professional and helpful.”
Abdul’s piece of advice for recent graduates is to have an interest in what they do.
He advised: “Graduates entering the job market should be mindful of the opportunities they select, as joining the job that one can do with interest should come first.”
Talking about his future plans, he said: “I plan to join the University of Sunderland as faculty staff and serve the institution that is an icon for research and academic excellence in the UK.”