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Dr. Uzma Hanif

Dr. Uzma Hanif

Associate Professor / Chairperson
Department: Botany
Email: uzmahanif@gcu.edu.pk
Research Interests: Algal Biotechnology, Plant Anatomy and Phytochemistry of medicinal plants
Biography

Dr Uzma Hanif is an accomplished academic leader, researcher, and science communicator currently serving as the Associate Professor and Chairperson at the Department of Botany, Government College University (GCU) Lahore, Pakistan. A Gold Medalist in her field, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in teaching, research, and academic leadership throughout her distinguished career. With a deep commitment to academic development and scientific advancement, Dr. Hanif has supervised more than 85 undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, guiding young scholars in diverse areas of plant sciences and published more than 85 research articles nationally and internationally with H-index 18. Dr. Hanif successfully initiated the BS Biology program for the first time in the 112-year history of the department—an achievement that reflects her foresight, innovation, and dedication to institutional growth. In her editorial and scholarly contributions, Dr. Hanif holds the distinction of being the founding Chief Editor of the Ravian Journal of Plant Sciences, a research publication of GCU Lahore, Pakistan. Dr. Hanif has been honored with Gold Medal and Academic Role of Honor in 2005 and received the cash Research Incentive Award for the years 2009 and 2022–2025. Her dedication to excellence, ethical scholarship, and service to the academic community exemplify her role as an inspiring educator and an advocate for scientific and societal progress.

Education
2025  Post Doc in Algal Biotechnology, University Of Coimbra, Berlin Botanical Garden Portugal And Germany
2016  PhD in Botany, Government College University Lahore Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan
2007  MS/MPhil in Environmental Science (Ecology), Government College University Lahore Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan
2005  Masters in Botany(Gold Medalist), Government College University Lahore Pakistan Lahore, Pakistan
2002  BA/BSc(Hons) in Botany, Zoology And Chemistry, University Of Punjab Lahore, Pakistan
PG from the University of Copenhagen, Denmark

Teaching Areas

Diversity of Vascular Plants, Applied Plant Anatomy, Cell Biology and Phycology
Experience
From To Designation Firm/Institution
Oct 2025 Continue Chairperson Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
Feb 2023 Jan 2025 Chairperson/Associate Professor Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
Aug 2019 Continue Associate Professor Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
Feb 2017 Aug 2019 Assistant Professor Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
Jul 2007 Feb 2017 Lecturer Government College University, Lahore Pakistan
Jul 2005 Jul 2007 Research Assistant Government College University, Lahore Pakistan

Journal Papers

Hazzazi, Y., Hanif, U., Zia, Z.B., Muhammed, J.J., Shaban, N. and Shabasy, A.E.S., (2025). "Comparative anatomy of Salvadora oleoides Decne. and Salvadora persica L. from Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan." Bangladesh Journal of Botany,, 54 (1), 83-90..
MUSTAFA, A., HANIF, U., SARDAR, A.A., RASOOL, M.F., ISHFAQ, M., ALI, S., AZIZ, R. and ZAFAR, N., (2025). "Ethnobotanical Studies on Herbs and Shrubs of Tehsil Taunsa Sharif, District Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.." Ravian Journal of Plant Sciences, 2 (1), 51-70.
ADEEL MUSTAFA1, UZMA HANIF1, ANDLEEB ANWAR SARDAR1, HASAN RAZA KHAN1,MUHAMMAD ISHFAQ2, MUHAMMAD FAZAL RASOOL1, KHUZEMA ZAHRA1, NARMEENZAFER (2025). "ETHNOMEDICINAL PLANTS USES FOR THE TREATMENT OF DIFFERENTAILMENTS BY LOCAL PEOPLE OF DISTRICT BHAKKAR, PUNJAB, PAKISTAN." Journal Plantarum, 7(1) (1), 133-148.
MuzAbbas M, U. Hanif, A. Nasir, F. Zahid, I. Liaqat, S. Ali, D. Bhanot, F. S Ataya, A.Anwar, S.Khan (2025). "Green Synthesis and Application of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) Nanoparticles from Cenchrus setigerus Vahl in Herbal Handwash as Antimicrobial Reducer." ChemistrySelect, 10 (2), e202404733.
Hazzazi, Y., Sumayli, M., El-Shabasy, A., Al-Andal, A., Hanif, U., Khamis, A., Abada, E., Elgogary, S.R., El-Bassossy, T.A. and Abdelgawad, A.A., (2025). "Morphological and chemotaxonomical characterization of some species of the genus Euphorbia L. in Jazan." PloS one,, , .
Ali, S., Hanif, U., Raza, A., Ali, B., Khan, M.N., Wahab, S., Khan, M., Khan, M.N. and Ullah, R., (2024). "Authentication of Ethnoveterinary Important Grasses Through Microscopic Techniques: Insights Into the Anatomical and Phytochemical Analysis of Grasses. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 33(3).." Polish Journal of Environmental Studies,, 33 (3), .
Irshad, M., Hanif, U., Sardar, A.A., Aziz, R. and Mustafa, A., (2024). "Biosynthesis and Optimization of Green Silver Nanoparticles from a Red Alga Halymenia Porphyraeformis Collected from the Coastal Areas of Karachi, Pakistan." Ravian Journal of Plant Sciences,, 1 (2), 1-8.
HAZZAZI, Y., SUMAYLI, M., NWANKWO, B., HANIF, U. and EL-SHABASY, A., (2024). "HAZZAZI, YPhytochemical Assessment of Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. Fruit Pulp against Sickle Cell Disease by Differential Drying Methods.." Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences,, 86 (6), .
Raza, C., Mohsin, S., Faheem, M., Hanif, U., Alkhathlan, H.Z., Shaik, M.R., Riaz, H.A., Anjum, R., Jurrat, H. and Khan, M., (2024). "In vivo study of Moringa oleifera seed extracts as potential sources of neuroprotection against Rotenone-Induced neurotoxicity.." Plants,, 13 (11), 1479.
Raza, C., Mohsin, S., Faheem, M., Hanif, U., Alkhathlan, H.Z., Shaik, M.R., Riaz, H.A., Anjum, R., Jurrat, H. and Khan, M., (2024). "In vivo study of Moringa oleifera seed extracts as potential sources of neuroprotection against Rotenone-Induced neurotoxicity. Plants, 13(11), p.1479.." Plants, 13 (11), 1479.
Rabail Naz, Mohammed A. Alfattah, Mohsen A. Khormi, Emad Abada, Uzma Hanif, Chand Raza, Iram Liaqat, M. Remesh, A. El-Shabasy. (2024). "Neuropharmacological Potential of a Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) L.." Int. J. Pharmacol. 2024,, 20 (2), 241-256.
Jan, H. A., Mir, T. A., Bussmann, R. W., Jan, M., Hanif, U., & Wali, S. (2023). "Cross-cultural ethnomedicinal study of the wild species of the genus Berberis used by the ethnic communities living along both sides of the Indo-Pak border in Kashmir.." Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 26,, 26 , 1-14.

Projects

Title Role Funded by Amount Year Status
Extraction of terpenoids and flavonoids from Seaweeds Team Member European Union for science education (Aquatic environment) 5000000.00 2025 Ongoing

Awards/Achievements

Postdoc Scholarship (2025), MARE, University of Coimbra, Portugal. Completed in Portugal and Germany for the cosmeceutical applications of Seaweeds
Research Incentive Award (2024), ORIC, Government College University Lahore Pakistan. • Awarded research incentive of rupees 40000 from office of the Research innovation and Commercialization GC University Lahore
Research Incentive Award (2023), ORIC, Government College University Lahore Pakistan. • Awarded research incentive of rupees 105000 from the Office of the Research Innovation and Commercialization GC University Lahore
Research Incentive Award (2022), ORIC, Government College University Lahore Pakistan. • Awarded research incentive of rupees 15000 from office of the Research innovation and Commercialization GC University Lahore (2022)
Research Incentive Award (2018), ORIC, Government College University Lahore Pakistan. • Awarded research incentive of rupees 15000 from Office of the Research Innovation and Commercialization, GC University Lahore (2018)
Research Incentive Award (2016), ORIC, Government College University Lahore Pakistan. • Awarded research incentive of rupees 15000 from office of the Research innovation and Commercialization GC University Lahore (2016)
Fellowship Award by Denish Government (2014), Denmark Government. Fellowship Award by the Denmark Government, availed for one year, and received PGD
Best Teacher Award from CM Shehbaz Sharif (2010), Government of Punjab. • Awarded with cash prize as best teacher in F.Sc. Teaching (2010)
Merit Scholarship for Ist Position (2007), Government College University Lahore Pakistan. Received Scholarship for MPhil in Environmental sciences
Abdul Haq Abbass Gold Medal (2005), Government College University Lahore. MSc First Position in Botany
Academic Roll of Honor (2005), Government College University Lahore Pakistan. Distinction in Botany