Dr. ABDUL RAZAQ

BS Botany (PU), MS. Botany (PU), Ph.D. Botany (PU, UC-Berkeley)
Associate Professor
Email: ectomycorrhiza@gmail.com

Biography

Dr. Abdul Razaq has completed his PhD (2007-2013) entitled “Molecular characterization and identification of gilled fungi from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan using internal transcribed spacers (ITS) of rDNA”  from department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore Pakistan. Since December, 2013, He is working as Assistant Professor (TTS) in Discipline of Botany, Faculty of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Ravi campus, Pattoki, Pakistan.
He started his academic career from a school of Jaranwala, Faisalabad. After completing matric, moved to Lahore and rest of the education completed here. BSc (Hons.) and MS leading to PhD have been competed from department of Botany University of the Punjab, Lahore. In Bsc (Hons.), he got second position and awarded fellowship of HEC for whole duration of PhD degree. During his PhD, he has identified 85 different species mushrooms from Himalayan moist temperate regions using morphological and molecular details. Nearly, 45% species are endemic to our land while the rest are new records. In the dissertation, the phylogenetic relationships of Pakistani species with rest of the world are also determined. He has published 24 research articles in international/impact journals/ conferences with total impact factor 13.02 and 4 are under review by ISI journals.
Apart from PhD thesis, he has sequenced 100 more mushroom species using, ITS and LSU regions of rDNA in Bruns Lab, University of California, USA. He has worked in Bruns lab, Plant and Microbial Biology Department, University of California, Berkeley, USA for six months (12.09.2012-12.03.2013) and learnt modern molecular techniques and analyses. He also have attended two workshops in USA to learn “R” and “how to get publish in international journals” and presented my work in two international conferences. He has deposited 201 local fungal sequences in international database that is largest number from Asia after China. In near future, He has plan to develop sequence database from all these indigenous species.

Areas of Interest

  • Molecular identification and systematics of gilled fungi
  • Exploration and conservation of biodiversity of natural and planted forests
  • Investigation of evolutionary relationships  and the level of endemism of mycoflora
  • Framing of ecological amplitude for different genetic populations of higher fungi and study of co-ordinational behavior of diverse groups to share a common ecological niche

Publications


 

  1. Hussain, A., Iqbal, M. A, Javid, R., RAZAQ, A., Aslam, A., Hasan, A., Akmal, M. & Qazi. J. I. 2019. Application of Fruit Wastes as Cost-Effective Carbon Sources for Biological Sulphate Reduction. Iran J Sci Technol Trans Sci (2019) 43:33–41.
  2. A. Razaq, S. Ilyas and A. N. Khalid. 2018. Molecular identification of noteworthy lignicolous fungus, Neolentinus lepedius (fr.) Redhead & ginns: a new genus for Pakistan using phenotypical and phylogenetic approaches. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 50(6): 2385-2388.
  3. Liu L.-N., Razaq A., Atri N.S., Bau T., Belbahri L., Chenari Bouket A., Chen L.-P., Deng C., Ilyas S., Khalid A.N., Kitaura M.J., Kobayashi T., Li Y., Lorenz A.P., Ma Y.-H., Malysheva E., Malysheva V., Nuytinck J., Qiao M., Saini M.K., Scur M.C., Sharma S., Shu L.-L., Spirin V., Tanaka Y., Tojo M., Uzuhashi S., Valério-Júnior C., Verbeken A., Verma B., Wu R.-H., Xu J.-P., Yu Z.-F., Zeng H., Zhang B., Banerjee A., Beddiar A., Bordallo J.J., Dafri A., Dima B., Krisai-Greilhuber I., Lorenzini M., Mandal R., Morte A., Nath P.S., Papp V., Pavlík J., Rodríguez A., Ševcˇíková H., Urban A., Voglmayr H. & Zapparoli G. (2018) Fungal Systematics and Evolu¬tion: FUSE 4. – Sydowia 70: 211–286.
  4. Jabeen, S., A. Razaq, A. R. K.  Niazi, I. Ahmad, T. Grebenc and A. N. Khalid. 2017. Russula ahmadii (Basidiomycota, Russulales), a new species in section Ingratae and its ectomycorrhiza from coniferous forests of Pakistan. Phytotaxa., 321 (3): 241–253.
  5. Razaq, A., S. Ilyas and A.N. Khalid, 2017. Phylogeny and taxonomy of Hebeloma theobrominum and H. mesophaeum from western Himalaya. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 19: 584‒588
  6. Razaq A, Nawaz R and Khalid AN. 2016. An Asian edible mushroom, Macrocybe gigantea: its distribution and ITS-rDNA based phylogeny. Mycosphere.7(4) 525-530.
  7. RAZAQ, A., AN. KHALID & S., ILYAS. 2016. Molecular identification of Chinese Chroogomphus roseolus from Pakistani forests, a mycorrhizal fungus, using ITS-rDNA marker. Pak. J. Agric. 53(2)393-398.
  8. QASIM, T., KHALID, A. N.  VELLINGA, E & RAZAQ, A. 2015. Lepiota albogranulosa sp. nov. (Agaricales, Agaricaceae) from Lahore, Pakistan. Mycological Progress, 14:28 (doi.org/10.1007/s11557-015-1037-z).
  9. RAZAQ, A., AN. KHALID. AR. NIAZI & S., ILYAS. 2014. Russula foetenoides sp. nov.  (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)—a new species from Pakistan. Sydowia, 66(2): 289-298. (Impact factor= 0.21).
  10. RAZAQ, A., S., ILYAS & AN. KHALID. 2014. Taxonomic and phylogenetic affinities of Hygrophorus chrysodon from western Himalayan forests.  Austrian Journal of Mycology (Österr. Z. Pilzk.), 23: 19-29.
  11. RAZAQ, A., A.N. Khalid and S. ILYAS. 2014. Molecular identification of Coprinus comatus-an edible mushroom (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) commonly found in Khanspur forest, Pakistan. Research journal of Agricultural Sciences, 5(3): 390-394. (Best Paper of the Issue)
  12. RAZAQ, A. 2013. Molecular characterization and identification of gilled fungi from Himalayan moist temperate forest of Pakistan using internal transcribed spacers of rDNA. PhD thesis. Department of Botany, University of the Punjab, Lahore.
  13. RAZAQ, A., A.N. Khalid and S. ILYAS, 2013. Molecular identification of Marasmius oreades - an edible mushroom from Pakistan based on ITSrDNA data. Pak. J. Agric. Sci. (50)3:415-419. (Impact factor=1.24)
  14. RAZAQ, A., A.N. Khalid and S. ILYAS. 2013. Molecular identification of Lepiota acutesquamosa and L. cristata (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) based on ITS-rDNA barcoding from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 15: 313‒318. (Impact factor= 0.92)
  15. RAZAQ, A., S. ILYAS & A. N. KHALID. 2013. Molecular and Phenotypic Descriptions of Cystodermella cinnabarina from Western Himalaya: A New Genus for Pakistan
  16. 4. Journal of Mycology, vol. 2013, page 5, ID 793124. doi:10.1155/2013/793124.
  17. Nawaz, R., A. N. KHALID, Hanif, M., & A. RAZAQ. 2013. Lepiota vellingana sp. nov. (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) a new species from Lahore, Pakistan. Mycological Progress. 12:727–732. (Impact factor=1.54)
  18. ILYAS, S., A. RAZAQ & A.N. KHALID. 2013 Molecular investigations to determine the ectomycorrhizal habit of Lactarius sanguifluus associated with coniferous and deciduous vegetation of Galyat (KPK), Pakistan. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 15: 857‒863. (If= 0.92)
  19. ILYAS, S., A. RAZAQ & A.N. KHALID. 2013. Inocybe nitidiuscula and its ectomycorrhiza associated with Alnus nitida from Galyat, Pakistan. Mycotaxon, 124:247-254. (Impact factor= 0.643)
  20. RAZAQ, A., A.N. Khalid and S. ILYAS, 2012. Tricholomopsis flammula Métrod ex Holec (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)-an addition to the mushroom flora of Pakistan based on molecular identification. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 44 (SI): 413-416. (Impact factor= 1.2)
  21. RAZAQ, A., A.N. Khalid and S. ILYAS, 2012. Molecular identification of Lyophyllum connatum and Paneolus sphinctrinus (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) from Himalyan moist temperate forests of Pakistan. Int. J. Agric. Biol., 14: 1001‒1004. (Impact factor= 0.92)
  22. RAZAQ, A., A.N. KHALID & E.C. VELLINGA. 2012. Lepiota himalayensis sp. nov. (Basidiomycota, Agaricales), a new species from Pakistan. Mycotaxon, 121: 319‒325. (Impact factor= 0.643)
  23. RAZAQ, A., E.C. Vellinga, S. ILYAS and A.N. Khalid. 2013. Lepiota brunneoincarnata and L. subincarnata: phylogeny and distribution. Mycotaxon, 126: 133‒141. (Impact factor= 0.643)

Papers submitted/Under review:

  1. NIAZI A. R., KHALID A. N., RAZAQ A. & AFSHAN N. S. 2014. Amanita flavoconioides sp. nov. and its ectomycorrhizae with blue pine from Pakistan. Int. J. Agric. Biol., (Submitted)
  1. Razaq, A., Ilyas, S. & Khalid, A. N. 2018. “Molecular phylogenetic analysis of saprophytic macrofungi, lepiotaceous agarics from Galyat forests of Pakistan”. Abstract Book, Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore. Abstract ID: 248-Or-ICPS2018.
  2. Razaq, A., Ilyas, S. & Khalid, A. N. 2018. Some wild edible mushrooms of Pakistan: identification based on ITS-rDNA marker”. Abstract Book, Department of Botany, GC University, Lahore. Abstract ID: 249-Or-ICPS2018
  3. ILYAS, S., A. N. KHALID, A. R. NIAZI & A. RAZAQ. 2011. Ectomycorrhizal diversity of Juglans regia from Himalayan moist temperate forests of Pakistan. P-74 (abstract). Pak. J. Bot.,
  4. ILYAS, S., A. RAZAQ, A. N. KHALID, BRANCO, S. T. D. BRUNS. 2013. Hyperdiverse ectomycorrhizal fungal communities associated with broadleaf trees (Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Salicaceae) in Himalayan temperate forests of Galyat, Pakistan. S9-11 (abstract). Asian Mycology. Congress., 19-23.08.2013, China.
  5. ILYAS, S., A. RAZAQ & A.N. KHALID. 2014. Diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungal communities associated with Alnus nitida (betulaceae) in Himalayan forests of Galyat, Pakistan. 4th International conference of plant scientists and 13th National conference of Botany, Pakistan Botanical Society at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan on August, 27-30, 2014.
  6. RAZAQ, A., S., ILYAS & AN. KHALID. 2014. Phylogenetic lineages of Pakistani Lepiota (Agaricaceae) — Derived from nr ITS-rDNA Sequences. International conference of plant sciences, Government College University, Lahore, September, 22-24.
  7. Kobayashi, T., Y., TERASHIMA1 & A. RAZAQ. 2014. “Inocybe- an ectomycorrhizal genus: its distribution and biodiversity across Japan and Pakistan”. International Conference of Environment and sustainability, 19 to 17 December, 2014, GC University, Lahore.

 

 

Oral presentations:

  • 2011 — “Tricholomopsis flammula Métrod ex Holec (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) — an addition to the mushroom flora of Pakistan based on molecular identification”. 2nd International conference of Plant Scientists and 11th national meeting of plant Scientists, Government College University, Lahore.
  •  2013 — “Hyperdiverse ectomycorrhizal fungal communities associated with broadleaf trees (Betulaceae, Fagaceae and Salicaceae) in Himalayan temperate forests of Galyat, Pakistan”. Asian Mycological. Congress, China National Convention Centre, Beijing, China.
  • 2014 — “Molecular systematics and evolutionary relationships of some inland gilled basidiomycetes from Himalayan moist temperate forests using its-rDNA marker” 4th International conference of plant scientists and 13th National conference of Botany, Pakistan Botanical Society at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Sheringal, Dir Upper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan on August, 27-30, 2014.
  • 2014 — “Phylogenetic lineages of Pakistani Lepiota (Agaricaceae) — Derived from nr ITS-rDNA Sequences” International Conference of Plant Sciences, 22 to 24 September, 2014, GC University, Lahore.
  • 2014 — “Inocybe- an ectomycorrhizal genus: its distribution and biodiversity across Japan and Pakistan”. International Conference of Environment and sustainability, 19 to 17 December, 2014, GC University, Lahore.

Poster Presentation:

  • 2011 — “Ectomycorrhizal Diversity of Juglans Regia from Himalayan Moist Temperate Forest Of Pakistan”. 2nd International Conference of Plant Scientists and 11th national meeting of plant Scientists, Government College University Lahore.

Conference/Seminar/Workshop Participated/Attended Internationally:

  • 2013 — R-workshop, Department of Integrative Biology, 4184 Valley Life Sciences Building, University of California, Berkeley, USA. Instructor: MARY E. POWER.   
  • 2013 — How to Get Published in International Journals, Stanely Hall Building, University of California, Berkeley, USA. Instructor: NATALIE REID.

Conference/Seminar/Workshop Participated Nationally:

  • “One day workshop/ hand on training on advanced molecular techniques used in Fisheries and wildlife research” Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 1/11/2016.
  • “Laboratory Biosafety, one-day hands on training” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 03/11/2016.
  •  “Two-days hand on training on Wildlife Photography” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 24-25/11/2016.
  • Participated in a 2-day “INTERNATIONAL conference” on Conventional and molecular approaches in Plant Sciences, organized by the department of Botany, University of the Punjab Lahore, Pakistan. (Ravi Campus) held on November 28−29, 2017.
  • Participated in a 2-day conference on “RECENT TRENDS IN FOOD PROCESSING AND TECHNOLOGY” organized by Department of Dairy Technology,  University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (Ravi Campus) held on November 15−16, 2017.
  • Participated in 1st international conference on biotechnology challenges and opportunities in Pakistan organized by Lahore Garrison University Lahore held on October 11-12, 2017.
  • Participated as secretary of organizing committee in a 1-day training on “TAXIDERMY” organized by Department of Wildlife & Ecology, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (Ravi Campus) held on December 28, 2017.
  • Participated in a 1-day seminar on “WORLD FISHERIES DAY” organized by Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (Ravi Campus) in collaboration with HEC-BC KEP Project and ASA FEEDING Pakistan held on November 24, 2017.
  • Participated in hands on training on “Biochemical and molecular techniques in plant breeding” organized by Nuclear Institute of Agriculture and Biology, Faisalabad held on October 17-27, 2017.
  • Participated in one day workshop/ hand on training on “Recycling of Domestic waste into Organic fertilizers using Compost Bins” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 23/11/2018.
  • Participated in one-day hands on training on “Honeybee Keeping and Management” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 20/10/2018.
  • Participated in one day workshop/ hand on training on “Species Conservation and Monitoring for Ecosystem Health” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 20/04/2018.
  • Participated in one day seminar on “World Fish day” Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, UVAS, Ravi campus, dated 21/11/2018.
  • Participated in one day workshop/ hand on training on “Taxidermy Techniques” Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi Campus, dated 13/02/2018.
  • Participated in one day seminar on “Recent Advances in Zoological Sciences, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, UVAS, Ravi campus, dated 10/05/2018
  • Participated in one day seminar on “Growth and breeding potential of genetically male Tilapia (GMT) in Pakistan” Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, UVAS, Ravi campus, dated 16/08/2018.

Symposium, Conference, Workshop & trainings Organization:

  • Organized workshop on “Cultivation of Mushrooms” in Discipline of Botany, FF&W, Ravi Campus As chief Organizer, December 28, 2018.
  • Participated as secretary of Souvenir committee in a 2-day 6th international fisheries symposium & expo-2017 on “INNOVATIVE AND SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE FOR BLUE REVOLUTION” jointly organized by Department of Fisheries & Aquaculture, University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (Ravi Campus) and Pakistan Fisheries Society held on February 08−09, 2017.   

Projects

  1. Principle investigator of Higher Education Commission (HEC, Pakistan) under NRPU program, 7064/Punjab/NRPU/R&D/HEC/2017 worth 2.203 million PKR
  2. Title: Molecular identification of mushroom flora of northern Pakistan and establishment of first DNA based fungal herbarium
  3. Principle investigator of Higher Education Commission (HEC, Pakistan) under HEC Indigenous Scholarship program for PhD degree worth 1.4 million PKR
  4. Title: Molecular characterization and identification of gilled fungi from Himalayan moist temperate forest of Pakistan using internal transcribed spacers of rDNA
  5. Principle investigator of Higher Education Commission (HEC, Pakistan) under HEC International Research Support Initiative program (IRSIP) worth 13550 USD
  6. Title: Advanced Molecular techniques and data analysis of Pakistani mycoflora

Achievements and awards

  • Excellent teacher award (2014), GC University, Lahore.
  • HEC Approved supervisor (2014)
  • Distinction (2nd position) in BS (2003-2007)
  • 2007-2012: Indigenous Ph.D. Fellowship Program (5000 Fellowships) of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC-PIN: 2233-BM4-095).                                                                                 
  • 2012-2013: International Research Support Initiative Program (IRSIP) fellowship of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan for six months for training in USA (HEC-PIN: Agri20, 01).
  • 2003-2007: Merit scholarship of University of the Punjab, Lahore.
  •  Got 1st position in SSC Examination (2003)