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Contact information

Email: sazeem@uvas.edu.pk
Phone: +99211373
curriculum vitae
Dr. Shahan Azeem

Assistant Professor

Biography

Dr. Shahan Azeem is an Assistant Professor at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Lahore, Pakistan. He won Fulbright/HEC/USAID Scholarship in 2011 for a Ph.D. He has earned a Ph.D. in Veterinary Microbiology from the Iowa State University (ISU), Ames, Iowa, USA. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Education from the Royal Veterinary College, University of London, United Kingdom. He received his DVM and a master’s in Veterinary Microbiology from the College of Veterinary Sciences, Lahore in 1998 and 2002, respectively.  He has a keen interest in animal influenza viruses and he has been involved in research projects relating to these viruses of various animal species. His Ph.D. dissertation focused on characterization and surveillance tools for avian influenza viruses in migratory wild birds and poultry. While conducting his dissertation research, Shahan has also been involved in diagnostic investigations of other viral and bacterial diseases. He has published 31 research papers in refereed journals and 20 abstracts in international and national conferences. He has presented his research at 12 international conferences. He is a reviewer for 6 international and one national journal. He was given Graduate Student Travel Award by the conference organizers to present at the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Providence, Rhode Island, in 2015 and again at North Central Avian Disease Conference, St. Paul, Minnesota, in 2017. He has attended 31 professional international and national trainings. He has mentored 9 graduate students as Major Supervisor. His vision for the future includes becoming a scientist with a deep understanding of and concern for the needs and problems of the poultry and livestock farming community. Personally, Shahan has a 10-year-old son and enjoys reading and outdoor activities for leisure.

Area of Interest

  • Animal influenza viruses
  • Emerging viruses
  • Respiratory diseases
  • Public Health Microbiology
  • Wildlife diseases

Publications

Trainings, Workshops, and Courses (Attended)

  1. PGCOC-10 (Tenth Six Month Postgraduate Computer Orientation Course), Computer Training Center, Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. 2003.
  2. Use of Bach Flower Remedies for Psychosomatic Disorders, First Ever Workshop on Bach Flower Remedies organized by The International Human Rights Commission and BM Homoepathic Pharmacy held at B. M. Homoeo and Alternative Medical Complex, Ghari Shahu, Lahore, Pakistan 19th Feb. 2003.
  3. Workshop on Identification of Problems in the Livestock Sector in Punjab for Future Research and Development, Holiday Inn, Lahore. 21st June 2004.
  4. Sixth HRDC National Faculty Development Program at Human Resources Development Centre, University of Punjab. 6th-10th September 2004.
  5. Workshop on Digital Library Resources by Ms. Urooj Fatima and Ms. Amina Said, Regional Coordinators-Digital Library Program of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan held at University Auditorium, UVAS, Lahore. 17th Sept. 2005.
  6. Workshop on “Current Concepts in Canine Theriogenology” (Concluding Session) by Dr. Mustaq A Memon, Washington State University, Pullman USA held at Seminar Room, UVAS, Lahore. 28th Jan. 2006.
  7. “Self-Assessment Guidelines for University’s Academic Programs” A Two Days Workshop on Self-Assessment Procedures for the University Program organized by Higher Education Commission held at Holiday Inn, Lahore. 10-11 May 2006.
  8. “Entrepreneurship: An Emerging Discipline—A Capacity-Building Workshop for Higher Education Faculty” organized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan held at HEC Regional Centre, Gulberg Lahore. 18-19th December 2006.
  9. Two Days Orientation Workshop on “Enhancing the Quality of Higher Education through Self-Assessment” organized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan held at HEC Conference Room, H-8, Islamabad. 22nd – 23rd January 2007.
  10. Haggai Institute’s Advanced Leadership Seminar held at Haggai Institute for Advanced Leadership Training, Singapore. 25PthP Feb. 2007 to 23PrdP Mar. 2007
  11. Use and Application of TURNITIN-An Anti-plagiarism Tutorial, Video Conference Hall, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore September 3, 2009.
  12. “Molecular Techniques (PCR/RT-PCR) for Diagnosis of Animal Microbial Diseases” organized by the Department of Microbiology held at the Quality Operations Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Nov., 23-26, 2009.
  13. Indirect Sandwich Enzyme Linked Immunosorbant Assay, organized by the Department of Microbiology held at the Quality Operations Laboratory, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore Nov., 23-26, 2009.
  14. “Professional Competency Enhancement Program for Teachers (PCEPT)” organized by Center for Educational Policy and Administration, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore. August 23-27 and Sept. 28- Oct. 1, 2010.
  15. Immunology and Principles of Vaccination, Veterinary Biologics Training Program jointly organized by Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics and Center for Veterinary Biologics, United States Department of Agriculture held at College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. May 8-11, 2012.
  16. Procedures for Ensuring Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Vaccination, Veterinary Biologics Training Program jointly organized by Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics and Center for Veterinary Biologics, United States Department of Agriculture held at College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA. May 14-18, 2012.
  17. Laboratory Testing Related to Biologics Evaluation, Veterinary Biologics Training Program jointly organized by Institute for International Cooperation in Animal Biologics and Center for Veterinary Biologics, United States Department of Agriculture held at National Centers for Animal Health, USDA, Ames, Iowa, USA. May 21-23, 2012.
  18. Emerging and Exotic Diseases of Livestock (a web-based course approved for 18 hours of continuing education through the Registry of Approved Continuing Education of the American Association of State Boards) moderated by Dr. Jesse Hostetter, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State Univ. Ames, Iowa, USA. July 13-August 22, 2015.
  19. Public Health Laboratory Training for Punjab organized by Punjab Healthcare Commission at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore. Jan. 30, 2018.
  20. Mapping of DVM Curriculum for OIE Compliance and Integrated Learning Interventions organized by In-Service Training of Advance Veterinary Education and Professional Development, UVAS, Lahore. May 7-11, 2018.
  21. National Joint Risk Assessment Pilot Workshop for the Control of Zoonotic Diseases organized by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) held at Ramada Hotel, Islamabad, April, 15-18, 2019.
  22. Consultative Workshop of National Joint Risk Assessment (JRA) Team for Development of JRA Report for Rabies Using Tripartite JRA Operational Tool" organized by World Health Organization in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) held at Ramada Hotel, Islamabad, August, 6-8, 2019.
  23. How to peer review a review article by Elsevier Researcher Academy completed online on April 03, 2020.
  24. Biorisk Management for DVM Degree Program Teachers organized by Institute of Microbiology in collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories, USA September, 2-4. 2020.
  25. Five Days Biorisk Management Training Anthrax Lab, Institute of Microbiology in collaboration with Health Security Partners, USA held at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore and online. June 28- July 02, 2021.
  26. Advanced Biorisk Management (BRM) / Trainer Development Workshop organized online by Sandia National Laboratories, USA July 13-15, 2021.
  27. One Day Workshop on Intellectual Property Rights in Academia organized by Office of Research, Innovation, and Commercialization, UVAS held at the Veterinary Academy, UVAS, Lahore. August 26, 2021.
  28. Biorisk Management One-Day Refresher Course, Institute of Microbiology in collaboration with Health Security Partners, USA held at University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Lahore and online. May 10, 2022.
  29. Project Formulation Workshop organized by the Pakistan Science Foundation, Islamabad held at the Forman Christian College University, Lahore. May 24-25, 2023.
  30. Cyberbiosecurity Training Workshop organized by Government College University, Faisalabad and Health Security Partners, USA in collaboration with Institute of Microbiology, UVAS held at Munir Iqbal Room at Quality Operations Laboratory, UVAS, Lahore. October 25-26, 2023.
  31. Detection Techniques for Mycotoxins and toxigenic fungi in food and feed, organized by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in collaboration with Institute of Microbiology, UVAS held at Munir Iqbal Room at Quality Operations Laboratory, UVAS, Lahore. December 06-07, 2023.

Professional Memberships

  • Member, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, April, 2021 to present.
  • Affiliate Member, Microbiology Society, London, United Kingdom, January, 2021 to present.
  • Member, Sydney South East Asia Society, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia, July 2020 to present.
  • Member, International Veterinary Vaccinology Network, UK, June 2019 to present.
  • Member, One Health Network South Asia, One Health Project, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand, April 2018 to present.
  • Associate Member, Wildlife Health Australia, NSW, Australia, July 2016 to present.
  • Wildlife Partner, The Wildlife Society, Bethesda, MD, USA, April 2016 to present.
  • EpiCore Certified Member, EpiCore: Global Surveillance Project, April 2016 to present.
  • Supporter, Ducks Unlimited, Inc., USA, February 2016 to present.
  • Student Member, Poultry Science Association, Champaign, IL, USA. 2015 to present.
  • Member, World's Poultry Science Association-USA Branch, 2015 to present.
  • Individual Supporter, One Health Initiative, USA since March 2014 to present.
  • Member, American Society for Microbiology, USA, July 2008 to present.
  • Member, International Society for Infectious Diseases, USA, January 2012 to present.
  • Life Member, Alumni Association, Univ. Vet. & Animal Sci., Lahore, Pakistan, 2002 to present.

Graduate Students Mentored

Completed Graduation Year
Aiman Shahzadi, DVM M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology 2020
Chief Medical Coordinator and Lecturer, The Physio College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Old Shuja Abad Road, Multan, Pakistan.
Iffat Huma, DVM M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology 2021
Senior Research Officer, Veterinary Research Institute, Ghazi Road, Lahore, Pakistan.

 
Amoon Daniel, BS (Hons.) Microbiology M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology 2021
Laboratory Technologist, Chugtai Lab Medical Center 7-Jail Road, Gulberg, Lahore, Pakistan.
Danyal Hassan, DVM M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology 2021
Muhammad Sohail Dilawer, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Veterinary Surgery 2011
Private Practitioner in Toronto, Canada
Adeel Shahbaz, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Veterinary Surgery 2011
Current position: Veterinary Officer, Provincial Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Cooper Road, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Talha Sajjad, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Veterinary Surgery 2011
Current position: Veterinary Officer, Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), UVAS, Lahore, Pakistan.
Siasta Gul Bokhari, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Veterinary Surgery 2010
Current position: Veterinary Officer, Civil Veterinary Hospital, Ali Raza Abad, Lahore, Pakistan.
Asim Riaz, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Veterinary Surgery 2010
Entrepreneur, Pakistan.
Currently under supervision
Muhammad Zeeshan Nizami, DVM M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology
Suqaina Tul Abiha, BS (Hons.) Applied  Microbiology M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology
Zian Asif, BS (Hons.) Applied  Microbiology M. Phil. Major Supervisor Microbiology
Memona Bibi, DVM M. Phil. Committee member Microbiology
Abid Ali, BS (Hons.) Agric. Food Tech. M. Phil. Committee member Food Science and Human Nutrition

Research highlighted in international media / press (selected)

  1. Previously unknown bacteria killed Zimbabwean elephants in 2020, 20 Nov 2023. URL: https://www.chronicle.co.zw/previously-unknown-bacteria-killed-zimbabwean-elephants-in-2020/ (accessed 20 Nov 2023).
  2. Bacteria to Blame for Elephant Deaths in Zimbabwe, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Nov 2023. URL: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/bacteria-to-blame-for-elephant-deaths-in-zimbabwe-180983249/ (accessed 20 Nov 2023).
  3. The mysterious deaths of dozens of Zimbabwe’s elephants has been solved, Science News, USA, 8 Nov 2023. URL: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/death-zimbabwe-elephants-bacterium (accessed 08 Nov 2023).
  4. UP academics part of research paper that attempts to identify the causes of elephant die-off in Botswana, University of Pretoria’s official website URL: https://www.up.ac.za/zoology-entomology/news/post_2913314-up-academics-part-of-research-paper-that-attempts-to-identify-the-causes-of-elephant-die-off-in-botswana (accessed 26 August 2021).
  5. Research looks at deaths of 350 elephants in Botswana, Cape Times, South Africa, 6 Aug 2020. URL: https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/cape-times/20200806/281543703268167 (accessed 26 August 2021).
  6. Elephants are dying in droves in Botswana. Scientists don’t know why, Science News, USA, 14 May 2021. URL: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/african-elephant-mass-death-botswana (accessed 26 August 2021).