OUR TEAM

Assistant Professor / Environmental Scientist, EU Center of Excellence for Climate Change with ICT, NUTECH Islamabad (2026–Present)

Contributing to interdisciplinary research and academic activities focused on climate change, sustainability, and ICT-driven environmental solutions. Actively involved in proposal development (e.g., CRADLE & PAKHealthHub CBHE projects), research design, and capacity-building initiatives. Supporting the integration of digital technologies for environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Research Team Member / Expert, International Project Proposals (2026–Present)

Engaged in the development of international research proposals related to climate change adaptation, environmental sustainability, and ICT applications. Contributing to technical frameworks, methodological design, and collaborative research planning with national and international partners.

Research Assistant, Government College University Faisalabad (2018–2019)

Worked on an HEC-funded research project focusing on soil biogeochemistry and sustainable agriculture. Conducted field sampling, laboratory analysis, and data interpretation. Contributed to technical reporting and supported undergraduate student researchers in experimental and analytical work.

Visiting Faculty, Department of Environmental Science, Government College University Faisalabad (2017–2018)

Delivered undergraduate courses in environmental science, including GIS applications, environmental monitoring, and data analysis. Developed teaching materials, assessments, and supported student learning through practical and theoretical instruction.

Visiting Faculty, Department of Education, Government College University Faisalabad (2017)

Facilitated lectures on educational methodologies and environmental awareness. Promoted interdisciplinary learning by integrating sustainability concepts into education and supporting student engagement.

Intern, Environment Protection Agency (EPA), Faisalabad (2016–2017)

Conducted environmental surveys and inspections related to air and water quality. Assisted in preparing technical reports and contributed to environmental monitoring and regulatory compliance activities.

Intern, WWF-Pakistan ECO Internship Program (2013)

Participated in environmental education and outreach initiatives. Supported biodiversity conservation campaigns and community awareness programs promoting sustainable environmental practices.

Academia

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (Funded under the HEC Indigenous PhD Fellowship Program.) Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan (Completed: December 2024)
Conducted advanced research on soil health, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stress management, with a focus on biochar and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for improving soil quality under drought and salinity conditions.

M.Sc. (Hons.) in Environmental Sciences
University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan (Completed: November 2016)
Specialized in environmental analysis and sustainable resource management, with research focused on soil and environmental systems.

BS (Hons.) in Environmental Sciences
Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan (Completed: July 2014)
Developed a strong foundation in environmental monitoring, biodiversity, and ecological systems.

I have authored and co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in high-impact international (Q1) journals, contributing to advancements in sustainable agriculture, soil biogeochemistry, and climate change mitigation.

Certifications and Trainings

Complete Project Management Cycle Training
Pakistan Planning and Management Institute (Government of Pakistan) – 2026

Faculty Professional Development Training
National Academy of Higher Education – 2025

Conference Speaker – NYCCC (2026)
Delivered expert insights on climate change, sustainability, and environmental innovation.

Workshops and Academic Engagements
Participated in multiple national and international trainings, seminars, and workshops focused on climate change, environmental sustainability, research methodologies, and higher education teaching practices.

Courses Taught & Academic Roles

I have been actively involved in teaching and academic coordination at undergraduate level, with a focus on research, environmental sciences, and interdisciplinary learning.

Research Methodology (Current)
Delivering comprehensive training on research design, scientific writing, data analysis, and interpretation. Emphasizing practical skills in developing research proposals, statistical analysis, and publication-quality work.

Introduction to Environmental Sciences
Covered fundamental concepts of ecosystems, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and global environmental challenges.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Applications
Focused on spatial data analysis, environmental mapping, and GIS-based decision-making tools for environmental monitoring.

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Included field and laboratory techniques for assessing air, water, and soil quality, along with data interpretation for environmental management.

Research Methods and Data Analysis
Introduced statistical tools such as ANOVA and PCA, supporting students in experimental design and scientific data analysis.

Academic & Coordination Roles

Coordinator – Hydroinformatics (Current)
Overseeing academic and coordination activities related to hydroinformatics, including integration of data-driven approaches, environmental modeling, and ICT tools in water resource management.

Coordinator – Fahm-ul-Quran (Current)
Managing and facilitating academic and co-curricular activities related to Fahm-ul-Quran, promoting understanding, engagement, and student development.

My academic approach combines research-driven teaching, practical skill development, and interdisciplinary integration, enabling students to connect scientific knowledge with real-world environmental and societal challenges.

As an Assistant Professor at the EU Center of Excellence for Climate Change with ICT at the National University of Technology (NUTECH), Islamabad, my research primarily focuses on the intersection of climate change, environmental sustainability, and ICT-driven solutions.

My current work emphasizes the development of data-driven and technology-enabled approaches for environmental monitoring, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. In parallel, my research expertise lies in soil biogeochemistry and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on improving soil health and crop productivity under stress conditions such as drought and salinity. I am particularly interested in nature-based solutions, including biochar and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), to enhance soil quality and reduce environmental impacts.

My work combines experimental, field-based, and computational approaches to tackle key challenges such as nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas mitigation, and ecosystem sustainability. I have contributed to high-impact Q1 publications and actively engage in interdisciplinary and international collaborations aimed at advancing climate-smart and sustainable environmental solutions.

Publications

Journal Articles

Kong Y, Tian Y, Liu K, Li X, Yang Y, Feng Y, Rehman M, Fahad S, Maqbool Z, Malik L, Deng G. Morphophysiological Reconfiguration and Antioxidant Networking Underpin Selenium-Mediated Drought Adaptation in Nicotiana tabacum. ACS Omega. 2025 Jun 5.

 https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acsomega.5c02028

Malik, L., Hussain, S., Muhammad, S., Mahmood, F., Hayssam, M. A., Mehreen, M., Sanaullah, M., Zubda, Z., & Shahzad, T. 2024. Co-applied biochar and drought tolerant PGPR induced more improvement in soil quality and wheat production than their individual applications under drought conditions, PeerJ.

https://peerj.com/articles/18171/

Malik, L., Sanaullah, M., Mahmood, F., Hussain, S., & Shahzad, T. (2024). Co-application of biochar and salt tolerant PGPR to improve soil quality and wheat production in a naturally saline soil. Rhizosphere, 100849.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2452219824000028

Malik, L., Sanaullah, M., Mahmood, F., Hussain, S., Siddique, M. H., Anwar, F., & Shahzad, T. (2022). Unlocking the potential of co-applied biochar and plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) for sustainable agriculture under stress conditions. Chemical and biological technologies in agriculture, 9(1), 1-29.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40538-022-00327-x

QURESHI, H., Anwar, T., Mohibullah, M., Younas, R., Habiba U., Malik, L., Hanif, A., & Iqbal, M. Paired plot experiments to Assess Impact of Invasive Species on Native Floral Diversity in Pakistan. Frontiers in Environmental Science.

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1037319/full

Conference Publications & Presentations

Malik, L., et al. (2026).
Integrated application of Bacillus thuringiensis and biochar for enhancing wheat productivity under salinity stress: A sustainable nature-based solution.
5th International Conference on Global Environmental Changes (Oral Presentation).

Malik, L., et al. (2023).
Ameliorative effect of co-applied biochar and PGPR on wheat growth and saline soil quality.
2nd International Conference on Climate Change and Environment (Poster Presentation).

Malik, L., et al. (2019).
Isolation and screening of drought-tolerant phosphate-solubilizing rhizobacteria.
International Conference on Environmental Toxicology and Health (Oral Presentation).

Malik, L., et al. (2014).
Treatment of reactive azo dye using Pseudomonas aeruginosa in bioreactors.
2nd National Conference on Advancement in Science & Research (Oral Presentation).

Projects & Funding Engagements

Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Projects – (2026–Present)
Actively contributing as a research team member and expert in Erasmus+ CBHE initiatives. My role involves developing research methodologies, technical frameworks, and capacity-building strategies focused on climate change adaptation, sustainability, and ICT integration. These projects aim to strengthen institutional capacity and promote international collaboration.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – Research & Proposal Development
Engaged in collaborative research planning and proposal development under Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, focusing on climate change, digital innovation, and interdisciplinary research. Contributing to consortium building, mobility planning, and advanced research design aligned with EU priorities.

Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) – Research Proposal Development
Involved in developing research proposals under Pakistan Science Foundation, targeting national priorities such as climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Focused on designing impactful, policy-relevant, and fundable research projects.

HEC-Funded Research Project – Soil & Environmental Sustainability (2018–2019)
Worked as a Research Assistant on a Higher Education Commission-funded project addressing nitrogen use efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions, and sustainable soil management. Contributed to experimental design, fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and reporting.