January 8, 2026--- Mr. Atif Shahzad, Ph.D. Scholar at the Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology (CEMB), University of the Punjab, has successfully defended his Ph.D. thesis entitled “Multiple Transgenic Strategies to Control Ustilago maydis in Maize.”

He carried out his doctoral research under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Idrees Ahmad Nasir and Dr. Abdul Munim Farooq, focusing on advanced genetic approaches to enhance resistance against Ustilago maydis, a major fungal pathogen affecting maize.

The Ph.D. thesis was evaluated by eminent external examiners, Prof. Dr. Hamid Mukhtar, Professor and former Director, Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Government College University (GCU), Lahore, and Dr. Asma Maqbool, Professor of Biotechnology, Forman Christian College University.
CEMB congratulates Mr. Atif Shahzad on this academic achievement.