Islamabad(PR): Dr. Yusuf Zafar has joined as new Chairman of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC). Dr. Yusuf Zafar is a prominent international Pakistani scientist having over 35 years experience in Agri-biotechnology research in Pakistan.
Prior joining to PARC he was serving in International Automic Energy Agency (IAEA) Vienna Austria. He has also served as Minister (Technical) Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the IAEA Vienna from 2012-2014.
In Pakistan he served on top positions in various organizations which include as Director General (Agri & Biotechnology Division) Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Project Director of National Institute for Genomics and Advanced Biotechnology (NIGAB) PARC Islamabad, Director of National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIDBE) Faisalabad as well as visiting Professor of NIBGE & NIGAB.
Dr. Yusuf Zafar having Ph.D. in Bio Science from Quaid-e-Azam University Islamabad / Hanover University Germany, M. Phil in Bio Chemistry and Molecular Biology. He obtained Nuclear and Advanced Technique Course from NIAB Faisalabad, Post doctoral study in CSU, USA. He also remained UNESCO Biotech Fellow in CNR, Perugia Italy, Rockefeller Fellow in Rice Biotech at Purdue University USA, FAO / IAEA fellow at LSU Baton Rouge USA and USDA Cocharan Fellow USA
He was honoured with Best Scientist of the Year 2012 by ICAC Washington DC USA, Medal of Distinction (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz) by Government of Pakistan on 23 March 2004, Best Scientist by Pakistan Automic Energy Commission on 28 May 2000, won all Research Productivity Awards announced so far by Ministry of Science and Technology. He was also appointed as Governor from Pakistan to International Center of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) Trieste, Italy and member Inter-Agency task Force on Biosafety and Biosecurity by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan.
He attended over 46 international conferences, symposia and courses. He has over 200 research publications in scientific papers of national and international journals including books. He supervised 10 Ph.Ds, 44 M. Phil and 21 M.Sc.
He also developed three varieties of cotton in NIGBE and first time obtained registration in USA, one cotton variety NIBGE-2 was released for commercial cultivation, four GM Cotton (Bt) varieties developed in NIGBE and released for commercial cultivation and 28 cases of GM plants submitted to NBC, EPA for approval.
