Assistant Professor, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi, India
Dr. Noushina Iqbal is an accomplished researcher with extensive experience in plant biology, currently serving as an Assistant Professor (Contractual) at Jamia Hamdard’s Department of Botany. Her research focuses on plant stress physiology, with notable contributions to understanding the role of phytohormones like jasmonic acid and ethylene in abiotic stress tolerance. She has held prestigious positions such as Post-Doctoral Fellow under SERB-NPDF and DS Kothari Fellowship, receiving several accolades, including the Young Scientist Award and being listed among the top 2% of scientists globally. Dr. Iqbal has published 70 research papers, 12 book chapters, and 5 books, amassing over 8,500 citations, an h-index of 39, and an i10-index of 62. Her work has earned her recognition for publishing in high-impact journals. With a strong teaching portfolio and a commitment to mentoring M.Sc. students, Dr. Iqbal’s contributions to plant science make her a strong candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Noushina Iqbal’s academic journey reflects her commitment to the field of botany. She began her education with an outstanding performance in high school, securing 80.6% in the ICSE Board in 1998, followed by 66.8% in the CBSE Board during her Intermediate studies in 2000. Dr. Iqbal pursued her Bachelor’s degree in Botany and Chemistry at DDU, Gorakhpur University, achieving an impressive 69.9% in 2004. She continued her academic pursuit with a Master’s degree in Botany from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), where she earned 73.4% in 2006, showcasing her expertise and dedication to the subject. Dr. Iqbal was awarded a Ph.D. in Botany from AMU in 2012, further solidifying her position as a scholar. Her strong academic foundation, combined with extensive research, has allowed her to make significant contributions to the scientific community, as evident in her multiple post-doctoral fellowships and high-impact research output.
Professional Experience
Dr. Noushina Iqbal is currently an Assistant Professor (Contractual) in the Department of Botany at Jamia Hamdard, where she actively contributes to both teaching and research. With a strong academic background and vast research experience, she has held prestigious post-doctoral fellowships, including the SERB-NPDF (2020–2021) and DS Kothari Fellowship (2013–2016). Her work has spanned multiple areas of plant stress physiology, notably focusing on antioxidative defense mechanisms and stress resilience in plants under various abiotic conditions. Dr. Iqbal has also served as a Research Assistant for a UPCST-funded project investigating the protective role of the ascorbate-glutathione system in mustard plants under cadmium stress. In addition to her research expertise, she has a proven record in academic mentorship, supervising and co-supervising M.Sc. students’ dissertations. With over 80 publications, five books, and numerous awards, Dr. Iqbal’s work has significantly contributed to advancing plant biology and biotechnology.
Research Interests
Dr. Noushina Iqbal’s research interests are centered on understanding plant responses to environmental stress, particularly the mechanisms that plants use to tolerate abiotic stressors such as drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity. Her work extensively explores the role of plant hormones like ethylene, melatonin, salicylic acid, and nitric oxide in regulating antioxidant defense systems, photosynthesis, and secondary metabolite production. She is particularly interested in how these signaling molecules interact to enhance plant resilience under stress conditions, as demonstrated through her studies on mustard and wheat. Her research also extends to understanding nutrient uptake, nitrogen-use efficiency, and carbohydrate metabolism in plants under stress. Additionally, she investigates the synergistic effects of beneficial microbes, such as plant-growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), on enhancing stress tolerance. Dr. Iqbal’s studies contribute significantly to advancing knowledge in plant physiology and stress biology, with implications for sustainable agriculture and crop productivity under changing climatic conditions.
Research Skills
Dr. Noushina Iqbal possesses exceptional research skills honed through extensive academic and professional experiences. Her expertise spans advanced plant biology, with a focus on plant stress physiology, ethylene signaling, and antioxidant defense mechanisms. She has demonstrated proficiency in molecular biology techniques, including gene expression analysis, biochemical assays, and plant tissue culture. Dr. Iqbal’s work integrates complex experimental designs to investigate plant responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, and salt stress. She is adept at handling statistical tools for data analysis and interpretation. Her strong publication record, with over 80 peer-reviewed papers and significant contributions to high-impact journals, highlights her ability to generate novel insights and advance scientific understanding. Dr. Iqbal is also skilled in collaborative research, having co-authored numerous interdisciplinary studies. Her research has significantly contributed to sustainable agriculture by enhancing plant resilience, positioning her as a leading expert in her field.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Noushina Iqbal has received several prestigious awards and recognitions throughout her academic career. She was honored with the Young Scientists Award by the Environmental Science Development Association (ESDA) for her outstanding research contributions. Additionally, her work in the field of antioxidants was recognized with the Best Paper Award in the journal Antioxidants, which has a significant impact factor of 7. Dr. Iqbal’s numerous high-impact publications earned her a certificate of appreciation from Jamia Hamdard on National Science Day. Her contributions to the scientific community have also led to her inclusion in the global list of 2% scientists, further establishing her reputation as a leading researcher. Her impressive citation metrics, including an h-index of 39 and over 8,500 citations, reflect the far-reaching influence of her work in botany and plant sciences. Dr. Iqbal’s numerous accolades underscore her commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and excellence in her field.
Conclusion
Dr. Noushina Iqbal’s extensive research output, high citation metrics, and experience in teaching and mentoring make her a suitable candidate for the Research for Best Researcher Award. Her work has advanced the field of plant physiology, and her contributions to understanding plant responses to environmental stress are crucial for addressing global agricultural challenges. Her achievements in academia and research align perfectly with the goals of this award.
Publication Top Notes
- “Exploring the role of jasmonic acid in boosting the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants: Pathway for future research”
- Authors: Khan, V., Jha, A., Princi, …, Iqbal, N., Umar, S.
- Journal: Industrial Crops and Products, 2024, 220, 119227
- Citations: 0
- “Salicylic Acid with Phosphorus Strengthens Antioxidative System, Secondary Metabolite Accumulation, and Limited Resource Enrichment to Enhance Photosynthesis Under Drought in Mustard”
- Authors: Shinde, M., Khan, V., Umar, S., Iqbal, N.
- Journal: Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 2024, 24(1), pp. 956–974
- Citations: 0
- “Methyl Jasmonate and Pseudomonas fluorescens Synergistically Boost Antioxidative Defense, Secondary Metabolites, and Osmolyte Production to Enhance Drought Resilience in Mustard”
- Authors: Khan, V., Princi, Mubashshir, M., Umar, S., Iqbal, N.
- Journal: Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 2024
- Citations: 1
- “Green-synthesized gold nanoparticles induce adaptation in photosynthetic responses, sugar and nitrogen metabolism, and seed yield of salt-stressed mustard plants”
- Authors: Khatoon, S., Mahajan, M., Kumari, S., …, Wahid, I., Khan, M.I.R.
- Journal: Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy, 2024
- Citations: 1
- “The Ethylene Biosynthetic Enzymes, 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate (ACC) Synthase (ACS) and ACC Oxidase (ACO): The Less Explored Players in Abiotic Stress Tolerance”
- Authors: Khan, S., Alvi, A.F., Saify, S., Iqbal, N., Khan, N.A.
- Journal: Biomolecules, 2024, 14(1), 90
- Citations: 8
- “A new perspective of melatonin in stress tolerance through regulation of nutrients”
- Authors: Seth, T., Asija, S., Khatoon, S., …, Umar, S., Khan, M.I.R.
- Journal: South African Journal of Botany, 2023, 163, pp. 316–329
- Citations: 3
- “Sulfur supplementation enhances nitric oxide efficacy in reversal of chromium-inhibited Calvin cycle enzymes, photosynthetic activity, and carbohydrate metabolism in wheat”
- Authors: Fatma, M., Sehar, Z., Iqbal, N., …, Proestos, C., Khan, N.A.
- Journal: Scientific Reports, 2023, 13(1), 6858
- Citations: 7
- “Synergistic action of Pseudomonas fluorescens with melatonin attenuates salt toxicity in mustard by regulating antioxidant system and flavonoid profile”
- Authors: Khan, V., Umar, S., Iqbal, N.
- Journal: Physiologia Plantarum, 2023, 175(6), e14092
- Citations: 8
- “Brassinosteroid modulates ethylene synthesis and antioxidant metabolism to protect rice (Oryza sativa) against heat stress-induced inhibition of source‒sink capacity and photosynthetic and growth attributes”
- Authors: Nazir, F., Jahan, B., Kumari, S., …, Sofo, A., Khan, M.I.R.
- Journal: Journal of Plant Physiology, 2023, 289, 154096
- Citations: 5
- “Melatonin Reverses High-Temperature-Stress-Inhibited Photosynthesis in the Presence of Excess Sulfur by Modulating Ethylene Sensitivity in Mustard”
- Authors: Iqbal, N., Sehar, Z., Fatma, M., …, Masood, A., Khan, N.A.
- Journal: Plants, 2023, 12(17), 3160
- Citations: 5