Prof. Qudsia Tahseen

Name : Qudsia Tahseen
Designation : Professor
Institution : Department of Zoology
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh 202002, India
Nationality : Indian
Academic qualifications : Ph.D., M.Phil., M.Sc., B.Sc. (Hon)
First Asian to receive ONTA special award 2005 for sustained excellence in Nematology.
Research Areas: Nematology: Nematode Taxonomy, Molecular Taxonomy, Ecology, Developmental Biology, Behaviour.

Address:

Professor Qudsia Tahseen,
Section of Nematology,
Department of Zoology,
Aligarh Muslim University,
Aligarh 202002 U.P. India.

email: qtahseen@yahoo.com

Soil biodiversity: number of species or number of functions?

Soil is one of the most diverse habitats on earth and contains one of the most diverse assemblages of living organisms (Giller et al., 1997). Nowhere, in nature, are species so densely packed as in soil communities (Hågvar, 1998). For example, a single gram of soil may contain millions of individual and several thousand species of bacteria (Torsvik et al., 1994).
The complex physical and chemical nature of the soil, with a porous structure, immense surface area, and extremely variable supply of organic materials, food, water and chemicals mean that various animal, plant and microbial worlds can co-exist simultaneously and find appropriate niches for their development. This provides a range of habitats for a multitude of fauna and flora ranging from macro- to micro- levels depending on climate, vegetation and physical and chemical characteristics of the given soil. The species numbers, composition and diversity of a given soil depend on many factors including aeration, temperature, acidity, moisture, nutrient content and organic substrate.
Soil biota includes bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, mites (acari), collembolans (springtails), annelids (enchytraeids and earthworms) and macroarthropods (insects, woodlice) (Fig. 1). It also includes plant roots and their exudates attract a variety of organisms which either feed directly on these secretions or graze on the microorganisms concentrated near the roots, giving this busy environment the name of rhizosphere. The soil communities are so diverse in both size and numbers of species, yet they are still extremely poorly understood and in dire need of further assessment. Research has been limited by their immense diversity, their small size and by technical problems.

Although some estimates on their density are available for those animal groups which have been more intensively studied, they are still preliminary and very likely to be much lower than the estimated total number of species for any particular group. For example, the described number of soil dwelling fungal species is estimated to be at least 74,000, while the projected number is over 1.5 million (Hawksworth, 2001). Other organisms expected to be much more species-rich are nematodes and mites, with perhaps only 3 and 5%, respectively, of the total species presently described (Walter and Proctor, 1999; Hawksworth and Mound, 1991). The estimates for bacteria and archea species are particularly problematic because of the differences in opinion as to what criteria should be used to define a species, and the present unculturability of many of these organisms (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo, 1995).
Soil biodiversity is often used as a synonym for the number of heterotrophic species below-ground (Hooper et al., 2005) which makes it impracticable in many ecological studies as it contributes little to our understanding of their role in ecosystem function. Another approach to classify soil organisms is using their body size as the main criterion: micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi), micro-fauna (e.g. protozoa, nematodes), meso-fauna (e.g. acari, springtails, enchytraeids) and macrofauna (e.g. insects, earthworms) (Wallwork, 1970; Swift et al., 1979). Unfortunately, the ranges that determine each group size are not exact for all the members of each group, often leading to considerable confusion as to whether a particular organism should be considered macro or meso, and so on.

Furthermore, this size-based classification does not take into account the functional capabilities of the organisms, i.e. how their activities affect their environment and the potential implications for the soil processes. In both natural and agroecosystems soil biota are responsible for performing vital functions in the soil ecosystem. These functions range from physical effects such as the regulation of soil structure and water regimes, to chemical and biological processes such as degradation of pollutants, decomposition, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emission, carbon sequestration, plant protection and growth enhancement or suppression.
When adding these functional aspects to soil biodiversity a ‘functional classification’ is derived and accordingly, a ‘functional group’ can be defined as a group of organisms which affects a process in a similar way (Cummins, 1974). The division of soil biota into roots, ecosystem engineers, litter transformers, phytophages and parasites, micro-predators and microflora proposed by Lavelle (1996) is a good example because it also takes into account the potential top-down regulatory controls of larger organisms (e.g., the ecosystem engineers) over smaller ones. According to this classification “ecosystem engineers” include termites, ants and earthworms, whose bioturbating activities produce structures that can last long periods of time (outlasting the organisms that produced them) and affect soil organic matter dynamics and soil physical processes. “Litter transformers” include many macro- and micro-arthropods, enchytraeid worms and other detritus feeders that stimulate the breakdown and decomposition of surface litter and organic matter, producing small, primarily organic fecal pellets. “Phytophages” and “parasites” include all organisms that feed upon or destroy plant parts, both above and below-ground. The “micropredators” are primarily microfauna such as nematodes and protozoa that do not produce any physical structures and survive by predation on microflora and other organisms, thus stimulating mineralization of organic matter and plant nutrient availability. At the lowest level, the “microflora” act upon organic matter and nutrient cycles, root and rhizosphere processes and plant production (with both positive and negative effects).
Other functional classifications focus on the dietary preferences of certain animals which provide a good indication of their behaviour. An example of this is that produced by Bouché (1971, 1972, 1977) for earthworms, who recognised three ecological groups, epigeics, endogeics and anecics, among European lumbricids. “Epigeic” worms are surface active, pigmented non-burrowing worms with relatively high reproductive rates which consume decaying plant residues on the soil surface; “anecic” worms build vertical burrows in the soil which descend into the mineral horizons but they feed at the surface usually at night; “endogeic” worms inhabit the organo-mineral and deep horizons, constructing branching sub- and horizontal burrows and they feed on more humified organic matter. Similarly, nematodes are classified into primary consumers (plant feeders), secondary consumers (bacterivores and fungivores), and tertiary consumers (predators and omnivores) (Yeates et al., 1993).
These functional classifications could well represent functional adaptations to the soil environment that allow different species to coexist by exploiting different food sources and habitat space (Edwards and Bohlen, 1996) and allow a deeper understanding of how they regulate soil processes rather than a number of species with unknown influences on their environment.
Soil is one of the most diverse habitats on earth and contains one of the most diverse assemblages of living organisms (Giller et al., 1997). Nowhere, in nature, are species so densely packed as in soil communities (Hågvar, 1998). For example, a single gram of soil may contain millions of individual and several thousand species of bacteria (Torsvik et al., 1994).
The complex physical and chemical nature of the soil, with a porous structure, immense surface area, and extremely variable supply of organic materials, food, water and chemicals mean that various animal, plant and microbial worlds can co-exist simultaneously and find appropriate niches for their development. This provides a range of habitats for a multitude of fauna and flora ranging from macro- to micro- levels depending on climate, vegetation and physical and chemical characteristics of the given soil. The species numbers, composition and diversity of a given soil depend on many factors including aeration, temperature, acidity, moisture, nutrient content and organic substrate.
Soil biota includes bacteria, fungi, protozoa, nematodes, mites (acari), collembolans (springtails), annelids (enchytraeids and earthworms) and macroarthropods (insects, woodlice) (Fig. 1). It also includes plant roots and their exudates attract a variety of organisms which either feed directly on these secretions or graze on the microorganisms concentrated near the roots, giving this busy environment the name of rhizosphere. The soil communities are so diverse in both size and numbers of species, yet they are still extremely poorly understood and in dire need of further assessment. Research has been limited by their immense diversity, their small size and by technical problems.


Although some estimates on their density are available for those animal groups which have been more intensively studied, they are still preliminary and very likely to be much lower than the estimated total number of species for any particular group. For example, the described number of soil dwelling fungal species is estimated to be at least 74,000, while the projected number is over 1.5 million (Hawksworth, 2001). Other organisms expected to be much more species-rich are nematodes and mites, with perhaps only 3 and 5%, respectively, of the total species presently described (Walter and Proctor, 1999; Hawksworth and Mound, 1991). The estimates for bacteria and archea species are particularly problematic because of the differences in opinion as to what criteria should be used to define a species, and the present unculturability of many of these organisms (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo, 1995).
Soil biodiversity is often used as a synonym for the number of heterotrophic species below-ground (Hooper et al., 2005) which makes it impracticable in many ecological studies as it contributes little to our understanding of their role in ecosystem function. Another approach to classify soil organisms is using their body size as the main criterion: micro-organisms (e.g. bacteria, fungi), micro-fauna (e.g. protozoa, nematodes), meso-fauna (e.g. acari, springtails, enchytraeids) and macrofauna (e.g. insects, earthworms) (Wallwork, 1970; Swift et al., 1979). Unfortunately, the ranges that determine each group size are not exact for all the members of each group, often leading to considerable confusion as to whether a particular organism should be considered macro or meso, and so on.
Furthermore, this size-based classification does not take into account the functional capabilities of the organisms, i.e. how their activities affect their environment and the potential implications for the soil processes. In both natural and agroecosystems soil biota are responsible for performing vital functions in the soil ecosystem. These functions range from physical effects such as the regulation of soil structure and water regimes, to chemical and biological processes such as degradation of pollutants, decomposition, nutrient cycling, greenhouse gas emission, carbon sequestration, plant protection and growth enhancement or suppression.
When adding these functional aspects to soil biodiversity a ‘functional classification’ is derived and accordingly, a ‘functional group’ can be defined as a group of organisms which affects a process in a similar way (Cummins, 1974). The division of soil biota into roots, ecosystem engineers, litter transformers, phytophages and parasites, micro-predators and microflora proposed by Lavelle (1996) is a good example because it also takes into account the potential top-down regulatory controls of larger organisms (e.g., the ecosystem engineers) over smaller ones. According to this classification “ecosystem engineers” include termites, ants and earthworms, whose bioturbating activities produce structures that can last long periods of time (outlasting the organisms that produced them) and affect soil organic matter dynamics and soil physical processes. “Litter transformers” include many macro- and micro-arthropods, enchytraeid worms and other detritus feeders that stimulate the breakdown and decomposition of surface litter and organic matter, producing small, primarily organic fecal pellets. “Phytophages” and “parasites” include all organisms that feed upon or destroy plant parts, both above and below-ground. The “micropredators” are primarily microfauna such as nematodes and protozoa that do not produce any physical structures and survive by predation on microflora and other organisms, thus stimulating mineralization of organic matter and plant nutrient availability. At the lowest level, the “microflora” act upon organic matter and nutrient cycles, root and rhizosphere processes and plant production (with both positive and negative effects).
Other functional classifications focus on the dietary preferences of certain animals which provide a good indication of their behaviour. An example of this is that produced by Bouché (1971, 1972, 1977) for earthworms, who recognised three ecological groups, epigeics, endogeics and anecics, among European lumbricids. “Epigeic” worms are surface active, pigmented non-burrowing worms with relatively high reproductive rates which consume decaying plant residues on the soil surface; “anecic” worms build vertical burrows in the soil which descend into the mineral horizons but they feed at the surface usually at night; “endogeic” worms inhabit the organo-mineral and deep horizons, constructing branching sub- and horizontal burrows and they feed on more humified organic matter. Similarly, nematodes are classified into primary consumers (plant feeders), secondary consumers (bacterivores and fungivores), and tertiary consumers (predators and omnivores) (Yeates et al., 1993).
These functional classifications could well represent functional adaptations to the soil environment that allow different species to coexist by exploiting different food sources and habitat space (Edwards and Bohlen, 1996) and allow a deeper understanding of how they regulate soil processes rather than a number of species with unknown influences on their environment.

REFERENCES

Bouché, M.B., 1971. Relations entre les structures spatiales et fonctionelles des ecosystems, illustrées par le role pédobiologique des vers de terre. In: La Vie dans les Sols, Aspects Nouveaux, Études Experimentales (Ed. P. Pesson), pp. 187- 209. Gauthier-Villars, Paris.
Bouché, M.B., 1972. Lombriciens de France. Ecologie et Systématique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Paris.
Bouché, M.B., 1977. Stratégies lombriciennes. In: Soil Organisms as Components of Ecosystems ( Eds. U. Lohm and T. Persson), pp. 122-132. Ecological Bulletins 25, Stockholm, Sweden.
Cummins, K.W., 1974. Structure and function of stream ecosystems. Bioscience 24, 631-641.
Edwards, C. A. and Bohlen, P. J., 1996. Biology and Ecology of Earthworms. Chapman and Hall, London.
Giller, K.E., Beare, M.H., Lavelle, P., Izac A.M.N and Swift, M.J. , 1997. gricultural intensification, soil biodiversity and agroecosystem function Applied Soil Ecology 6, 3-16.
Hågvar, S., 1998. The relevance of the Rio-Convention on biodiversity to conserving the biodiversity of soils. Applied Soil Ecology 9, 1-7.
Hawksworth, D.L. & Mound, L.A., 1991. Biodiversity Databases: The Crucial Significance of Collections. In: D.L. Hawksworth (Ed), The Biodiversity of Microorganisms and Invertebrates: Its Role in Sustainable Agriculture, pp. 17-31. CAB Intemational, Wallingford.
Hawksworth, D.L. and Kalin-Arroyo, M.T., 1995. Magnitude and distribution of biodiversity. In: V.H. Heywood and R.T. Watson (Eds) Global biodiversity assessment, pp. 107-191. United Nations Environment Programme & Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.
Hawksworth, D.L., 2001. The magnitude of fungal diversity: the 1•5 million species estimate revisited Mycological Research 105, 1422-1432.
Hooper, D.U., Chapin III, F.S., Ewel, J.J., Hector, A., Inchausti, P., Lavorel, S., Lawton, J.H., Lodge, D.M., Loreau, M., Naeem, S. , Schmid, B., Setälä, H., Symstad, A.J., Vandermeer, J., Wardle, D. A., 2005. Effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning: a consensus of current knowledge. Ecological Monographs 75, 3–35.
Lavelle, P., 1996. Diversity of soil fauna and ecosystem function. Biology International 33, 3-16.
Swift, M.J., Heal, O.W. and Anderson, J.M., 1979. Decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems, Blackwell, London.
Torsvik, V., Goksoyr, J., Daae, F.L., Sorheim, R., Michalsen, J. and Salte, K., 1994. Use of DNA analysis to determine the diversity of microbial communities. In: Ritz, K., Dighton, J. and Giller, K.E., Editors, 1994. Beyond the Biomass, Wiley, Chichester, pp. 39–48.
Wallwork, J.A., 1970. Ecology of Soil Animals. McGraw-Hill. New York.
Walter, D.E. and Proctor, H.C., 1999. Mites: Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour. University of New South Wales Press and CAB International.
Yeates, G.W., Bongers, T., de Goede, R.G.M., Freckman, D.W., Georgieva, S.S., 1993. Feeding habits in soil nematode families and genera – an outline for soil ecologists. Journal of Nematology 25, 315-331.

TEXTUAL COLLECTIONS OF NEMATOLOGY

http://fulltextt10.fcla.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?sid=930ac3fd7bf36b3c47d2fdc82758f276;page=browsecolls;a=30

NEMATODE DIVERSITY

Nematode - Definition

A spindle-shaped colourless worm, also called roundworm, belonging to the phylum Nematoda (about 80 000 species). Most nematodes are less than 3 mm long and have a mouth at one end, sometimes containing teeth or stylets, and usually a short muscular pharynx leading to the intestine.

What are Nematodes

Nematodes are the most numerous multicellular animals on earth. A handful of soil will contain thousands of the microscopic worms, many of them parasites of insects, plants or animals. Free-living species are abundant, including nematodes that feed on bacteria, fungi, and other nematodes, yet the vast majority of species encountered are poorly understood biologically. There are nearly 20,000 described species classified in the phylum Nemata.

Nematodes are structurally simple organisms. Adult nematodes are comprised of approximately 1,000 somatic cells, and potentially hundreds of cells associated with the reproductive system . Nematodes have been characterized as a tube within a tube ; referring to the alimentary canal which extends from the mouth on the anterior end, to the anus located near the tail. Nematodes possess digestive, nervous, excretory, and reproductive systems, but lack a discrete circulatory or respiratory system. In size they range from 0.3 mm to over 8 meters.

Phylum Nemata

The word Nematoda comes from the Greek words nematos, meaning thread, and eidos, meaning form. Over the years, nematodes have been classified in four different phyla, not always under the same name. There are two contending names for the phylum of nematodes. In 1919, Cobb named the study of nematodes nematology and therefore wished to rename nematodes nemata. Cobb also placed nematodes in their own phylum, the phylum Nemata. However, when nematodes were placed in the phylum Aschelminthes, they were classified as class Nematoda (along with class Rotifera, class Gastrotricha, class Kinorhyncha, class Priapulida and class Nematomorpha).

Current trends in the study of Nematodes

Nematodes were largely regarded as only of marginal interest not so long ago. But due to recent awareness about their role in agriculture and soil ecosystem, work has began on these animals in a big way in many parts of world, in particular on plant and soil nematodes.

Various characteristics of Nematodes that facilitate their study

They possess transparent bodies that facilitates direct observation of their structures without a real need to stain them. Short life cycles, cell constancy and easy to follow embryonic development makes them one of the finest models for various kinds of biological studies. Some nematode species are regarded as harmful because of threat that they pose to human health and also that of animals and crops. But there are others, which are useful in suppressing pest populations and also in serving as useful bio-indicators. A few entomophagous species are much in demand these days because of their role in controlling insect populations world over.

Distribution and diversity in Nematodes

Basic pattern of body organization may be very similar in all nematodes, but these tiny primitive creatures are structurally very diverse and have in many respects, amazing ways of life. Foremost among these is their numerical superiority, which surpasses all imaginations. A single acre of soil from an arable land is said to contain as many as 3,000,000,000 nematodes, while those from sandy beach nearly half as much. A single grain of wheat parasitized by well known wheat-gall nematode, Anguina tritici may contain up to 100,000 of its juveniles. Those who may be familiar with techniques for their extraction from soils would indeed know that in a single sample it is not unusual to find 10-15 genera of nematodes with as many or more species of different kinds and characteristics. Rarely these numbers could be astounding. For example, in one soil sample, weighing not more than 1 kg from a locality in Malnad tracts of Karnataka, we had ourselves recorded over 60 genera of nematodes. This alone speaks volumes about tremendous diversity of group as also their wide distribution. Leaving aside perhaps protozoans, no other animal group, insects included, is so numerous and widespread. The claim of some nematologists that nearly 90% of all metazoans in the world are nematodes, something about which entomologists would rather be skeptical, is indeed closer to truth than exaggeration. Apart from the numerical superiority of nematodes, species numbers are also unbelievably very high, close on the heels to that of insects.

Nematodes Vs Insects

Common man usually has a very good knowledge of insects as pests of crops and stored grains and also as parasites, carriers, vectors and intermediate hosts of many well-known diseases. Insects such as houseflies, bedbugs, locusts, butterflies, honeybees, silkworms, lac insects etc. are well known to mankind, largely due to their economic importance. But the same cannot be said about nematodes in spite of their almost equal importance.
Insects cause damage to our crops and also parasitize man and higher groups of animals. Nematodes are capable of doing all this and more. Structural, functional and habitat diversity of two groups is also quite comparable. Maybe nematodes have a slight edge over insects in their adaptability and survival under adverse conditions. It is not surprising that many plant protection scientists regard nematology as younger sister of entomology. Principles are same, methodologies and approaches are similar, only organisms and set of scientists are different.

AMU Prof. gets Lifetime Achievement Award in Zoology

Prof. M. Shamim Jairajpuri of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Zoology by the Zoological Society of India. This is for the first time this award has been given to anyone by the Zoological Society of India. Governor of Meghalaya, Mr. Moosaharry presented this award to Prof. Jairajpuri at the National Congress of Zoology, held in Guwahati, Assam. Prof. Jairajpuri is working in the Department of Zoology of the varsity. Mr. Moosaharry also presented Prof. Jairajpuri the eminent Indian Zoologist Gold Medal together with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Earlier in 2007, India Society for Parasitology also conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award in Parasitology to Prof. Jairajpuri.Nematological Society of India also conferred the Honorary Fellowship of Society in 2006 as recognition on his research in Nematology.

AMU felicitates faculty and students, to celebrate 2008 as 'academic rejuvenation' year

The Aligarh Muslim University felicitated its 80 teachers and students for their excellent performance in 2007. At the Republic Day program, 30 faculty members and 50 students were presented with mementoes in recognition of their contribution to academic, corporate and co-curricular life of the university community. This was the first time in the history of the university that such awards were presented.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor, Professor P K Abdul Azis said AMU had decided to celebrate 2008 as a year of 'academic rejuvenation.' He also said the World Summit of AMU Alumni would be held on the occasion of forthcoming Founder's Day. This Summit would provide an opportunity to interact with teachers and students and establish a Global Alumni Foundation to raise funds for creating an international research fellowship and collaborative projects between AMU, other universities and industries from around the world.
Captain Abbas Ali Khan, AMU old boy and freedom fighter, suggested the publication of a book highlighting the role of AMU alumni in the freedom struggle. He pointed out that the university produced several great freedom fighters like Hasrat Mohani, Raja Mahendra Pratap and Ali Brothers.
Achievements of the Students and Faculty Members
Retired Teachers:
1. Professor Mukhtaruddin Arzoo, noted Arabic Scholar and former Dean, faculty of Arts has been selected for the Sir Syed Lifetime Achievements Award for the year 2007 by the AMU Alumni Association of North America.
2. Prof Shamim Jairajpuri, former Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University and former Dean, Faculty of Science (Nematology) has conferred a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Indian Society for Parasitology at Vishakhapatnam.
3. Prof Iqbal Ansari, Retired Professor of English has been honoured with “Citation of Excellence” for his significant contribution in the area of promotion of human rights on the occasion of International Human Rights Day.
4. Prof Nazeer Ahmad, noted Persian Scholar and Emeritus Professor of Persian has been honoured by the faculty members of Delhi University.
Teachers:
5. Professor Maria Bilquis, Department of Persian has been selected for the Presidential Award of Certificate of Honor by the President of India in recognition of her outstanding contribution to Persian Studies.
6. Dr. Mohd Sanaullah, Reader, Department of Arabic honored Maharishi Badrayan Vyas Samman by the President of India in Arabic language.
7. Prof. Arif Nazeer, Department of Hindi nominated for the Bhartiya Award. He has also been honored with National Award for his books Hindi main auwad ki Bhumika and Do Bhashi computerization by Bhartiya Anuwad Parishad, Delhi.
8. Prof Sheikh Mastan, Department of Modern Indian languages has been conferred upon with prestigious Telgu language “Shri Husain Shah Memorial Award” by Sahitya Samiti, Andhra Pradesh.
9. Dr. Khalid Bin Yusuf Khan, Department of Sanskrit has been conferred with the prestigious “Vivid Puraskar” for his book ‘Rig Cherka by Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan.
10. Professor Mohd. Afzal, Department of Zoology has been honored with “Eminent Scientist” Award by National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi.
11. Professor Nafees A Khan, Department of Botany has been conferred with Eminent Scientist Award in the field of Environmental Plant Physiology by the National Environmental Science Academy, New Delhi.
12. Prof. Mohammad Shabbir, Incharge, Ambeskar Chair of Legal Studies and Research has been awarded “Shiksha Ratna Puraskar” and a Certificate of Excellence by the India International Friendship Society, New Delhi.
13. Dr Qudsia Tahseen, Reader, Department of Zoology (Nematology) has been elected a Fellow of Indian Academy of Science, Bangalore. She has received six young Scientist Awards including INSA Young Scientist Medal, Young Scientist Awards of Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) and Indian Society of development of Biologists (ISDB).
14. Dr. Mohd Shameem, Lecturer in the Department of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases received the prestigious Fellowship of the American College of Chest Physicians, Chicago, IL (USA).
15. Dr. Saeed Ahmad, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental College has been awarded the Commonwealth Fellowship by the Association of Commonwealth Universities, London (UK).
16. Dr. Latif Zafar Jilani, Lecturer in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery has been elected as a member of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (UK).
17. Dr Sahmsul Hayat, Reader, Department of Botany has been awarded Associateship of National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, New Delhi.
18. Professor Mohd. Anis, Department of Botany has been awarded the “Eminent Scientists of the year 2007” in the XX Annual Conference of the NESA at New Delhi.
19. Dr. Mohammad Mobin, Reader, Department of Applied Chemistry, Z.H.College of Engineering & Technology has been conferred upon with Corrosion Awareness Award 2007 by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited.
20. Professor Kabiruddin, Department of Chemistry has been selected for Prof Suresh C. Ameta Award by the Indian Chemical Society, Kolkata.
21. Dr. Syed Moid Ahmad, Department of Anaesthesiology has been appointed as Instructor, fundamental Critical care support by the Society of Critical Care Medicine, USA. Instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, American Heart Association, California USA.
22. Dr. M. Wasi Khan, Guest faculty, Department of Physics has been awarded best poster prize in Solid Sate physics symposium-2007 organized by the Department of Atomic Energy at Mysore University.
23. Dr. Omar Farooq, Reader, Department of Electronics Engineering has been Research partner in a 3 year project under UKIERI Standard Award Scheme of Pounds 133,878 on “Wireless Communication to improve Monitoring of Heart Disease and Diabetes” (2007) and UKIEI Post Doctoral Fellowship for one year from June 2007 to carry out research in the area of Automatic Hindi Speech Recognition by Computer (2007).
24. Dr. Yusufuzaman Khan, Reader, Department of Electrical Engineering, has been awarded Commonwealth Fellowship for the Post Doctoral Research in University of Essex, UK, 2007.
25. Prof. Alim H Naqvi, Department of Applied Physics – DST has approved M.Tech. (Nanotechnology) with a support of Rs. 2.0 crores (2007) and UGC granted One PG Diploma in nanotechnology under its innovative programme (2007).
26. Prof. Mehdi A. Rizvi, Department of Mechanicl Engineering, has got a grant of Rs. 46 lakhs from UGC for High Speed Computing facility at the Department of Mechanical Engineering (2007).
Students & Research Scholars:
27. Dr. Mohd. Faisal, Department of Botany awarded SERC Fast Track Scheme for young Scientist by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
28. Dr. Mohd Faisal of Botany awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science & Technology (DST).
29. Dr. Manzer H. Siddiqui of Botany awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
30. Dr. Abdul Viqar Khan of Botany awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
31. Dr. Akil Ahmad, Department of Botany awarded Young Scientist fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
32. Dr. Barkat Ali, Department of Botany awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
33. Dr. Riaz Ahmed, Department of Zoology awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project by the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
34. Dr. Mohammad Manjur Shah Department of Zoology awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
35. Dr. Md. Baniyamuddin of Zoology (Nematology) awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
36. Dr. Mohd Mahmood, Department of Zoology (Nematology) awarded Young Scientist fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
37. Dr. Yasir H. Siddiqui, Department of Zoology awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
38. Dr. (Mrs.) Shama Parveen of Chemistry awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
39. Dr. (Mrs.) Sayyed Jabeen S.M., Department of Physics awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
40. Dr. Nazeer Ahmad, Department of Physics, got the Young Scientist Award under SERC Fast Track Scheme by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
41. Dr. (Mrs.) Farhana Zahir of Forensic Medicine (Brain Research Centre) awarded Young Scientist Fast Track Project funded by Department of Science and Technology (DST).
42. Mr. Ahteshamul Haque, Research Scholar, Department of Electrical Engineering has been awarded Young Scientist Fellowship by the Department of Science and Technology (DST).
43. Ms. Amita Somya, Research Scholar in the Department of Applied Chemistry has been awarded the Professor A. K. Dey Memorial Young Scientist Award by the Indian Chemical Society, Kolkata.
44. Mr. N.A. Arivarsu, Research Scholar, Department of Biochemistry has been appointed first secretary of the Indian Branch of Regional students’ group of India, International Society for Computational Biology Students Council (ISCBSE).
45. Mr. Shahper Nazeer Khan, Research Scholar of Biotechnology Unit has been awarded the best Paper Award in the International Conference at Sathyabama University, Chennai.
46. Mr. Mohd Kashif, Electronics Engineer in the Physics Department got the Fellowship of the University of Cagliari (Italy).
47. Dr. Rajesh Kumar, Department of Applied Physics got the First Prize and Best Poster presentation in 15th National Symposium on Solid State Nuclear Tracks in Solids and their Applications at HNB University, Garhwal, 2007.
48. Mr. Faridul Qadar, Department of Petro Chemical Engineering, won the First Prize in Hydrocarbon Quiz during “Industry-Academia Interface” organized by Petrotech Society 2007 (New Delhi).
49. Mr. Saleem Akhtar Farooqui and Mr. Nehaluddin Khan secured Second Position in the event Cheminnovation in ChemInsIghT 07 organised by Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Kharagpur 2007.
50. Mr. Imran Ahmad, II year B.Arch got BIRLA YUVA RATNA award 2007.
51. Dr. Mohd Mohsin Khan, Guest Faculty and Mohd. Danish Azmi, Research Scholar of the Department of Physics visited CERN (European Centre for Nuclear research) Geneva.
52. Dr. Mohd. Tauheed, MD student of Community Medicine got the Premio special award for his English poetic collection XII International Literary festival held at Sissa, Italy.
53. Mr. Mohd. Fahad Ullah, Research Scholar, Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences has been selected by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as Member of the Indian Youth Delegation to China from 7th June to 16th June 2007 to promote mutual understanding of values and cultures amongst the youth and to develop better relations between India and China.
54. Mr. Ubaid Hameed Shah, a PG Student, Department of Pediatrics got the best Research paper award in the 19th Annual Conference of Indian Academy of Pediatrics, Kolkata.
55. Mr. Amit Garg, Mr. Shahzor Khan, Mr. Shahbaz Khan, Mr. Kapil Goyal, Mr. Ankur Agarwal, Mr. Ahmad Danish, Mr. Zubair Ahmad and Mr. Sanjay – Students of class XI and XII got the positions in the National Science Olympiad.
56. Mr. Ahmad Faraz, Student of BIT was awarded the second prize in Rashtriya Kamalnain Bajaj Inter University Elocution Competition held at Vardha, Maharashtra.
57. Mr. Riyaz, Student of B.Tech III year, Mr. Arshad Islam, Student of B.Tech. (Final), Suman Doogar won the II prize in quiz in North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival at CSJM, Kanpur.
58. Ms. Maria Salman, student of M.Sc. (Previous) won the 2nd prize in English debate in North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival at CSJM, Kanpur.
59. Ms. Samrah Fatima, student of M.Sc. (F) won the II prize in Hindi debate in North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival at CSJM, Kanpur. She also won the first prize in 34 Kamalnarayan Bajaj Memorial Inter-University Elocution Competition in English by Shiksha Mandal, Vardha (Maharashtra).
60. Mr. Udit Pratap Singh, Mohd. Anirul Islam and Vishal Gulati, Students of BFA won the II prize in Installation in North Zone Inter-University Youth Festival at CSJM, Kanpur.
61.Mr. Shad Ahmad Khan, Student of B.Com II year got the II prize in English debate at G.B. Pant University, Pantnagar (Uttrakhand).
62.Mr. Ameen Ahmad, Student of Diploma Engineering I Year got the II prize in English debate at GB Pant University, Pantnagar (Utrakhand).
63.Mr. Amir Anwar, Captain AMU Cricket team has been selected to lead the North Zone Vizi Trophy Cricket team.
64.Mr. Danish Ali of the University Cricket Team has been selected for C.K. Naidu under 19 to represent Indian Railways team.
65.Mr. Imtiaz Ahmad, student of BPE, has been selected for Indian Universities Cricket Team. He also selected for Ranji Trophy team Uttar Pradesh, Vizy Trophy, Indian Universities team National Cricket Academy, Zonal Cricket Academy, UP Under 22 team.
66. Mr. Prerit Shrama, student of Class XII ranked No 1 by the UP Table Tennis Association, selected to represent UP Team in Junior National Table Tennis Championship 2007 at Indore.
67. Mr. Ahmad Nabeel Khan, student of B.Sc.(P), AMU Roller Skating Team won the XXX All India Open Roller Skating Championship 2007 held at Mussoorie.
68. Mr. Ausaf, AMU Riding team participated in Magadh Horse Show 2007 held at Gaya (Bihar). He reached the final round in individual sword Pegging. Gulfaraz Ahmad Khan was the highest scorer in individual performances.
69. Mr. Motiur Rehman, student of BPE was selected for Combined University Hockey Team for the 44th Jawaharlal Nehru Tournament by the Association of Indian Universities.
70. Mr. Bahere Alam, student of BPE (II), received 100 meters 1st place in Open Distract Athletic Meet 2007-08.
71. Mr. Shashikant student of BPE (II), received Individual Champion Open District Athletic meet 2007-08 (Men Category).
72. Mr. Mohd. Ayyub student of BPED, received III Place 400 meters Hurdle in UP State.
73. Ms. Deepika Chaudhary student of BPE (II), got the individual Champion Open District Athletic meet 2007-08 (Women’s Category).

NEMATOLOGY RESEARCH LAB.

SECTION OF NEMATOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY

ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY

ALIGARH (U.P.)-INDIA

Dr. Noorus Sabah Firdausi

R. A. (AICOPTAX)

Dr. Md. Mahamood

Young Scientist (DST)

Gaurav Kumar Singh

J. R. F. (AICOPTAX)

Puneet Kumar Gupta

T. A. (AICOPTAX)

Gazala Yousuf

Research Student

Prof. Wasim Ahmad

Prof. Wasim Ahmad

Born in Chapra, India on 10 April 1957. Educated at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, 1971-81; Ph.D. 1981; D.Sc. 1993. Advance studies in Nematology at Reading University, UK, 1995; Scottish Crop Research Institute, Dundee, 1995; Natural History Museum, London, 1995; Institute of Hydrobiology, CAS, China, 1999; Institut f_r Nematology, Munster, Germany, 1999-2000; Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Costa Rica, 2001; Universidad de Jaen, Spain, 2001; National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan, 2002-2003; National University of Singapore, 2003; Fudan University, Shanghai, China, 2006; National Institute of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Suwon, Korea, 2007.

Professor, Nematology Section, Department of Zoology, Aligharh Muslim University, Aligarh, 2005 to date.

Pool Scientist, Rajendra Agricultural University, Pusa, 1983-84; Lecturer, 1988-92; Senior Lecturer, 1992-97 and Reader, 1997-2005, Nematology Section, Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.

Research Areas: Nematology: biodiversity, nematode taxonomy, ultrastructure, molecular taxonomy, ecology, phylogenomics.

Address:

Professor Wasim Ahmad

Section of Nematology,

Department of Zoology,

Aligarh Muslim University,

Aligarh 202002 U.P. India;

Home-

4/1176 J, New Sir Syed Nagar,

Aligarh 202002 U.P. India.

Tel.: Off. (0571) 2700920-23 Ext.3441; Res. 2506865;

Email: ahmadwasim57@yahoo.co.in

Prof. M. S. Jairajpuri

In 1998, the Urdu-knowing people were taken aback by an unconventional decision. The Centre had chosen Mohammad Shamim Jairajpuri, a Zoologist at Aligarh Muslim University, to be the first vice-chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), Hyderabad. Many an Urdu scholar fumed and fretted for being bypassed, while the coveted post went to a man whose literary credentials were nothing, beyond the fact that his grandfather was an Urdu poet. But then Jairajpuri was made VC of the world’s only university in the Urdu medium not because of his lineage, but because of his scientific temperament and vision.

Three years later, he has proved his detractors wrong. Since then the university has produced 11,000 students, skilled in various technical trades through Urdu medium. Also, through its distance education programme, it has opened 50 study centres across the country and reached out to those sections who were denied the light of education. Sitting under the imposing arch of Urdu Research Institute, Anjuman-I-Islam, where his biography Romance of Research was released on Thursday, the suave, soft-spoken senior scientist shared some thoughts on his biography, Urdu University and his outstanding research in Nematology (study of worms) and Taxonomy (classification of organisms).

So, what’s the connection between a vice-chancellor of an Urdu University and a biography in English? “In the last 40 years of my career, I have worked in English and have published my research papers and books in that language. I know Urdu, but I am more proficient in English. Also, my students and colleagues, who have contributed to Romance of Research, wanted it to be in a language which could reach a larger audience.” Edited by Jairajpuri’s two friends and a student, the book doesn’t fall in a conventional biographical genre a long autobiographical piece That’s My Life is also part of it.

But breaking conventions comes easy to Jairajpuri. Born in a middle-class family in Jairajpur village in Azamgarh (Uttar Pradesh), he went to Shibli National College there, and later to Aligarh Muslim University. Not a brilliant student, he excelled in academics through sheer hard work. He reminisces: “Hard work was the only weapon I had in my armoury to achieve recognition. Naturally, I had no choice but to use it most extravagantly.” Jairajpuri’s life is a shining example of how a student of average intelligence can scale dizzying heights by dint of a dogged determination. “I would spend endless hours in the lab and my department’s library, often getting reprimanded by my wife at home. I always wanted to distinguish myself from the crowd. Merely teaching would not have brought international repute. I knew my destiny lay in research. So I put my heart into it,” he says.

As a result, Jairajpuri completed his doctorate at 22 and received his Doctor of Science degree at 28 to be the youngest student in the world to have been awarded a DSc. He is also among the rare research scholars who got an appointment letter for lecturership the day he submitted his thesis. Then on, he has served as lecturer, reader and professor at Aligarh and principal nematologist at the prestigious Commonwealth Bureau of Heminthology, UK (which later became International Institute of Parasitology). “I could have lived in the UK. The salary was ten times more than what I would have got here. I had offers even from Canada and the US. But I wanted to do something for my motherland. So I came back home,” he says with pride.

In fact, three ‘Ms’ maa (mother), madrewattan (motherland) and madredarsagah (alma mater) have been Jairajpuri’s weaknesses, for his mother once sold her jewellery to fund his education. “Having lost her early, I always felt a sort of hollowness within. I wish she would have been around to see my rise,” he says with a heavy heart. However, he compensated the loss he felt with sterling achievements in academics. Author of 350 research papers and 20 books, Jairajpuri has won many awards including the first Janaki Ammal National Award for Taxonomy.

In 1989, the then secretary to the Ministry of Environment and Forests T N Seshan (who later became charismatic Election Commissioner of India) interviewed a group of scientists for the post of Director of the Zoological Survey of India (Zoological Survey of India), Calcutta. Jairajpuri stood head above shoulders among them and became the youngest (then all of 46) Director in the 124-year history of ZSI. As director of a nodal scientific organisation in the country, he travelled extensively. From protozoa to mammalia, he studied various animals and their behaviour in different topographies. Reminiscing his days at ZSI, he writes: “From the enchanting marshes of Sunderbans... to the breath-taking beauty of the Himalayas... I was everywhere and on the move.”

Jairajpuri left ZSI in 1993 and went on to found the Institute of Agriculture at AMU. From studying worms to founding institutions, including the Urdu University, Jairajpuri has traversed circuitous paths. And yet there is no sign of fatigue in him. A dreamer never finds full-stops; he always opens new chapters.

In 2008, ZSI gave him LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT AWARD.

Present Address-

Prof. M. S. Jairajpuri

Department of Zoology

Aligarh Muslim University

Aligarh-202002, U.P. (INDIA)

WELCOME

Hi everyone,
Welcome to the world of nematodes.