Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
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Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award in 2007
Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award in 2001
Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Awrd in 1998
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary | |
|---|---|
| Born | 11 September 1959 Karachi, Pakistan |
| Alma mater | University of Karachi Cornell University |
| Known for | Natural product chemistry Organic chemistry |
| Awards | Mustafa Prize Award in 2021 Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award in 2007 Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award in 2001 Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Awrd in 1998 |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Organic Chemistry |
| Institutions | International Centre for Chemical & Biological Sciences (HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry & Dr Panjwani Centre For Molecular Medicine & Drug Research) |
Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary (Urdu: محمد اقبال چودھری; born 11 September 1959) is a Pakistani organic chemist. He is known for his research in natural product chemistry and has published over 1,600 research papers.[1] In 2015, he was recognized as the second most productive scientist in Pakistan.[1]
In recognition of his contributions to Sino-Pakistani research collaborations, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine in China named a research center after him in 2024.[2][3]
Choudhary earned his BSc from the University of Karachi, followed by an MSc in organic chemistry from the same institution. He completed his PhD in organic chemistry at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry at the University of Karachi. His doctoral thesis was titled "The Isolation and Structural Studies on Some Medicinal Plants of Pakistan, Buxus papillosa, Catharanthus roseus, and Cissampelos pareira."[4] He conducted post-doctoral research at Cornell University in the United States.[5]
Career
Choudhary has served as a professor at the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research. He is currently professor emeritus at the University of Karachi and served as Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences.[6]
He has held visiting professor positions at:
- University of Rhode Island, United States[7]
- Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia[8]
- King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia[9]
Awards and honors
Choudhary has received numerous awards for his contributions to organic chemistry:
- Mustafa Prize (2021) for discovery of molecules with therapeutic applications[10]
- Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan (2007)[5]
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) by the President of Pakistan (2001)[5]
- Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) by the Government of Pakistan (1998)[5]
- Distinguished National Professor, Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (2004)[5][11]
- COMSTECH Award in Chemistry (2010)
- TWAS Award (Third World Academy of Sciences Young Scientist Award), Italy (1994)[5][12]
- Khwarizmi International Award by the President of Iran (2006)[5]
- Economic Cooperation Organization Award by the President of Azerbaijan (2006)[5][13]
- Senior Fulbright Award, United States (1997–1998)[5]
- Gold medal of Pakistan Academy of Sciences (1993)[5]
He is an elected fellow of:
Research contributions
Choudhary's research has focused on natural product chemistry, particularly the isolation and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds from medicinal plants. His notable publications include studies on cholinesterase inhibitors, α-glucosidase inhibitors, and antibacterial compounds from various plant sources. He has also authored the book "Solving Problems with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy" published by Academic Press in 1996.
Selected publications include:
- Studies on steroidal alkaloids from Sarcococca saligna with cholinesterase-inhibiting and antibacterial properties
- Research on α-glucosidase inhibitors from Ferula mongolica
- Investigation of alkaloids from Buxus papillosa, Rhazya stricta, and Alstonia macrophylla
- Work on fungal biotransformation of terpenoids
