Past Events

COMSTECH WEBINAR SERIES

‘Intersection of Engineering and Biology across the Scales: Opportunities for Personalized Diagnostics and Printing Cellular Machines’

Flyer attached,

Date: Monday, 30^th October 2023
Time: 05:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)
Online participation only.

Speaker/Convener
Prof. Dr. Rashid Bashir
Department of Bioengineering, Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory
Grainger College of Engineering
Carle Illinois College of Medicine University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Abstract of the webinar:

Integration of biology, medicine, and engineering and especially fabrication methods at the micro and nano scale offers tremendous opportunities for solving important problems in biology and medicine, and enables a wide range of applications in diagnostics, therapeutics, and tissue engineering. Specifically, microfluidics and Lab-on-Chip can realize applications in detection of disease markers, counting of specific cells from whole blood, and for identification of nucleic acids using sensitive and specific, point-of-care and personalized technologies. The implication of these technologies for advancing personalized medicine for sepsis and cancer would be discussed. Moving up the scale from nanotechnology and microfluidics, 3D bio-fabrication methods for biohybrid polymer devices can also be used to develop instrumented tissues for drug screening and biohybrid robotics.

Speakers Profile:

Prof. Dr. Rashid Bashir is Professor of Bioengineering, the Grainger Distinguished Chair in Engineering, and is currently the Dean of Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has also been the Department Head of Bioengineering and the Director of the Holonyak Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was member of the core founding team and co-chair of the inaugural curriculum committee for the Carle Illinois College of Medicine, the world’s first engineering-based College of Medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He has previously been at Purdue University and at National Semiconductor Corporation as Sr. Engineering Manager. He has held a Visiting Scientist position at Massachusetts General Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital for Children, and was Visiting Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA. He was the recipient of the Joel and Spira teaching Award, the NSF Faculty Early Career Award and the IEEE EMBS Technical Achievement award. In 2018, he received the Pritzker Distinguished Lectureship Award from BMES.

His research group is interested in developing new diagnostic technologies for precision and personalized medicine, and in 3D bio-fabrication of cellular systems. Using bionanotechnology, BioMEMS, and lab on chip, he is working at the interface of biology and engineering from the molecular to the tissue scale, and aiming to make an impact on grand challenges in infectious disease, sepsis, cancer, and others. He has authored or co-authored over 280 journal papers and has been granted 50 patents. He is fellow of IEEE, BMES, AIMBE, APS, IAMBE, NAI, RSC, and AAAS. Technology from his group has been licensed to BioVitesse, and Daktari, and he is co-founder of recent startups Prenosis and LabSimply.

Who Should Attend?

Early stage researchers, students, relevant personnel from the research Laboratories and industries.

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/P7hm1Z9SLAzAJxJQ9

For more information please contact:

Ms. Khazima Muazim
Program Manager COMSTECH
khazima@comstech.org

Ms. Maham Yamin
Program Officer COMSTECH
maham.yamin@comstech.org

Flyer: Link

Date: Wednesday, 4^th October 2023
Time: 03:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)

Online participation only.

Speaker/Convener
Prof. Dr. Adnan Memic

Professor of Nanotechnology, King Abdulaziz University, KSA
Adjunct Professor, University of Connecticut, USA

Abstract of the webinar:

Engineered materials that integrate advances in nanotechnology, chemistry and biology could soon change the way that medicines are made, delivered, and function. The Memic research group aims to develop novel therapies using a combination of nanoparticles, biomaterials and cutting edge fabrication approaches (i.e. electrospinning, 3D printing, cryopolymerization). Specifically, my lab combines natural and synthetic polymers with nanoparticles in order to tune the properties of materials that can then determine their function. The first part of his presentation will discuss how in situ 3D printing can be used to reconstruct damaged bones. Next, he will discuss how using shape-memory injectable biomaterials and their nanocomposites have been used to modulate immune cell behavior. Finally, time permitting he will discuss developing novel drug delivery platforms.

Speakers Profile:

Over the past 10 years, Dr. Memic have been directly involved in establishing a cutting-edge nanotechnology research center with over 25 million dollars of new infrastructure, starting from scratch to become a world recognized entity. His research is multidisciplinary spanning biomaterials, polymer chemistry, and nanotechnology resulting in over 100 published articles, >20 provisional/granted US patents. He joined King Abdulaziz University in 2010, recently being academically promoted to Full Professor of Nanotechnology. He previously held various positions at premier institutions including a Lecturer on Medicine at Harvard Medical School, a Teaching Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and currently an Adjunct Professor at University of Connecticut. He is recognized as a Highly Cited Researcher for two consecutive years given to only 0.1% percent (1 in 1000) of scientists in the world and as a Top 2% Scientist by Elsevier/Stanford analytics. He also served as a consultant to Venture Capital firms providing technical and scientific advice that specialized in early-stage investments in healthcare and life science-based companies. Finally, he is also a Founding member of a start–up medical device company.

Who Should Attend?

Early stage researchers, students, relevant personnel from the research Laboratories and industries.

Registration Form: Click Here

For more information please contact:

Ms. Khazima Muazim
Program Manager COMSTECH
khazima@comstech.org

Ms. Maham Yamin
Program Officer COMSTECH
maham.yamin@comstech.org

November 27 – 30, 2023

Dedicated to the Memory of Prof. Dr. Dr. Wolfgang Voelter
(Hilal-e-Pakistan, Sitara-e-Pakistan) University of Tübingen, Germany
Organized by
DR. PANJWANI CENTER FOR MOLECULAR MEDICINE AND DRUG RESEARCH

1-Abstract Format (MMDR-8): Click Here
2-Brief CV Form (MMDR-8): Click Here
3-Registration Form (Foreign): Click Here
4-Registration Form (National): Click Here

Jointly Organized by OIC – COMSTECH and Pakistan Vacuum Society , in collaboration with International Union for vacuum science technique and applications (IUVSTA)

Date: October 24 – 26, 2023
Venue: COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad
Deadline For Physical Participations: 30 September, 2023

Introduction:

The training is Jointly Organized by OIC – COMSTECH and Pakistan Vacuum Society , in collaboration with International Union for vacuum science technique and applications (IUVSTA)

The 03-day training course aims to provide young scientists, researchers and technologists an opportunity to interact with eminent and specialists working in the field of Vacuum & Surface Science to explore the latest trends and modern applications in this area. It will also help to develop expertise in the allied fields of Vacuum Technology like thin film, material characterization & nanotechnology to introduce modern concepts in surface science industry.

Key Contents:

• Vacuum Applications in Applied Surface Science
• Surface Science of Catalysis, electrocatalysis and Photocatalysis
• Thin Film Deposition Methods
• Plasma Surface Treatments
• Surface Engineering and Functionalization
• Functional Surfaces and Coatings
• Surface Science Applied to Energy Conversion and storage
• Surface Nanotechnology and Devices
• Advances in Surface Characterization tools
• Semiconductors – Surface and Interface

About the Resource Persons:

World leading scientists / researchers from the field of surface science

Registration Process:

Step 1: For Physical Participation please register at: Close

Step 2: For Virtual participation please register at: Click Here

Step 3: Selected candidates will be notified through email; hence, applicants are required to check their emails.

Technical Focal Person:
Dr. Javaid Ahsan Bhatti,
President, Pakistan vacuum Society.

Workshop Coordinators          
Muhammad Haris Akram
Program Manager, COMSTECH
Tel: +92-51-9220681-3
Fax: +92-51-9205264, +92-51-9220265
Email: haris@comstech.org

Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer, COMSTECH, Islamabad.
Email: Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org
Phone: +92 51 9220681

Registration: Click here
Last Date of Registration: 23 August, 2023

Date: 14 September, 2023
Time 14:30 – 16:00 (PKT)

Profile of the Speaker

Abstract:
The intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Human Computing, and Affective Computing has emerged as a promising area of research, revolutionizing the way machines interact with humans. AI, with its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and make intelligent decisions, has facilitated the development of systems that understand and respond to human emotions. Affective Computing, on the other hand, focuses on enabling machines to recognize, interpret, and respond appropriately to human emotions. By integrating these technologies with Human Computing, which emphasizes human-centered approaches to designing and evaluating interactive systems, we can create more empathetic, intuitive, and user-friendly interfaces.

One of the key applications of this intersection lies in healthcare, where AI, Human Computing, and Affective Computing collaborate to improve patient care. Intelligent systems can monitor patients’ emotional states, detect signs of distress or discomfort, and provide personalized support and interventions. Such systems can also enhance mental health support, providing empathetic virtual companions or therapy tools.

However, several challenges hinder the widespread adoption of this interdisciplinary field. Ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and biases in emotion recognition algorithms pose significant challenges. Ensuring transparency, fairness, and accountability in these systems is crucial to building trust among users and society as a whole.

Looking towards the future, there are numerous exciting directions for further exploration. The combination of AI, Human Computing, and Affective Computing can pave the way for emotionally intelligent virtual assistants, immersive virtual reality experiences, and intelligent tutoring systems that adapt to students’ emotional states. Additionally, advances in neuroimaging and wearable technologies offer the potential to capture physiological responses and brain activity to enhance emotion recognition and personalize interactions further.

The webinar will cover the convergence of AI, Human Computing, and Affective Computing that holds immense potential for transforming various domains, including healthcare, education, entertainment, and more. The talk will discuss the issues researchers must address and the challenges surrounding ethics, privacy, and bias. The aim is to emphasize how to embrace these challenges and explore new frontiers to create AI systems that genuinely understand and respond to human emotions, resulting in more meaningful and empathetic human-machine interactions.

For Virtual participation please register at:, https://forms.gle/WdXpg8yvzXU3copr6

E-certificates will be issued upon complete participation.

Coordinator:
Muhammad Haseeb Ahmad
Program Officer
COMSTECH, Islamabad.
Email: Haseeb.ahmad@comstech.org
Phone: +92 51 9220681

Dates: 7-9 August 2023

The Ministerial Standing Committee for Scientific and Technological Cooperation (COMSTECH) of the Organization of Islamic Organization (OIC) in collaboration with World Health Organization (WHO) and Ministry of National Health Services, Regulation and Coordination (M/oNHSR&C), will organize a Training workshop for National Assessors on the Implementation of Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Framework on 7th-9th August 2023 at COMSTECH Secretariat.

The Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Framework (PSFHF) is aimed at enhancing the visibility and implementation of patient safety practices in healthcare facilities. The initiative provides a framework through which hospitals can deliver safer patient care. The framework comprises a comprehensive set of standards and an assessment methodology that specifically target patient safety. The standards were initially developed in 2011 by a group of international experts and are based on research and best practice. The standards were revised to the second edition in 2016 and recently been revised to the third edition in 2020. The focus of PSFHF is twofold, one to assess hospitals from a patient safety perspective and two to build the capacity of staff in patient safety.

Training methodology
The workshop will foster an interactive approach for development of the local capacity on the use of the PSFHF assessment and improvement initiative. It will provide guidance on “know how” and “know do” for the implementation of PSFHF standards. The approach for implementation will be provided through a field visit to one selected hospital to illustrate the methodology for the identification of gaps and priorities. Then participants will be guided on how to use the findings for institutionalization of a patient safety system based on the WHO patient safety tool kit.

Training objectives:
• To provide updates on WHO global and regional patient Safety programs
• To introduce the Patient Safety Friendly Hospital Framework (PSFHF) and the associated tools for assessing and improving PS
• To train national assessors from each sector based on the PSFHF assessment manual.
• To develop a road map for action to be followed by all participating hospitals on the short/mid-terms.
Expected outcomes:
• Update knowledge of Patient Safety focal points on the WHO patient safety interventions.
• PSFHF components recognized by participating team from each health department and healthcare commissions, and hospitals.
• Identify Patient Safety Gaps at the hospital level based on the PSFHF standards.
• Guidance on how to successfully perform a self-assessment by reference to the PSFHI standards’ requirements.
• Road map for the institutionalization of a patient safety program at the hospital level based on the WHO PSFHF.

Target Participants:
• Hospital Managers, Healthcare Commissions, focal person healthcare department

COMSTECH Webinar
Co-Combustion of Coal and Biomass for Clean Electricity Generation

Date: Friday, 11^th August 2023
Time: 03:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)
Online participation only.

Flyer attached,

Speaker/Convener
Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir
Chairperson
Punjab Higher Education Commission

Speakers Profile:

Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir did his BSC Chemical Engineering and MSC Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Engineering & technology, University of the Punjab, Lahore. He won gold medal by securing first position in MSc Chemical Engineering. He has 10 years of industrial experience on his credit. He obtained outstanding performance award from Punjab University in 2005. He did his PhD from University of Leeds, UK. His area of research in Biomass-Coal Co-Combustion and his research work has been published in international and national journals of high impact factor.

He worked as controller Examination, University of the Punjab from 2014 to 2018. He served as Director Centre for Coal Technology, University of the Punjab form 2011-2018. He secured funding of around Rs.2.0 billion in the projects and launched many academic programs including those that were not being taught in the country. He transformed centre for coal technology into Institute of Energy and Environmental Engineering in Punjab University. He has been member of panel of experts of Punjab Power Development Board for the Establishment of Coal Fired Power Plants in Punjab. He was first one who challenged the Thar coral underground coal gasification project of Dr. Samar Mubarakmand and suggested open pit mining in that coal field. Now, according to his proposed technology coal is being mined at Thar and power generation is going on.

Prof. Dr. Shahid Munir served as a Vice Chancellor of the University of Jhang from 2018-2022. Keeping in view his outstanding performance, he was appointed as Vice Chancellor on additional charge at, University of Mianwali from July 2020 to February 2021 to initiate that university from scratch that he did in similar fashion in Jhang. Moreover, he assumed the additional charge of the post of Vice Chancellor, University of Sargodha from 18 June 2021 to 17 September 2021. He worked hard to de-politicise the University of Sargodha and implemented meritocracy. He has been member of more than 100 statutory bodies/committees of different organizations keeping in view his visionary and dynamic leadership. He is appointed as Chairperson Punjab Higher Education commission in June 2022.

Who Should Attend?

Early stage researchers, students, relevant personnel from the research Laboratories and industries.

Abstract of the webinar Attached

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/wb6KhQ9zsZbKdNGw8

For more information please contact:

Khazima Muazim
Program Manager COMSTECH
khazima@comstech.org

Maham Yamin
Program Officer COMSTECH
maham.yamin@comstech.org

COMSTECH Webinar
Transforming Newcastle Disease Virus: From Menace to Potential Therapeutic Ally

Date: Wednesday, 9^th August 2023
Time: 03:00 pm (Pakistan Standard Time)
Online participation only.

Flyer: Click Here

Speaker/Convener

Professor Khatijah Mohd Yusoff
PhD, DSc (honoris causa) (La Trobe)
FASc, FTWAS, FIAS, FMSA
National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia

Speakers Profile:

Dr. Khatijah has extensive engagement and network with industry, professional bodies and academies. She is currently the Vice-President of Islamic World Academy of Sciences (IAS), member of the Council of Scientific Advisors of International Centre for Genetic engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), a Senior Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM), Fellow of the Malaysian Scientific Association (MSA) and Fellow and former Vice-President of The World Academy of Sciences for the advancement of science in developing countries (TWAS). Her 5-year stint as the Deputy Secretary-General of Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (2008-2013) gave her an opportunity to promote science through national policies and development of a strong framework in managing Science in the country. She believes strongly on the need for translating science into tangible benefits to people around the world; she previously sat on the Board of Trustees of the International Livestock Research Institute, SEAMEO-BIOTROP Governing Board, Advisory Board for La Trobe Asia, and the Technical Advisory Panel for COMSATS as well as several agencies in Malaysia. She is currently the Chairman of the National Committee on Research Integrity. Her research focuses on the molecular biology of Newcastle disease virus, a poultry virus which kills cancer cells without affecting the normal cells.  Through reverse genetics, she is currently developing an NDV-based cancer vaccine for the treatment of colorectal and bladder cancers.  Her research and innovation have received great acclaim nationally and internationally such as the prestigious Merdeka Award (2015) and UNESCO’s Carlos Finlay Prize for microbiology (2005).  She was recognised as one of the top 20 most influential women in science in the Islamic World. She was also featured in a 2021 special edition of DC Comics “Wonder Women: Wonderful Women of The World.   Her special message to young scientists looking to impact their field is to “never give up and value the importance of teamwork”.

Who Should Attend?

Early stage researchers, students, relevant personnel from the research Laboratories and industries.

Abstract of the webinar:

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) is an important avian paramyxovirus that naturally infects a wide range of bird species, including domestic poultry. The resulting Newcastle disease (ND) poses a substantial threat to the poultry industry, leading to considerable economic losses. While mass vaccination using modified live vaccines has been successful in controlling the virus, sporadic outbreaks still occur due to the emergence of new genotypes among circulating NDV strains that differ from the vaccine strains.  In a ground breaking development, reverse genetics techniques have been employed to create a remarkably stable avirulent vaccine against these circulating NDV strains. By selectively replacing specific genes of the circulating virus with genes from the vaccine strain, researchers have achieved an effective means of combating the disease. Furthermore, NDV has demonstrated a remarkable ability to selectively target and destroy human cancer cells, making it a promising candidate for oncovirotherapy. The virus exhibits a unique characteristic of selectively lysing cancer cells with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity, leaving normal cells unharmed. Exploiting this property, NDV can be harnessed for cancer treatment by engineering it to carry immunomodulatory genes. These genes would attract immune cells to attack the cancer cells, thereby enhancing the efficiency of oncolysis—the destruction of cancer cells using viruses. The use of reverse genetics to manipulate the NDV genome in the development of the aforementioned vaccines represents an exciting and challenging avenue for cancer therapy. It opens up new possibilities for leveraging the virus’s potential to combat cancer while minimizing harm to healthy cells. This innovative approach holds great promise for advancing cancer treatment and offers hope for improved therapeutic outcomes.

Registration Form: https://forms.gle/5mtLgByxHUM9jEFx8

For more information please contact:

Khazima Muazim
Program Manager COMSTECH
khazima@comstech.org

Maham Yamin
Program Officer COMSTECH
maham.yamin@comstech.org

Flyer: Click Here
PROGRAM SCHEDULE: 2nd – 4th August 2023
DAY & Time: Wednesday, 10:00 am – 01:00 pm (PST)
FOR REGISTRATION USE THE GIVEN LINK: Click Here
VENUE:COMSTECH Secretariat, Islamabad