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Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary

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Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
TI SI HI
Born (1959-09-11) 11 September 1959 (age 65)
Karachi, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Alma materUniversity of Karachi
Cornell University
Known forNatural product chemistry
Organic chemistry
AwardsMustafa 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
FieldsOrganic Chemistry
InstitutionsInternational 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 scientist in the field of organic chemistry from Pakistan. He is known for his research in various areas relating to natural product chemistry and more than 800 research publications. In 2015, he was recognised as the second most productive scientist in Pakistan.[1]

In recognition of his contributions to Sino-Pak research collaborations, Hunan University of Medicine (HNUM) in China named its newly opened research center after him.[2][3]

Education and career

He graduated with a BSc from Karachi University, later pursued his MSc in organic chemistry, and then got his PhD in organic chemistry H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry located at Karachi University. His thesis was titled "The Isolation and Structural Studies on Some Medicinal Plants of Pakistan, Buxus papillosa, Catharanthus roseus, and Cissampelos pareira."[4] He did his post-doctoral studies at Cornell University, United States.[5]

Visiting faculty

Choudhary has been a visiting professor at these universities:

Permanent faculty

Choudhary has worked at these institutions:[9][10]

  • Professor at H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry & Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine & Drug Research
  • Professor Emeritus at the University of Karachi
  • Former Director International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences[11]

Prizes, honours and awards

Choudhary has been awarded the following recognitions for his contributions in the field of organic chemistry:

Fellowships

Publications

His major publications are as follows:

  • New Cholinesterase-Inhibiting Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca saligna.[16]
  • New α-Glucosidase Inhibitors from a Mongolian Medicinal Plant Ferula mongolica.[17]
  • Antibacterial Steroidal Alkaloids from Sarcococca saligna.[18]
  • Zoanthaminone, a new triterpenoidal alkaloid from marine Zoanthid.[19]
  • Five New Steroidal Alkaloids from Buxus papillosa, Some Relationships Between Structures and Specific Rotations.[20]
  • Solving Problems with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.[21]
  • Macroxine – A Novel Oxindole Alkaloid from Alstonia macrophylla.[22]
  • New Cholinesterase Inhibiting Bisbenzlisoquinoline Alkaloids from Cocculus pendulus.[23]
  • Buxapapilinine – A Novel Alkaloid from the Leaves of Buxus papillosa.[24]
  • Alkaloids from Rhazya stricta.[25]
  • Phenyl Polypropanoids from Lindelofia stylosa.[26]
  • Structure Elucidation and Antibacterial Activity of New Fungal Metabolites of Sclareol.[27]
  • Hydroxylation of the Sesterterpene Leucosceptrine by the Fungus Rhizopus stolonifer.[28]

Associated Controversies

Dr. Iqbal Choudhary has faced allegations of ethical violations during his tenure as director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological sciences. Critics, including members of the HEJ Action Committee of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) and University of Karachi teacher, accused him of:

Self-Appointment Practices Choudhary allegedly extended his directorship repeatedly over 20 years through internal notices, bypassing standard institutional term limits. Critics claim these reappointments lacked transparency.[29]

Post-Retirement Interference After retirement, Choudhary was accused of undue interference in institutional affairs, including influencing administrative. [30]

From HEC Ex-Director Former HEC Chairman Prof. Dr. Tariq Banuri publicly criticized Chaudhary for overseeing poor and unreliable audits during his ICCBS directorship, citing governance failures. An external auditor’s report allegedly identified manipulation of institutional data to justify appointments and funding.[31] after this statement surprisingly Govt-led resolution strips HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri of administrative authority.[32][33]

In a letter to the caretaker CM, they alleged that former ICCBS director was involved in ‘blatant violations of the university rules and regulations and financial corruption’ during his 21-year-long stint on the campus. The two-page letter attached with a 78-page “documentary evidence” is submitted by accounts officers, lab assistants and an office assistant associated with the ICCBS that comprises of the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry and Dr Panjwani Centre for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research. The employees alleged that the former ICCBS director managed to serve his pre-retirement tenure (2002-2019) and post-retirement tenure (2019-2023) without getting approval of his appointments to the top post from the university’s syndicate, a mandatory requirement for appointments to the posts on grade 17 and above under the KU code.[34]

Some members of the scientific community have questioned the validity of Choudhary's claimed output of 1,266 research papers during his tenure as ICCBS director, suggesting such productivity would be highly unusual for someone with significant administrative duties. These concerns have primarily been expressed privately rather than through formal channels.[35]

Dr Choudhary denies charges, claims he enjoys ‘global credibility’[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ Waqas, Mohammad (12 May 2015). "PCST declares KU professor most productive scientist of Pakistan". Pakistan Times (newspaper). Archived from the original on 8 May 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Chinese University names it's research centre after Pak scientist". Associated Press Of Pakistan. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  3. ^ "Chinese University names research centre after Pakistani scientist". Dawn. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  4. ^ "International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences – University Of Karachi". iccs.edu. Archived from the original on 29 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Fellows Of The Academy, Pakistan Academy of Sciences". Pakistan Academy of Sciences website. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2012. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
  6. ^ "Renowned Pakistani scientist to visit URI Sept. 20-24 – College of Pharmacy". University of Rhode Island website. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  7. ^ Seminar on Natural Products by Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary
  8. ^ "Prof Zahed receives prominent scholar (Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary)". King Abdulaziz University website. 21 November 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  9. ^ ICCBS KU dats education
  10. ^ "Donation to PM's Fund for Affectees of Earthquake in Balochistan". Archived from the original on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  11. ^ "Experts warn government of famine threat in Pakistan". Dawn (newspaper). 23 May 2011. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  12. ^ "Pakistani medicinal chemist awarded Mustafa Prize for 2021". Samaa TV News website. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  13. ^ "HEC Distinguished National Professors Booklet" (PDF). Higher Education Commission of Pakistan website. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 February 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  14. ^ a b "Prof.Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary profile". Islamic World Academy of Sciences website. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  15. ^ "ECO Excellence Award – 2006". Economic Cooperation Organization website. 2006. Archived from the original on 12 September 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  16. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Zaheer-ul-Haq; Feroz, F.; Khalid, A.; Nawaz, S. A.; Khan, M. R.; Choudhary, M. I. Helv. Chim. Acta 2004, 87, 439.
  17. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Choudhary, M. I.; Baig, I.; Alam, N.; Hassan, S.; Onduognii, P.; Bunderya, M.; Oyun, Z. Helv. Chim. Acta 2001, 84, 2409.
  18. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Anjum, S.; Farooq, A.; Khan, M. R.; Perveen, Z.; Choudhary, M. I. J. Nat. Prod. 1998, 61, 202.
  19. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Alvi, K. A.; Abbas, S. A.; Choudhary, M. I.; Clardy, J. Tetrahedron Lett. 1989, 30, 6825.
  20. ^ Choudhary, M. I.; Atta-ur-Rahman; Freyer, A. J.; Shamma, M. Tetrahedron 1986, 42(20), 5747.
  21. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Choudhary, M. I., Academic Press : New York, 1996.
  22. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Nighat, F.; Nelofar, A.; Zaman, K.; Choudhary, M. I.; Silva, K. T. D. Tetrahedron 1991, 47 (18/19), 3129.
  23. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Atia-Tul-Wahab; Nawaz, S. A.; Choudhary, M. I. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2004, 52(7), 802.
  24. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Iqbal, Z.; Choudhary, M. I.; Fatima, T. Heterocycles 1990, 31 (3), 493.
  25. ^ Atta-ur-Rahman; Zaman, K.; Muzaffar, A.; Perveen, S.; Habib-ur-Rehman; Choudhary, M. I.; Qureshi, M. M.; Pervin, A. Phytochemistry 1991, 30 (4), 1285.
  26. ^ Choudhary, M. I.; Begum, A.; Abbaskhan, A.; Aijaz, S.; Shafique-ur-Rehman; Atta-ur-Rahman Chem. Pharm. Bull. 2005, 53, 1469.
  27. ^ Choudhary, M. I.; Siddiqui, Z. A.; Hussain, S.; Atta-ur-Rahman Chemistry & Biodiversity 2006, 3, 54.
  28. ^ Choudhary, M. I.; Ranjit, R.; Atta-ur-Rahman; Devkota, K. P.; Musharraf, S. G.; Shrestha, T. M. Phytochemistry 2006, 67, 439.
  29. ^ "UoK Faces Controversy Over ICCBS Director Appointment". 28 September 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  30. ^ "Unwarranted Interference In ICCBS Administration Sparks Outcry". 12 October 2024. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  31. ^ "HEC Chairman Rejected Iqbal Choudhury's Allegations, Says, ICCBS Hiding Behind Federal Education Ministry To Avoid Financial & Academic Audit | Academia Magazine". 8 March 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  32. ^ Haq, Riazul (8 February 2022). "Govt-led resolution strips HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri of administrative authority". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  33. ^ Rizvi, Safdar (26 February 2022). "KU's HEJ shields itself from HEC's probe". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  34. ^ Ilyas, Faiza (11 December 2023). "Role of former ICCBS chief under the spotlight". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
  35. ^ Ilyas, Faiza (11 December 2023). "Role of former ICCBS chief under the spotlight". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 29 July 2025.
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