Dr. Hamna Rafiq | Neuropharmacology | Best Researcher Award
Research Officer, Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
Dr. Hamna Rafiq is a Research Officer at the Pharmaceutical Research Centre, Pakistan Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (PCSIR), Karachi. She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Karachi, focusing on neuroendocrine and behavioral abnormalities in oxidative stress models. Her expertise lies in neuropharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, and cannabinoid research. She has contributed significantly to the development of cannabis-derived products, pharmaceutical raw material testing, and method validation per ICH and USP guidelines. Dr. Rafiq has extensive experience in HPLC, GC-MS, and ISO 17025 accreditation processes. Previously, she worked at Aga Khan University, researching natural antidepressants like chamomile and saffron. She has authored multiple high-impact research papers on neuropharmacology, cannabinoids, and neurodegenerative diseases. An active trainer, she has conducted hands-on workshops on advanced analytical techniques. Her research continues to explore therapeutic interventions for neuropathy, dementia, and neuroinflammation using pharmacological and computational approaches.
Profile
🎓 Education
Dr. Hamna Rafiq completed her PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Karachi (2015-2022). Her doctoral research explored the long-term effects of quercetin on behavioral and neuroendocrine abnormalities caused by oxidative stress in rats. She earned her MSc in Biochemistry (2012-2014) from the same institution, investigating the effects of a high-fat diet on stress response in a chronic mild stress rat model of depression. Throughout her academic journey, she gained expertise in pharmacological interventions, biochemical analysis, and neurobehavioral assessments. She has received extensive training in molecular techniques, protein purification, and tissue culture, enhancing her research capabilities. Additionally, she has attended specialized courses in analytical techniques such as HPLC and GC-MS. Dr. Rafiq’s educational background provides a strong foundation for her research in neuropharmacology, pharmaceutical development, and cannabinoid-based therapeutics, making significant contributions to biomedical sciences and drug discovery.
💼 Experience
Dr. Hamna Rafiq has been a Research Officer at PCSIR, Karachi, since January 2022, where she specializes in cannabinoid extraction, pharmaceutical raw material testing, and method validation. She developed an animal model for chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain to evaluate cannabinoid effects on dementia and psychological symptoms. She is proficient in HPLC, GC-MS, and ISO 17025 accreditation. From 2019 to 2021, she worked as a Research Associate at Aga Khan University, conducting clinical trials on chamomile and saffron for depression treatment. Her responsibilities included patient follow-ups, biochemical analyses, and documentation. Previously, she interned at PCSIR and ICCBS, gaining hands-on experience in quality control, analytical techniques, and neuronal cell culture. She also serves as a trainer for analytical instruments and has organized multiple workshops. Dr. Rafiq’s expertise spans neuropharmacology, drug discovery, and biomedical research, contributing to advancements in therapeutic interventions for neurological and psychological disorders.
🏆 Awards & Honors
Dr. Hamna Rafiq has received multiple accolades for her contributions to neuropharmacology and pharmaceutical research. She has been recognized for her work in cannabis-derived therapeutics and neurodegenerative disease studies. In 2024, she received advanced training certifications in Lab Management Systems (LMS) and Internal Audits from the Pakistan National Accreditation Council. She has also been honored for organizing hands-on workshops on HPLC and GC-MS, training professionals and students in analytical methodologies. Her research publications in high-impact journals have earned significant recognition in the scientific community. She has contributed to ISO 17025 accreditation efforts for cannabinoid analysis, further strengthening laboratory quality assurance. Additionally, her pioneering research on saffron and chamomile as natural antidepressants has been widely acknowledged. With multiple peer-reviewed publications and active participation in international research collaborations, Dr. Rafiq continues to gain recognition as an emerging leader in neuropharmacology and biomedical sciences.
🔬 Research Focus
Dr. Hamna Rafiq’s research focuses on neuropharmacology, cannabinoid therapeutics, and pharmaceutical analysis. She investigates the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis-derived compounds, particularly in treating neuropathy, dementia, and neurodegenerative disorders. Her work includes developing extraction methods for cannabinoids, optimizing analytical techniques for CBD and THC quantification, and ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical standards. She has also explored the effects of natural antidepressants like chamomile and saffron in clinical settings. Dr. Rafiq specializes in animal models for chemotherapy-induced pain and oxidative stress-related neurological disorders. Her expertise extends to method validation and impurity profiling in pharmaceutical raw materials, ensuring drug safety and efficacy. Through her computational studies, she identifies novel cannabinoid-based treatments targeting inflammatory pathways. Her interdisciplinary research integrates pharmacology, biochemistry, and analytical chemistry, contributing to drug discovery and therapeutic advancements in neuroscience and mental health.
Conclusion
Dr. Rafiq’s extensive research experience, publication record, and dedication to training make her a strong candidate for the Best Researcher Award. Addressing the identified areas for improvement could further bolster her candidacy and contribute to her professional growth.
Publication
M Farhan, H Rafi, H Rafiq (2018) – Behavioral evidence of neuropsychopharmacological effect of imipramine in animal model of unpredictable stress induced depression – 34 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, R Khan, F Ahmad, J Anis, M Farhan (2019) – Neuroethological study of ALCL3 and chronic forced swim stress induced memory and cognitive deficits in albino rats – 33 citations
H Rafiq, M Farhan, H Rafi, S Rehman, M Arshad, S Shakeel (2022) – Inhibition of drug induced Parkinsonism by chronic supplementation of quercetin in haloperidol-treated wistars – 32 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, M Farhan (2021) – Inhibition of NMDA receptors by agmatine is followed by GABA/glutamate balance in benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome – 32 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, M Farhan (2024) – Pharmacological profile of agmatine: An in-depth overview – 30 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, M Farhan (2021) – Antagonization of monoamine reuptake transporters by agmatine improves anxiolytic and locomotive behaviors commensurate with fluoxetine and methylphenidate – 30 citations
M Farhan, H Rafi, H Rafiq (2015) – Dapoxetine treatment leads to attenuation of chronic unpredictable stress induced behavioral deficits in rats model of depression – 30 citations
H Rafi, F Ahmad, J Anis, R Khan, H Rafiq, M Farhan (2020) – Comparative effectiveness of agmatine and choline treatment in rats with cognitive impairment induced by AlCl3 and forced swim stress – 29 citations
M Farhan, H Rafiq, H Rafi, S Rehman, M Arshad (2022) – Quercetin impact against psychological disturbances induced by fat rich diet – 27 citations
M Farhan, H Rafiq, H Rafi, R Ali, S Jahan (2019) – Neuroprotective role of quercetin against neurotoxicity induced by lead acetate in male rats – 27 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, I Hanif, R Rizwan, M Farhan (2018) – Chronic agmatine treatment modulates behavioral deficits induced by chronic unpredictable stress in wistar rats – 27 citations
H Rafi, H Rafiq, M Farhan (2023) – Agmatine alleviates brain oxidative stress induced by sodium azide – 26 citations
M Farhan, H Rafi, H Rafiq, F Siddiqui, R Khan, J Anis (2019) – Study of mental illness in rat model of sodium azide induced oxidative stress – 24 citations
S Ahmad, SB Ahmed, A Khan, M Wasim, S Tabassum, S Haider, F Ahmed, … (2024) – Natural remedies for Alzheimer’s disease: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials – Metabolic brain disease 38 (1), 17-44
