Dr. Mohd Shabir

Academic Biography

Dr. Mohd Shabir is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Botany, University of Ladakh, Leh Campus. He obtained his Ph.D. in Botany from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University, Srinagar (Uttarakhand), with research carried out at the CSIR–National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Lucknow. His doctoral research focused on the monographic, molecular, and phytochemical studies of the genus Gentiana from the Western Himalaya, integrating classical taxonomy with molecular phylogenetics and phytochemical analyses. Dr. Shabir has over five years of teaching and research experience in higher education, with expertise in plant taxonomy, systematics, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, medicinal plants and Himalayan flora. His research primarily focuses on the floristic exploration and documentation of the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, ethnopharmacological knowledge, and the phytochemical and nutraceutical potential of high-altitude plant species. He has extensive experience in herbarium techniques, plant identification, molecular systematics, and chromatographic analyses, including HPTLC-based quantification of bioactive compounds. He has made significant contributions to plant taxonomy through the discovery and description of several new plant taxa and has reported new floristic records for the flora of India. His research has been published in reputed national and international peer-reviewed journals, contributing substantially to the understanding of Himalayan plant diversity. His scientific contributions have earned recognition within the botanical community and have strengthened the floristic knowledge of the Indian Trans-Himalaya. At the University of Ladakh, Dr. Shabir actively contributes to curriculum development, academic planning, and research promotion. He serves as the Secretary of the Board of Studies in Botany and has played a key role in designing postgraduate curricula aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. His current research interests include plant taxonomy and biosystematics, molecular phylogeny. Through his teaching, research, and academic leadership, Dr. Shabir continues to promote scientific excellence and biodiversity conservation while mentoring students and young researchers in the field of plant sciences.