Aqsa Arif, a Pakistani PhD student from the LEJ Nanotechnology Centre at the HEJ Research Institute of Chemistry, University of Karachi, received the poster prize in the Good Health and Wellbeing (SDG 3) category at the 5th Commonwealth Chemistry Posters – Building Networks to Address the Goals virtual event. Competing with scholars from 28 countries, her research was acknowledged for its substantial contribution to global sustainability and development goals.
The virtual event, held in September 2024, was organized by Commonwealth Chemistry and the Federation of Chemical Sciences Societies, UK. According to the International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, Arif is completing her PhD under the guidance of Dr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman. This year, over 180 abstracts from 28 countries were selected for presentation at the event.
Arif’s research, titled “Prodrugs of Methylprednisolone Nanoparticles: Effective Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, and Analgesic Agents,” won in the SDG 3 category, earning her a £200 cash prize and a certificate of recognition. Her study focused on creating nanoparticles for delivering Methylprednisolone prodrugs, a medication approved by the FDA to treat conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammation.
Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen, Director of ICCBS at the University of Karachi, congratulated Aqsa Arif and her supervisor, Dr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, on this accomplishment, emphasizing the rising international impact of Pakistani students in science. Prof. Dr. Khalid Mehmood Iraqi, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi, and Prof. Dr. Atta-ur-Rahman, Professor Emeritus and former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, also extended their congratulations to the PhD scholar.
