Abstract
We belong to God and to him we shall return! It is with deep sorrow to share the news that Prof. Dr. Shahina Fayyaz (April 4, 1959 –March 20, 2020), eminent Nematologist, Meritorious Professor of University of Karachi is no longer with us. Her death is a great loss to the scientific community of Pakistan as well as International community of Nematologists. Meritorious Prof. Dr. Shahina Fayyaz was a leading scientist and scholar in the field of Nematology from Pakistan. She had a long and brilliant service in teaching and research at University of Karachi. She served the National Nematological Research Centre for long 38 years with utmost dedication and enthusiasm. She played a key role in building and strengthening the Centre’s role in international collaborations and promoting international scientific engagement, particularly at the regional level. Dr. Shahina had an admirable academic record. She completed her M. Sc. in Plant Pathology and obtained the degree in 1980 from Department of Botany, University of Karachi. Dr. Shahina joined National Nematological Research Centre and started her career as a Research fellow in 1981. She served as "Research Officer” in the PL-480 project in 1982; appointed as Scientific Officer in 1988, completed her Ph. D. under the mentorship of Dr. M.A. Maqbool from University of Karachi in 1989. She was upgraded to Senior Scientific Officer in 2000, elevated to in-charge in 2002, appointed Director of NNRC in 2003, became Professor in 2009, Meritorious Professor in 2013 and retired on April, 2019 after long, professional and meaningful service. She represented Pakistan in various meetings, conferences seminars and symposia in the field of Plant Nematology and received national and International Trainings in Nematology by visiting various research institutions. She organized many conferences and workshops and earned many national and international awards and certificates in the field of research and development. She was also awarded with Dr. Z.A. Hashmi Research and Development Gold Medal in 2013. Dr. Shahina completed 20 research projects as Principal Investigator and 13 as Co- Principal Investigator sponsored by national and international agencies. She ran 10 projects funded by University of Karachi whereas 10 projects were sponsored by national and international agencies such as International Foundation for Science (IFS), Pakistan Agricultural Research Council-Agricultural Linkages Program (PARC-ALP), Higher Education Commission (HEC), World Wide Fund for Nature, Pakistan (WWF-P), Different programs of Pakistan Science Foundation-that are Natural Sciences Linkage Program (PSF-NSLP), Pakistan Science Foundation-International Linkage Program. She served Pakistan Journal of Nematology as Managing Editor and General Secretary / Treasurer of Pakistan Society of Nematologists. Her competent supervision produced 13 Ph.D. and 4 M. Phil scholars. Moreover, various BS project theses were produced while several post graduate scholars were enrolled for their Ph. D degrees under her co-supervision. One of the major achievements of Dr. Shahina is the development of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biopesticides against insect pests. She initiated the research on EPNs for the first time in Pakistan. Her dedicated research won an US International and seventeen National Patents. She published around 200 research papers in national and internationally reputed scientific journals besides numerous books, booklets and proceedings. Under her Directorship NNRC was graded to ISO Certified Centre for the compliance of its Diagnostic Services and Educational Program. Her outstanding performance is distinguished by a continued commitment to excellence in science, research and academic leadership. May Allah Almighty bless the departed soul through His infinite mercy with eternal peace and give courage and fortitude to her family, friends and the scientific community to bear this irreparable loss. Ameen.
