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Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary
Pakistani chemist From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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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]
 | This article may incorporate text from a large language model. (July 2025) |
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]
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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]
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Prizes, honours and awards
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Choudhary has been awarded the following recognitions for his contributions in the field of organic chemistry:
- Mustafa Prize in 2021 for discovery of fascinating molecules with therapeutic applications.[12]
- Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2007.[5]
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan in 2001.[5]
- Tamgha-i-Imtiaz (Medal of Excellence) Award by the Government of Pakistan in 1998.[5]
- Distinguished National Professor of Higher Education Commission of Pakistan in 2004.[5][13]
- COMSTECH Award in Chemistry in 2010
- TWAS Award (Third World Academy of Sciences Award), Young Scientist Award, Italy in 1994.[5][14]
- Khwarizmi International Award by the President of Iran in 2006.[5]
- Economic Cooperation Organization Award by the President of Azerbaijan in 2006.[5][15]
- Senior Fulbright Award, United States, 1997-1998.[5]
- Senior Fulbright Research Fellow, University of California in 1998.[5]
- Gold medal of Pakistan Academy of Sciences in 1993.[5]
Fellowships
- Fellow of Islamic World Academy of Sciences elected in 2002.[14]
- Fellow of Pakistan Academy of Sciences elected in 2003.[5]
- Fellow of Third World Academy of Sciences in 2003.[5]
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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
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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, which comprises 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]
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References
External links
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