Research Interests

​Being a biophysicist by training, I investigate fundamental processes of life at the molecular level. I employ methods like x-ray diffraction or single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to obtain structures of biological macromolecules. Moreover, I investigate interactions of these molecules by biophysical and biochemical methods to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms for basic cellular processes such as signal transduction, protein trafficking, and enzyme regulation, etc. Besides, I produce engineered molecules with predicted properties to further corroborate my findings. The research has an impact in basic sciences as well as drug research and development.

Education Profile

• ​Doctorate in Biophysics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, 2013
• Diplom (MS) in Biophysics, Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, 2008

Professional Profile

• ​Since Jul 2017: Postdoctoral Fellow, KAUST, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia
• 2008 – 2017: Academic Staff in Research and Teaching, Charité – University of Medicine, Berlin, Germany
• 2007 – 2008: Administrative Assistant, Center of Infection and Immunity, Berlin, Germany

Awards and Distinctions

• Fellowship by Collaborative Research Center CRC 958 “scaffolding of membrane – from molecular mechanisms to cellular functions”, Berlin (01/2016)
• Fellowship (persona ligatum) by CRC 1078 “protonation dynamics to protein functions” to continue research on phytochromes”, Berlin (04/2015)
• Fellowship by CRC 1078 ““protonation dynamics to protein functions”, Berlin (08/2013)
• Fellowship within ERC Advanced Grant TUDOR to Prof. Klaus-Peter Hofmann, Berlin (01/2011)
• Fellowship by CRC 449 “structure and function of membrane receptors”, Berlin (06/2008)
• Stipend by Graduate College GRAKO-1121 at the Center for Infection Biology and Immunity, Berlin (05/2008)
• Scholarship by Goethe Institutes Karachi/Bremen (06/2001)
• Stipend and Medal, Education Office, Pakistan (08/1995)