Lecturer
Ms Asma Afreen
Dr. Asma Afreen joined AIOU as a Lecturer in 2007 at Department of Nutritional Sciences & Environmental Design. Being a nutritionist, has more than 16 years of experience in teaching and research.
She has supervised MS and MSc students of Community Health & Nutrition and Public Nutrition. She has also been engaged with teaching at MSc / MS / PhD level.
Her areas of interest included Food and Nutrition, Community Nutrition, clinical Nutrition, Food Microbiology; Food Safety, Nanoemulsions and product development.
051-9575535; Ext: 5535
asma.afreen@aiou.edu.pk

Education

Ph.D. QUALIFICATIONS

  1. Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ph. D Food and Nutrition (2017-2023)

THESIS “Formulation of fortified food with newly devised biopolymer-based Cholecalciferol Nanoemulsions and its efficacy on Albino Rats”

Experience

  1. Working as Lecturer in Department of Nutritional Sciences and Environmental Design, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan since October 2007 till date.
  2. Worked as Lecturer in F.G. Margalla College for women F 7/4, Islamabad. (2004-2007)
  3. Involved in teaching, research, official and administrative work and looking after different research projects.

Publications

  1. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, (2023)            Applied microbiology and biotechnology       5.2/W  ISSN 1432-0614    Optimization and cholesterol-lowering activity of exopolysaccharide from Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum NCCP 962
  2. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, (2023)          RSC Advances  4.03/W            ISSN 2046-2069           Optimization, fractional characterization, and antioxidant potential of exopolysaccharides from Levilactobacillus brevis NCCP 963 isolated from “kanji”
  3. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, (2023)            THE Journal of Pakistan Medical Association, X, 0030-9982            Effect of nutritional status on wound healing after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
  4. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, (2023) Determination of the elemental composition of Menthaarvenis, Trigonellafoenum-graecum L., and Cinnamomumtamala using instrumental neutron activation analysis technique. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry
  5. AsmaAfreen, Zaheer Ahmed, (2023) Bioscientific Review (BSR)      Y, 2663-4198,2663-4201         Effects of Nutrition Education Program on Lactating Mothers in Relation to Infant Feeding Practices
  6. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, Hajra Ahmad, Nauman Khalid(2019).Estimates and burden of foodborne pathogens in RTE beverages in relation to vending practices.Food Quality and Safety, 3 (2), 107–115. ISSN 2399-1402
  7. Ayesha Nasir, Mir. M. Hassan Bullo, Zaheer Ahmed, AyshaImtiaz, EeshaYaqoob, MahparaJadoon, Hajra Ahmed, AsmaAfreen&SanabilYaqoob(2019). Nutrigenomics: Epigenetics and cancer prevention: A comprehensive review. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 1-13.1549-7852
  8. Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, Hajra Ahmad, Ayesha Nasir, Muhammad Farooq Mustafa, Mahpara Safdar. Contemporary approaches on head & neck cancer and radiation - A comprehensive review. Submitted in Current Treatment Options in Oncology. CTOO-D-19-00086.
  9. Sana Sultan, Zaheer Ahmed, Asma Afreen. Analgesic effect of ginger and peppermint on the adolescent girls with primary dysmenorrhea (CHM-2019-0127) submitted inJournal of Chinese Herbal Medicines.
  10. Bilal Awan, AsmaAfreen(2019). Role of iris albicans in management of type-2 diabetes. Submitted in Journal of Phytotherapy Research.
  11. Fatima Majeed, FoziaZahur Malik, Zaheer Ahmed, AsmaAfreen, Muhammad Naveed Afzal, Nauman Khalid, Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy. Ginseng phytochemicals as therapeutics in oncology: Recent perspectives.100:52–63.2018, IF:3.743.0753-3322
  12. Muhammad Abdul Shakoor, Imtiaz Ahmad Khan, Hajira Ahmed, MahparaSafdar, Zaheer Ahmed, Asma Afreen. (2018). Prevalence of Worm Infection in Relation to Body Mass Index in Children of 5-10 Yrs of Age in Tehsil Narowal, Pakistan. Universal Journal of Public Health. 6(1): 7-13. 2331-8945
  13. Zaheer Ahmed, AsmaAfreen, Muhammad Umair Hassan, Hajra Ahmad, NomanaAnjum, Muhammad Waseem. Exposure of Food Safety Knowledge and Inadequate Practices. Among Food Vendors at Rawalpindi; the Fourth Largest City of Pakistan. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research (2017) Accepted. IF: 1.676 2333-1240
  14. H Ahmad, R Khan, A Afreen Comparative analysis of mental stress and related risk factors among newly diagnosed Type-2 Diabetic patients, Transylvanian review (2017)Vol No- XXV. No, 13. IF: 0.03.
  15. Afreen, Asma, Zaheer Ahmed, Shazia Afreen, and Muhammad Farooq Mustafa. Traditional Street vended foods: A potential reservoir for Foodborne pathogens Transylvanian Review 5 (2016).  IF: 0.03
  16. Asif Ahmad, Nazish Arshad, Zaheer Ahmed, Muhammad Shahbaz Bhatti, Tahir Zahoor, NomanaAnjum, Hajra Ahmad, Asma Afreen "Perspective of surface-active agents in baking Industry: An overview". (2014). Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition Vol:54 pp:208-224 IF: 5.492
  17. Shazia Harris, FirdousJahan, AsmaAfreen, Hajra Ahmed and Zaheer Ahmed. To Determine the Risk Factors and Prevalence of Osteoporosis among Adult Pakistani Population Residing in Karachi Using Quantitative Ultrasound Technique. Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education. (2014), 4:4.
  18. Zaheer Ahmed, Yanping Wang, Asif Ahmad, Salman Tariq Khan, MehrunNisa, Hajra Ahmad, Asma Afreen. Kefir and Health: A Contemporary Perspective. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 53 (2013) 422-434. IF: 5.492
  19. Farooq Ahmad Adeel, Mukhtar Ahmad Awan, NomanaAnjum, Hajra Ahmed, Zaheer Ahmed, Asma Afreen(2012). Dietary practices among adolescents: Do boys eat better than girls? Nurture, Research Journal of Pakistan Home Economics Association. Volume 6; Issue, 1 (HEC approved Journal).
  20. PerveenLiaqat, NazishZulfiqar, Hajra Ahmed &Asma Afreen “Emerging Dietary Patterns from Daily Food Intake Patterns of Young Children under Five” in Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. (2010). 9(5), 504-511.1680-5194
  21. Article published on “Intestinal Disorders and their Prevention” in SahanUjala Magazine of AIOU (2012).

Project, Research Interests

Book Chapter

Asma Afreen, Zaheer Ahmed, NomanaAnjum. “Novel Nutraceuticals” In Unconventional, Therapeutic, and Probiotic Foods (Accepted by Elsevier Publisher 2017).

 

RESEARCH PROJECTS

  1. Completed Research Project as Co-PI sponsored by HEC on “Microbial quality and safety of street vended foods sold in different public areas of Rawalpindi”. (Grant No: PM-IPFP/HRD/HEC/2011/353).
  2. Worked as PhD scholar in HEC awarded project entitled “Study of efficacy of fortified yogurt with newly devised polysaccharide-based vitamin D Nanoemulsions in human subjects” [Dr. Zaheer Ahmed (PI)].

PROGRAM COORDINATION

MS COMMUNITY HELATH AND NUTRITION

About

The Allama Iqbal Open University was established in May, 1974, with the main objectives of providing educational opportunities to masses and to those who cannot leave their homes and jobs. During all these past years, the University has more than fulfilled this promise.