Mr. Nisar Ali | Mycology Research | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Nisar Ali | Mycology Research – MPhil Research Scholar at Quaid e Azam University in Islamabad, Pakistan

Nisar Ali is an emerging research scholar in the field of mycology, currently enrolled as an MPhil student in the Department of Plant Sciences at Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. With a strong academic foundation in botany and a focused research interest in fungal taxonomy, ecology, and phylogenetics, Nisar has quickly gained recognition for his scientific contributions. His primary area of exploration is the macrofungal diversity of Pakistan, particularly in the ecologically rich region of Swat. Through field-based research combined with molecular analysis, Nisar aims to document and understand fungal biodiversity in underexplored terrains. His work contributes valuable insights to both national and international mycological studies, emphasizing the need to protect and explore local fungal ecosystems.

Academic Profile

ORCID

🎓 Education

Nisar began his academic journey with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Botany, completed in 2023. During his undergraduate studies, he developed a strong interest in fungal diversity, which laid the groundwork for his research career. His BS thesis on the macrofungi of Gabin Jabba, Swat, earned him early academic recognition. Following his graduation, he enrolled in the MPhil program in Plant Sciences at Quaid-i-Azam University (2024–2026), where he continues to pursue specialized training and advanced research in fungal taxonomy and molecular systematics.

🔬 Experience

With over six years of intensive field experience, Nisar has developed deep expertise in macrofungi sampling, ecological data collection, and species identification. His fieldwork across various forested regions of Swat and adjacent districts has enabled him to catalog a wide range of fungal species. Nisar’s experience extends to laboratory analysis, where he employs both morphological techniques and molecular sequencing to classify fungi and analyze their phylogenetic relationships. His MPhil thesis focuses on morpho-molecular studies of macrofungi in district Swat, aiming to establish accurate phylogenetic lineages that can support broader biodiversity documentation efforts.

🌱 Research Interests

Nisar Ali’s primary research interests include fungal taxonomy, fungal systematics, fungal ecology, and the study of macrofungal diversity. He is particularly drawn to combining classical morphological techniques with molecular approaches such as DNA barcoding to gain deeper insights into fungal classification. His research contributes not only to national biodiversity databases but also offers new records and species descriptions that benefit the global scientific community. By investigating phylogenetic associations, Nisar aims to uncover evolutionary relationships among fungi and shed light on their ecological roles in forest ecosystems.

🏅 Award

During his undergraduate studies, Nisar was honored with a Research Excellence Award for his field-based investigation of macrofungi in Gabin Jabba, Swat. This early accolade served as a catalyst for his academic and research ambitions. The recognition also reflected his potential as a dedicated scientist committed to biodiversity exploration in Pakistan’s mountainous regions.

📚 Publications

📘 Singerocybe alboinfundibuliformis from Pakistan: First national record based on morphological and molecular data – Plant Biosystems (Springer), 2024 – Cited by 5 articles

🍄 Macrofungal Diversity in Gabin Jabba: A Preliminary Checklist – Pakistan Journal of Botany, 2023 – Cited by 3 articles

🧫 Comparative Morphological Analysis of Basidiomycetes from Mixed Forests – Mycologia Iranica, 2024 – Cited by 2 articles

🧪 ITS-based Molecular Characterization of Wood-Decaying Fungi in Swat – Journal of Fungal Research, 2025 – Cited by 1 article

🌳 Checklist of Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Associated with Pine Species – Asian Journal of Mycology, 2025 – Cited by 1 article

🔍 Phylogenetic Insight into Russulaceae of Northern Pakistan – International Journal of Plant and Fungal Science, 2024 – Cited by 1 article

🌿 First report of Tricholoma species from Upper Dir – Ecological Mycology Letters, 2025 – New Submission under Review

🧾 Conclusion

Nisar Ali stands out as a dedicated and impactful early-career researcher in the field of mycology. His integration of field expertise, taxonomic knowledge, and molecular tools reflects both depth and innovation in his work. By reporting first-time fungal records and engaging in rigorous phylogenetic studies, he has made meaningful contributions to the scientific understanding of fungal biodiversity in Pakistan. With continued scholarly output and expansion into interdisciplinary collaborations, Nisar holds significant promise as a future leader in fungal systematics and biodiversity conservation. His nomination for the Best Researcher Award is well-justified based on his originality, scientific value, and commitment to advancing knowledge in plant and fungal sciences.