JMI Professor wins Visitor’s Award for resolving mystery of blood clotting

Prof. Ashraf received the award for his pioneering research on resolving the mystery of blood clotting on exposure to hypoxia at high altitudes.

Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) professor Mohd. Zahid Ashraf who is also Head of the Department of Biotechnology has received the Visitor’s Award 2020 by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind during Visitor’s Conference 2022 at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prof. Ashraf received the award for his pioneering research on resolving the mystery of blood clotting on exposure to hypoxia at high altitudes. He received a citation and Rs.2,50,000/- as award money.

Prof. Ashraf was conferred this award under the Biological Sciences category in which maximum entries (29) were received.

His work has significantly contributed towards developing strategy for an early diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis at extremely challenging environmental conditions at high altitudes. The commendation has been made keeping in view Prof. Ashraf’s immense contribution in the area of hypoxia and their crucial role in the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Prof Najma Akhtar, Vice Chancellor, JMI who has recently been conferred Padma Shri said it was a very proud moment for me personally to see one of the teacher of my university receiving such a high level award from the Hon’ble President. She congratulated Prof. Ashraf for the award and mentioned that it is recognition for the research accomplishments by the university. She stressed that many decorations have come to JMI for the first time in its glorious history. "Prof. Ashraf’s achievements will motivate other faculty members towards pursuit of excellence in research along with academics." she said.

The Vice Chancellor emphasised that the university is committed towards the Government of India’s mission to increase science education, research and promote STEM.

Prof. Ashraf is an elected Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore. He is a member of the distinguished Guha Research Council.

Prof. Ashraf is also the recipient of ICMR’s Basanti Devi Amir Chand and DBT’s National Biosciences Award for his seminal work on high altitude related thrombosis in the Indian population. The outcome of his research has given insights to our understanding of blood clot formation on ascension to mountains, sports, pilgrimage and soldier’s working under hostile environments.

It is worth mentioning that this is the second time a JMI Professor has been conferred with the Visitor’s Award. Earlier in 2015, Cosmology and Astrophysics Research Group headed by Prof. M. Sami of Centre for Theoretical Physics, JMI also received the Visitor’s Award for path breaking research carried out in the field of Contemporary Issues in Astrophysics & Cosmology.

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