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Last Updated: September 2025 |
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ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
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Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of Earth Sciences |
Jul 2025 - Present |
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University of Toronto, Canada |
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Project: Astrobiology, Geomicrobiology under supervision of Dr. Barbara Sherwood Lollar |
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Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Biology |
Sep 2020 - May 2025 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Thesis: “Deciphering geochemical controls on microbial communities in wetland ponds of the Prairie Pothole Region” under supervision of Dr. Britt Hall |
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Student Research Assistant, Department of Biology |
Sep 2024 - Dec 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Project: Microbial Ecology under supervision of Dr. Bruno Soares |
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Junior Research Fellow, Department of Genetics |
Jun 2016 - Feb 2017 |
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University of Delhi, India |
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Project: “Host-mediated Pathogen Gene Silencing - ‘A Strategy for Engineering Resistance Against Necrotrophic Pathogen’” |
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Master’s Degree Project, Department of Genetics |
Jan 2016 - May 2016 |
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University of Delhi, India |
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Project: “Developing a Construct for Silencing Chitin synthase Gene in Sclerotinia sclerotinum via Host-mediated Pathogen Gene Silencing" |
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Summer Student Intern, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research |
Jun 2015 - July 2015 |
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University of Delhi, India |
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Project: “Knocking Down the Ino80 Gene by Generating hINO80-Specific siRNA” |
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PhD in Biology |
Sep 2020 - May 2025 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Master of Science in Genetics |
Jun 2014 - May 2016 |
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University of Delhi, India |
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Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science |
Jun 2011 - Nov 2013 |
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The Global Open University, India |
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Candidate for Bachelor of Medicine (completed 6 of 12 semesters) |
Mar 2008 - Mar 2011 |
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University of Herat, Afghanistan |
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TEACHING EXPERIENCE
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University Teaching Fellow: Biol 457 (Environmental Microbiology) |
Jan 2025 - Apr 2025 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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University Teaching Fellow: Biol 457 (Environmental Microbiology) |
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biol 288 (Cell Biology) |
Jan 2024 - Apr 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biol 266 (Plant Physiology) |
Sep 2023 - Dec 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biol 205 (Introductory Genetics) and Biol 288 (Cell Biology) |
Jan 2023 - Apr 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Teaching Assistant 2: Biol 266 (Plant Physiology), Biol 305 (Genetics), and Biol 222 (Microbiology for Health Professionals) |
Sep 2022 - Dec 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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PhD Graduate Teaching Assistant: Biol 205 (Introductory Genetics) and Biol 288 (Cell Biology) |
Jan 2022 - Apr 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Teaching Assistant 2: Biol 100 (Biology 1) and Biol 223 (Microbes and Society) |
Sep 2021 - Dec 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Teaching Assistant 2: Biol 288 (Cell Biology) |
Jan 2021 - Apr 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Teaching Assistant 2: Biol 100 (Biology 1) |
Sep 2020 - Dec 2020 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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SCHOLARSHIPS, AWARDS, AND GRANTS
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Apr 2025 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Registration Grant |
Jun 2024 |
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Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meeting, Long Beach, USA |
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Saskatchewan Innovation Opportunity Scholarship (SIOS)/Global Education Scholarship (GES) |
May 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Scholarly Award |
May 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Travel Award |
May 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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University of Regina Graduate Student Association Travel Award |
May 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Teaching Assistant of the Year for the Department of Biology |
May 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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1st Place, Paper Presentation, Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research INSPIRE Research Symposium |
Nov 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Saskatchewan Innovation and Excellence Graduate Scholarship |
Oct 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Canadian Society of Microbiologists (CSM) ISME-8 Travel Award |
Jun 2023 |
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Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Doctoral Graduate Teaching Assistant Award |
Jan 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Canadian Society of Microbiologists Student Travel Award |
Jun 2022 |
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3rd Place, 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition |
Mar 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Doctoral Graduate Teaching Assistant Award |
Jan 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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University of Regina Graduate Scholarship |
Jan 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Saskatchewan Innovation and Excellence Graduate Scholarship |
Oct 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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2nd Place, 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition |
Mar 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Paul Riegert Graduate Award in Biology |
Jan 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research Women in STEM Entrance Scholarship |
Jan 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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University of Regina Graduate Scholarship |
Jan 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
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Zahir, Z., Shah, M., Goodin, J., Logie, T., Lloyd, M. K., Ingalls, M., Macalady, J. L., Freeman, K. H., & International Geobiology Course 2023 & 2024. Poster Presentation, “Deciphering the role of biotic and abiotic factors on the formation of travertine in Central Italy” |
Dec 2024 |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2024, Washington D.C., USA |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Poster Presentation, “Metagenomic Insights into the Microbial Communities and Methylmercury Production in Prairie Wetland Ponds?” |
Dec 2024 |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2024, Washington D.C., USA |
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Zahir Z. Discussion Panel, “Biodiversity Beyond the Classroom: Students’ Perspectives from COP16” |
Oct 2024 |
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16th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, Cali, Colombia |
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Zahir, Z. Oral Presentation, “From a War-Torn Country to a Microbiology Lab in Canada: Advocating for Institutional Empathy” |
Aug 2024 |
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Ecological Society of America (ESA) Annual Meeting, Long Beach, USA |
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Velandia, J. Robbins, L.J. Echeverría-Galindo, P. Bonilla-Flores, M. Kistanov, J. Schmidt, J. Zahir, Z. Button, M. Vélez, M.I. Oral Presentation, “A Climate Reconstruction for the Past 5,000 Years in Southern Saskatchewan based on Ostracod Stable Isotopes and Trace Element Analyses” |
Aug 2024 |
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Canadian Quaternary Association and Canadian Geomorphology Research Group Biennial Meeting 2024 |
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Schmidt, J. Zahir, Z. Hall, B.D. Robbins, L.J. Oral Presentation, “Exploring the Impact of Sulphur Cycling on Mercury Methylation in the Prairie Pothole Region Wetland Complex; An Interdisciplinary Approach” |
Jun 2024 |
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Canadian Water Resources Association (CWRA) 2024, Saskatoon, Canada |
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Zahir, Z. Hall, B.D. Oral Presentation, “Do Environmental Factors Impact the Mercury Methylator Microbes in Prairie Wetland Ponds?” |
Jun 2024 |
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Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2024, Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
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Hall, B.D. Zahir, Z. Schmidt, J. Khan, F. Oral Presentation, “Inching Closer to Identifying the Biogeochemical Drivers of Mercury Transformations in Prairie Wetland Ponds.” |
Jun 2024 |
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Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2024, Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
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Jun 2024 |
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Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2024, Madison, Wisconsin, USA |
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Zahir, Z. Khan, F. Hall, B.D. Poster Presentation, “The Mystery of High Methylmercury Concentration in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
May 2024 |
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Turtle Island Conference, University of Regina, Canada |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Oral Presentation, “Are Microbial Communities Different in Prairie Wetland Ponds with Elevated Methylmercury Concentrations?” |
Dec 2023 |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2023, San Francisco, USA |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Poster Presentation, “Unraveling the Mystery of Methylmercury Production in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Jun 2023 |
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72nd Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, Dalhousie University, Canada |
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Zahir, Z. and Dietz, H. Oral Presentation, “From Sage on the Stage to Guide on the Side: Decolonizing Microbiology Education through Indigenous Storytelling” |
Jun 2023 |
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7th Annual Forum on Microbiology Undergraduate Education (FOME), Dalhousie University, Canada |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Oral Presentation, “Identifying the Microbial Communities that Methylated Mercury in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Aug 2022 |
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15th International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP), Cape Town, South Africa (Virtual) |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Poster Presentation, “Prairie Wetland Ponds with Distinct Biogeochemistry Show Capacity to Methylate Mercury” |
Jun 2022 |
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71st Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Microbiologists, University of Guelph, Canada |
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Schmidt, J. Zahir, Z. Bishop, B.D. Hall, B.D. Robbins, L.J. Poster Presentation, “Trends in Aqueous Mercury Speciation and Bioavailability in Prairie Pothole Region Wetlands of Saskatchewan” |
May 2022 |
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Annual Meeting of the Geological Association of Canada, Mineralogical Association of Canada, The International Association of Hydrogeologists - Canadian National Committee, and the Canadian Society of Petroleum Geologists, Halifax, Canada |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Poster Presentation, “Identifying the Microbial Communities that Methylated Mercury in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Feb 2022 |
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9th Native Prairie Restoration/Reclamation Workshop, Saskatchewan, Canada (Virtual) |
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Zahir, Z. and Hall, B.D. Oral Presentation, “Identifying the Microbial Communities that Methylated Mercury in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Feb 2021 |
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Pacific Ecology and Evolution Conference (PEEC), Virtual |
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INVITED EVENTS, WORKSHOPS, AND SEMINARS
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Invited Speaker, Mersorcium - Microbial Hg Cycling Consortium, “Microbial Communities and Methylmercury Dynamics in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Dec 2024 |
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Virtual |
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Invited Speaker, Living Data Project Hackathon, “Introduction to St. Denis National Wildlife Area” |
Oct 2024 |
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Canadian Institute of Ecology and Evolution hosted by University of Regina, Canada |
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Invited Speaker, Department of Biology Seminar Series, “How Microbial Life and Earth Co-Evolved: Key Takeaways from the International Geobiology Course” |
Sep 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Invited Speaker, Institute of Microbial Systems and Society, “What I Learnt from International Geobiology Course” |
Aug 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Invited Speaker, BIOL 803 Scientific Research Skills for Biological Sciences in Graduate Students |
Nov 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Invited Speaker, Mersorcium - Microbial Hg Cycling Consortium, “Exploring the Fourth Corner of Mercury Methylation in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
May 2023 |
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Virtual |
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Guest Lecturer, BIOL 457 Environmental Microbiology |
Mar 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Presentation: “Zooming In or Zooming Out: Exploring the Complexities of Nature” |
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Working Group Participant, LDP – Zoop Working Group |
Feb 2023 |
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University of British Columbia (Vancouver), Canada |
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Project: “Linking Species Distributions and Traits to Understand Ecosystem Functioning” |
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Working Group Participant, BIOS2 + CIEE/Living Data Project |
Jan 2023 |
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McGill University, Canada |
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Project: “Assessing the Potential for Climate-Driven Range Shifts Through Multiple Landscape Features Across the Canada US Border” |
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Invited Speaker, Experimental Lake Area Seminar Series, “Genomic Approach to Explore Mercury Cycling Microorganisms in Prairie Wetland Ponds” |
Nov 2022 |
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Winnipeg, Canada (Virtual) |
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Working Group Participant, Mercury Synthesis Workshop, Integrating Research and Policy |
Aug 2022 |
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Cape Town, South Africa (Virtual) |
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Apr 2022 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Invited Speaker, Institute of Microbial Systems and Society, “Microbial Communities in Prairie Pothole Region” |
Sep 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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SOCIETY MEMBERSHIPS
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Junior Fellow, Massey College, University of Toronto |
2025 - Present |
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DUTC NASA Open Science Ambassador |
2024 - Present |
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Ecological Society of America |
2024 - Present |
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Canadian Society of Microbiologists |
2021 - Present |
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Canadian Geophysical Union |
2022 - Present |
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American Geophysical Union |
2022 - Present |
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Biology Undergraduate and Graduate Society, University of Regina |
2020 - 2025 |
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South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), Poetry |
2012 - 2018 |
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ACADEMIC SERVICE
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Observer, United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16 / CP-MOP 11 / NP-MOP 5) |
Oct 2024 |
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Cali, Colombia |
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Science Mentor (Grades 1-12), Treaty 4 Gathering |
Sep 2024 |
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Treaty 4 Territory, Fort Qu’Apelle, Canada |
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All Girls STEM Mentor, Educating Youth in Engineering and Science (EYES) |
Aug 2024 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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Peer Reviewer (2 Publications), Canadian Journal of Microbiology |
May 2024 |
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Regina Regional Science Fair Judge |
Apr 2024 |
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Regina, Canada |
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Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Education Student Council Member |
Sep 2023 - Sep 2024 |
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Saskatchewan Ministry of Advanced Education, Regina, Canada |
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Science Mentor (Grades 1-12), Treaty 4 Gathering |
Sep 2023 |
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Treaty 4 Territory, Fort Qu’Apelle, Canada |
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Outstanding Student Presentation Awards Reviewer |
Dec 2023 |
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American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2023, San Francisco, USA |
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All Girls STEM Mentor, Educating Youth in Engineering and Science (EYES) |
Jul 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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International Peer Advisor, Global Learning Centre |
Feb 2022 - Feb 2023 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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STEM Mentor, Educating Youth in Engineering and Science (EYES) |
Jul 2021 |
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University of Regina, Canada |
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NON-ACADEMIC WORK EXPERIENCE
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Medical Assistant |
Aug 2018 - Jul 2020 |
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Office of Dr. M.M. Abed, Gynecologist, Regina, Canada |
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Educational Partnership Manager |
Jun 2017 - Apr 2018 |
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Learnix Edutech, New Delhi, India |
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Ophthalmic Assistant |
Jan 2013 - Dec 2013 |
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Office of Dr. S. Dhawan, Ophthalmologist, New Delhi, India |
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MEDIA AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH
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Nov 2024 |
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- https://esa.org/esablog/2024/11/07/cop16-dispatch-week-2-exploring-the-hill-of-the-three-crosses/ |
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University of Regina News, “2024 TA of the Year Award“ |
Sep 2024 |
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https://www.uregina.ca/science/biology/news/ta-award-2024.html |
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Penn State News, “Grad students hone field, lab geobiology skills in global course“ |
Aug 2024 |
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Apr 2024 |
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/cjtr-purchase-access-communications-1.7177130 |
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SaskToday.ca, “Bright minds gather to advise Ministry of Advanced Education” |
Nov 2023 |
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Regina Leader-Post, “CJTR radio in dire straits under C18, pandemic hangover, manager says” |
Oct 2023 |
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Discourse Research Magazine, “Some of our best and brightest minds meet Regina’s business community.” |
May 2023 |
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https://www.discoursemagazine.ca/global-connections/2023/05/26/ |
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Degrees Magazine, “Home, family and war” |
May 2022 |
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https://www.degreesmagazine.ca/home-family-and-war/2022/05/30/ |
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Regina Public Library, “In Conversation - Zohra Zahir and Nelofer Pazira” |
Oct 2021 |
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980 CJME, “Afghan student at U of R praying for safety of five siblings, parents stuck in the country” |
Sep 2021 |
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CBC Saskatchewan, “Sask. Afghan citizens host rally showing support for their peers” |
Aug 2021 |
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/afghan-citizens-host-rally-calling-govt-action-1.6157095 |
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Global News Canada, “Regina residents rally to raise awareness about crisis in Afghanistan” |
Aug 2021 |
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https://globalnews.ca/news/8150889/regina-afghanistan-taliban-rally/ |
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CTV News Regina, “U of R research team studying ways to remove sulfate from dugouts” |
Jul 2021 |
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Regina Public Library, “CJTR Presents - Aisha Jamal and Zohra Zahir in Conversation” |
Apr 2021 |
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Regina Leader-Post, “'The radio is always on': CJTR weathering storm of COVID-19” |
Oct 2020 |
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https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/the-radio-is-always-on-cjtr-storm-of-covid-19 |
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