Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

MSc, PhD, FLS, FBS, FNASc, FNESA, FISEB, FISPM, FAEB, FNIE

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal, former Professor and Head of Botany Department, Dean of Sciences, Chairman of Admission Committee, and Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi (India), specializes in Herbal Medicine and Environmental Botany

About Dr. Muhammad Iqbal

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal is a distinguished botanist, researcher, academic administrator, and international thought leader in the fields of Herbal Medicine and Environmental Botany. With an illustrious career spanning several decades, Dr. Iqbal has held some of the most prestigious academic and administrative positions in Indian higher education, including serving as the Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi — a role he fulfilled with exceptional vision and impact.

He previously served as Professor and Head of the Department of Botany, Dean of Sciences, and Chairman of the Admission Committee at Jamia Hamdard. His scholarly pursuits and contributions have established him as a global authority in plant sciences, with a focus on sustainable environmental practices and herbal therapeutic research.

Academic Contributions & Research Impact

Dr. Iqbal’s academic contributions are vast and widely respected. He has authored over:

  • 300 research papers published in peer-reviewed national and international journals
  • 88 book chapters and technical reports
  • 10 books and
  • 75 popular science articles

His work has garnered over 13,500 citations, with a current h-index of 64, underscoring the depth, quality, and enduring influence of his research. He has supervised the doctoral and post-doctoral work of 45 scholars, many of whom have gone on to become respected scientists and educators globally.

International Engagements & Collaborations

Dr. Iqbal has contributed significantly to the global scientific community. He has served at:

  • Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (India)
  • King Saud University, Riyadh (Saudi Arabia)

He has also worked as a Visiting Scientist in South Korea and Poland under the bilateral Scientists’ Exchange Program of the Government of India.

He has travelled extensively, delivering keynote lectures, invited talks, and chairing sessions at scientific conferences across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. His international presence has fostered cross-cultural scientific collaborations and advanced global scientific dialogue.

Editorial Work & Publishing Leadership

Dr. Iqbal has served on the Editorial Boards of over 15 research journals, and has acted as Editor for seven international journals based in India, Egypt, Saudi Arbia, and Poland.Presently, he serves as the Series Editor for the prestigious ‘Plant Biology, Sustainability, and Climate Change‘ book series published by Elsevier, a global scientific publishing leader.

Fellowships, Leadership Roles & Awards

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal is a Fellow of eight renowned scientific bodies, including:

  • The Linnean Society of London (FLS)

  • The National Academy of Sciences, India (FNASc)

  • Several other prestigious Indian and international academies

He has held several influential leadership roles:

  • President, Academy of Environmental Biology (2006—2009)

  • Vice-President, Indian Botanical Society (2003—2004)

  • Vice-President, International Society of Environmental Botanists (2013—2018)

His research contributions have earned him over a dozen awards, including:

  • HL Chakravarty Award — Indian Science Congress Association (1986)

  • Young Scientist Award — MAAS & TWAS (1988)

  • World Environment Congress Award — IEE & UNEP (1997)

  • Best Scientist Award — National Environmental Science Academy (2001)

  • V. Puri Medal Award — Indian Botanical Society (2002)

  • RC Dalela Oration Award — Academy of Environmental Biology (2008)

  • Excellent Researcher Award — King Saud University, Saudi Arabia (2010)

  • Vigyan Gaurav Award — Uttar Pradesh Council of Science & Technology (2011)

  • Bharat Jyoti Award — India International Friendship Society (2012)

  • Lifetime Achievement Award — Scifax Information & Analytics, India (2020)

National & International Advisory Roles

Dr. Iqbal has served on advisory panels and expert committees for numerous national and international organizations, including:

  • Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India

  • Department of Science & Technology, Government of India

  • University Grants Commission (UGC), New Delhi

  • Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)

  • Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM)

  • Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)

  • State Public Service Commissions of Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu

  • National Council for Educational Research & Training (NCERT)

  • Croatian Science Foundation, Opatija (Croatia)

  • Swiss National Science Foundation, Bern (Switzerland)

  • National Research, Development & Innovation Office, Budapest (Hungary)

  • Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)

He was also appointed Chairperson of NAAC Peer Teams, assessing higher education institutions across Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh.

In 2006, he was nominated by former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to serve on the Prize Committee for the Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, India’s most prestigious award for environmental conservation.

Legacy & Continuing Impact

Dr. Muhammad Iqbal’s lifelong dedication to scientific excellence, environmental stewardship, and higher education leadership has left an indelible mark on the academic and research landscape of India and beyond. His work continues to inspire a generation of young scientists, policy-makers, and educators committed to building a sustainable and scientifically enriched future.

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