Contact Information

• smajeed@unca.edu
• 350-4570
• 136 Zeis Hall

Office Hours

• Tuesday 10:00 am - 11:00 am
• Thursday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
• Note:

About Me

I graduated as a Pharmacist from The University of Faisalabad, in Pakistan, where I came from originally. Then, after gaining valuable experience working as a Quality Control Pharmacist in a pharmaceutical industry, I completed a Master’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Agriculture, Pakistan. Afterward, I joined the Narcotics Department at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA) as a Forensic Scientist, where I analyzed more than 1,600 cases over a span of nearly three years and testified at court trials as an expert witness. Later, as a Ph.D. graduate student at Texas Tech University, I worked in Dr. Elka R. Georgieva’s research group where my dissertation topic was focused on conformations of the HIV-1 Vpu protein in solution and in lipid membranes with insights from a multi-technique approach. I can summarize myself with three important achievements. The first and most important is my family: they are my main source of stability and motivation. Second,  the skills acquired during years of formal education and my roles as an Industrial Pharmacist, Forensic Scientist, and Researcher: have prepared me to excel in the STEM field. Third, my pursuit of the dream, which I developed during my first college years, to become a successful researcher and a committed teacher. When I am not in the classroom or research lab, I like to spend time with my family, read fiction, and travel around to explore nature.

Education

• Ph.D. in Chemistry - Texas Tech University
• M.Phil. in Biochemistry - The University of Agriculture, Pakistan
• Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) - The University of Faisalabad, Pakistan

Teaching Interests

My teaching interests include bringing active learning methods and learning technologies to Bioanalytical Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry, and Drug Chemistry. My teaching philosophy emphasizes engagement, inclusivity, and real-world applications, fostering a stimulating learning environment. As a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UNC-Asheville, I aim to teach chemistry as a way of transferring my knowledge to my students and helping them grasp the content of chemistry by emphasizing its practical applications in general, and particularly in forensic science in particular.

Research Interests

My research goals at UNC-Asheville are focused on providing a valuable research platform for students and helping them advance in the field of chemistry through interdisciplinary collaborations, innovative approaches, development of novel analytical methods, and integration of forensic science and bioanalytical research and education. The students will employ different presumptive and confirmatory testing methods in addition to the application of sophisticated analytical instruments for the analysis and reporting of specific unknown substances, biological materials, or specific drugs. More details will be posted soon!

Publications

See Google Scholar for the list of publications.