Azka Asif
Role: PhD student at the Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences at King’s College London and a Commonwealth Scholar
Subject area: Faculty of life sciences and Department of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Nationality: Pakistani
I have been working as a postgraduate researcher at King’s College London Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences for more than two years. I am studying bacterial genes and their role in infections. I started my research journey when I was enrolled in my undergraduate course. This helped me develop my interest and skills as a researcher in biological sciences quite early on.
Education
GCSEs (or equivalent): High school in Pakistan with subjects Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Biology, English and Social Science
A-level (or equivalent): Pre-Medical with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English
Degrees
• BSci (Honors) Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
• MPhil Biological sciences (specialisation in Molecular Microbiology), University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Detail about Azka
![Research](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/migration/be-inspired/poster-icons-big2_1623954183386_x4-28.jpg)
My research
I study bacterial genes and their role in virulence regulation, the mechanisms by which pathogens, such as bacteria or viruses, control their ability to cause disease in a host. Bacterial genes are stretches of DNA that possess regulatory sequences to control severity of a disease and normal physiology. Thus, understanding of the host-microbe interactions is useful in disease management and prognosis.
![My inspiration](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/migration/be-inspired/poster-icons-big3_1623954465101_x4-28.jpg)
My inspiration
While I was growing up, the suffering of people at the hands of poor disease management systems made me realise the need to improve the quality of life.
![My STEM hero](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/migration/be-inspired/poster-icons-big4_1624275733685_x4-23.jpg)
Who is your STEM hero?
Rosalind Franklin was a chemist, and her work formed our understanding of the molecular structures of nucleic acid materials, DNA and RNA as well as viruses.
![microscope closeup of penicillin](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/images/landscape-3000X2000/shutterstock-1112007065-penicillin_1624541986988_x4.jpg)
Most significant discovery/invention?
The discovery of penicillin, which lead to the discovery of thousands of antimicrobials we use today.
![Gloved hands with evidence envelope](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/images/landscape-3000X2000/170810_FOM_sutton_trust_summer_056.jpg)
Career options after study
A degree in Microbiology can equip you with skills to go into a career of pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, forensics, and clinical research.
![Closeup of hands playing cello](https://pxl-imperialacuk.terminalfour.net/fit-in/720x462/prod01/channel_2/media/images/landscape-3000X2000/CELLO-181204-ICL-Enterprise-Reception-077.jpg)
My hobbies
In my spare time I like playing cello, watching movies, going out with friends, and reading books.