Profile
Molecular Virologist, Hepatitis Researcher and Educator
Dr. Samia Afzal is a pivotal member of the Molecular Virology group, which plays a crucial role in advancing the treatment and management of viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and Chikungunya virus, collaborating closely with healthcare professionals and patients to improve quality of life through research, disease-awareness initiatives and disease-management strategies.
Her group studies DNA and RNA viruses affecting humans, with emphasis on their prevalence across geographical regions of Pakistan, using structural, cell-based, molecular and biochemical techniques to unravel genome replication, gene expression, virus entry and transmission — work with key implications for antiviral approaches.
Her group has established collaborations with the CDC (USA), the Institute for Advanced Biosciences at University Grenoble Alpes (France), and Queen Mary University London, reflecting a commitment to global engagement in medical virology, diagnostic assay development and vaccine candidate exploration.
Selected contributions
Science translated into capability
Molecular Virology group lead
Leads research into viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and Chikungunya virus treatment and management.
International collaborations
Partnerships with the CDC (USA), University Grenoble Alpes (France) and Queen Mary University London.
Diagnostic & vaccine development
Develops diagnostic assays and explores vaccine candidates for viral epidemics at the genomic level.