Mr. Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar | Animal Nutrition | Best Researcher Award
University of Sargodha, Pakistan
Profile
🎓 Early Academic Pursuits
Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar began his academic journey with a strong foundation in the sciences, securing an impressive 930/1100 in his SSC and 959/1100 in his F.Sc. (Pre-Medical). This academic diligence led him to pursue the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) at the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore, where he graduated with a CGPA of 3.06/4.00 in 2018. His passion for animal sciences deepened, pushing him toward an M.Phil. in Animal Nutrition (CGPA 3.72/4.00), followed by a Ph.D. in the same field at UVAS, where he currently continues his research journey with a stellar CGPA of 3.79/4.00. His early academic pursuits were marked by awards like the National Endowment Scholarship for Talent (NEST) and the Prime Minister’s Laptop Scheme, highlighting both merit and national recognition.
👨🏫 Professional Endeavors
Professionally, Shahbaz Zafar has built a credible academic portfolio. He is currently serving as a Lecturer in the Animal Sciences Department at the University of Sargodha since February 2025. Prior to this, he worked as a Visiting Lecturer at UVAS, Lahore, in the Animal Nutrition Department. His field experience includes serving as a Research Associate, Ph.D. Researcher, and Intern Veterinary Officer. He has also been actively involved in on-ground animal health practices through internships and clinical rotations, providing him with a balanced blend of academic, research, and field knowledge.
📚 Contributions and Research Focus
Dr. Zafar's research centers on poultry nutrition, with a strong emphasis on dietary manipulations to enhance broiler performance, gut health, carcass quality, and nutrient digestibility. His Ph.D. thesis focuses on protease-supplemented poultry by-product meal-based diets, while his M.Phil. work examined the effects of iso-leucine concentrations on production performance and breast meat yield in broilers. He has been actively engaged in research across multiple laboratories, including the Amino Acid Analysis Lab and Animal Nutrition Research Laboratory at UVAS.
🌍 Impact and Influence
Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar has co-authored several impactful research articles in peer-reviewed international journals. His publications address key issues in poultry and animal nutrition, such as the use of protease in poultry by-product diets and the replacement of antibiotics with probiotics in broilers. His work has appeared in respected journals like Metabolites (IF = 3.7) and Tropical Animal Health and Production (IF = 1.7), highlighting his global academic presence and growing influence in the field.
📊 Academic Citations
Zafar’s scholarly contributions have begun to gather academic citations in journals recognized by the Science Citation Index (SCI). His work has gained traction, particularly in areas related to poultry gut health, feed efficiency, and microbiota profiling. As he continues to publish, his citation footprint is expected to grow, reinforcing his relevance in the field of animal and poultry nutrition science.
🧪 Technical and Analytical Skills
Zafar’s research expertise is matched by his technical skills. He is proficient in using Biochrom 30+ Amino Acid Analyzer, Win-feed, and NRC software for nutritional modeling. His ability to conduct in-depth amino acid profiling, nutrient digestibility studies, and statistical analysis underscores his command over both theoretical and practical aspects of animal nutrition research.
🏫 Teaching Experience
Dr. Zafar brings a wealth of teaching experience, having served in multiple academic roles since 2022. As a Lecturer at University of Sargodha and previously at UVAS, he has taught undergraduate and graduate students, mentored young researchers, and contributed to course development in animal nutrition. His ability to communicate complex scientific concepts with clarity is supported by strong presentation and writing skills, making him an effective educator.
🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions
With a dynamic mix of field exposure, academic rigor, and international publishing experience, Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar is poised to become a leading figure in poultry and animal nutrition in Pakistan and beyond. He aims to collaborate with international researchers, secure global grants, and push for innovations in sustainable poultry production. His future vision includes developing antibiotic-free feeding systems and optimizing alternative protein sources for livestock, thereby contributing to food security and animal welfare.
Selected Publications
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Title: Impacts of Protease Sources on Growth and Carcass Response, Gut Health, Nutrient Digestibility, and Cecal Microbiota Profiles in Broilers Fed Poultry-by-Product-Meal-Based Diets
Authors: Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar, Shafqat Nawaz Qaisrani, Saima, Zafar Hayat, Kashif Nauman
Journal: Metabolites
Title: Effect of Replacing Soybean Meal with Corn Steep Liquor on Growth Performance and Blood Metabolites in Beetal Goats
Authors: Muhammad Usman, Saeed Ahmed, Imran Mohsin, Ghulam Qadir, Muhammad Noman Tariq, Mohsin Ali, Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar, Sohail Ahmad
Journal: Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, Volume 41, No. 2
Year: 2025
Title: Effects of Replacing Antibiotics with Probiotics and Antimicrobial Peptides on Performance, Gut Health, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality and Welfare in Broilers Infected with Eimeria and Clostridium perfringens
Authors: Muhammad Muneeb, Ehsaan Ullah Khan, Mubashar Ali, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Shabir Shaheen, Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar, Sohail Ahmad
Journal: Tropical Animal Health and Production, Volume 57, Article 184
Year: 2025
Title: Effects of Dietary Bypass Fat Supplementation and Varying NDF Levels on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency, Blood Metabolites and Nutrients Digestibility in Beetal Goat Bucks
Authors: Salad Ahmed Abdullahi, Saeed Ahmed, Ehsan Ullah Khan, Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar, Imran Mohsin, Mubarik Ahmad, Zakariye Abdifatah Ahmed, Muhammad Uzair
Journal: Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, Volume 41, No. 1
Year: 2025
Title: Effects of Cysteamine Hydrochloride Supplementation on Nutrients Digestibility in Beetal Bucks
Authors: Muhammad Noman Tariq, Saeed Ahmed, Ghazanfar Ali Chishti, Muhammad Shahbaz Zafar, Muhammad Saadullah, Muhammad Usman, Mohsin Ali, Ghulam Qadir
Journal: Sarhad Journal of Agriculture, Volume 40, No. 4
Year: 2024