Abida Anwar

Background

About Abida Anwar

I am an Epidemiological Analyst who works on understanding the long-term impact of COVID-19 and its burden at the community level. I also have a Ph.D. in biotechnology, a strong background in Biochemistry, and extensive experience as a research scientist in clinical pathology, research, and development. I have worked and managed the production and quality control of diagnostic kits at the Pakistan Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR). My publications have been cited in many research and scientific studies. I enjoy all aspects of research that can benefit society with an effort to prevent, cure, and control the deterioration of public health. While working at Harris County Public Health as an epidemiologist case investigator, I discovered the challenges the public health and healthcare system faced due to unpredictable caseloads and hospitalizations. This unprecedented public health challenge motivated me to construct a machine learning prediction model based on significant risk factors leading to long-term and short-term hospitalization. This model could not only serve as an essential machine learning tool to predict COVID-19 hospitalization but can also be adapted for other emerging and communicable diseases prediction of hospitalization. The abstract for this model is accepted for the APHA 2023 Meeting and Expo. I have worked on animal models to understand the effects of benzodiazepines and barbiturates on behavior and memory by implementing different neuropharmacology behavior and memory tests. I also have substantial experience in sophisticated research techniques of biochemistry, enzymology, and molecular biology, listed below: enzyme isolation cell culture and fermentation technique protein expression and production enzyme kinetics purification of protein salt precipitation dialysis ultra-filtration and protein characterization electrophoresis HPLC chromatography enzyme immobilization technique ELISA DNA extraction DNA amplification via PCR PCR product analysis and purification DNA sequencing and analysis I am interested in studying the clinical significance of enzyme and protein induction and inhibition in normal diseased states to generate targeted therapeutics and therapies.