Dr. Zil a Rubab
Lecturer, Cell Biology
Campus
Biography
Dr Zil‑a‑Rubab is a clinician‑researcher and academic with expertise in cell biology, molecular medicine, translational health research and research governance. She is currently a lecturer in cell biology and Course Coordinator for the Bachelor of Food and Nutrition at Federation University Australia.
Zil’s research spans cancer biology, chronic disease and clinical sciences, with a strong focus on translating laboratory and clinical research into evidence‑based practice and policy. She is a holder of the Cancer Biology and Therapeutics High‑Impact Cancer Research (HI‑CR) postgraduate qualification from Harvard Medical School, reflecting advanced training in contemporary cancer research and therapeutic innovation.
Zil has extensive experience leading and reviewing investigator‑initiated clinical research, including clinical trials, ethics review, safety reporting and governance aligned with ICH‑GCP standards. She is an active peer reviewer for high‑impact international journals, including BMJ, Elsevier and PLOS ONE.
Her work involves national and international collaborations across academia, healthcare and industry. She has supervised masters and PhD candidates and has strong interests in translational biomedical research, research quality assurance, and strengthening links between research, clinical practice and workforce‑ready education.
Available for
HDR Supervision
Professional Comment
HDR Examiner
More about Zil
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), King Edward Medical University
- Postgraduate Cancer Biology and Therapeutics High‑Impact Cancer Research (HI‑CR), Harvard Medical School
- PhD Biochemistry & Mol Biology, Ziauddin University
- Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Education (ongoing), Federation University
Areas of interest
- Translational biomedical research
- Cancer biology and therapeutic innovation
- Metabolic disease
- Clinical trials and investigator‑initiated research
- Research governance, ethics, and quality assurance
- Authentic assessment and assurance of learning in education
Areas of expertise
Zil has expertise in cell biology, molecular medicine and clinical sciences, with a strong focus on translating laboratory and clinical research into evidence‑based practice and policy.
Projects and partnerships
- Co‑founder, SAHARA project, Federation University Pre‑Accelerator for Regional Victoria (FPRV) program
Grants
- 2023: Immunogenomic biomarkers and immunoregulatory pathways in head and neck squamous Cell Carcinoma to identify immunotherapies, Era of New Hope (Pakistan Science Foundation)
- 2021: Gene and Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy, Small Business innovation Research Program, Nanocan Therapeutic Corporation, USA
- 2022: Liquid immunogenic Fiducial Eluter (LIFE) Gel for oral cancer, Small Business innovation Research Program, Nanocan Therapeutic Corporation, USA
Current
- Undergrad student, Federation University, ‘Macronutrient requirements in female athletes across the menstrual cycles’, supervisor.
Past
- Undergrad student, Federation University, ‘Protein–protein interaction of COL4A1, MMP1, and MMP3 in colorectal cancer using bioinformatics analysis’, supervisor.
- PhD student, Ziauddin University, ‘Expression of Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily Member 4 and its ligand (OX40 And OX40L) in oral squamous cell carcinoma’, supervisor.
- Master's student, Ziauddin University, 'Association of soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (CLEC-2) with coronary artery disease’, supervisor
- Master's student, Ziauddin University, ’Salivary Fetuin- A levels in myocardial infarction with and without periodontitis’, supervisor.
- Master's student, Ziauddin University, 'Gene polymorphism of FTO, KCNQ1 AND JAZF1 in adults with parental history of Diabetes Mellitus’, supervisor.
- Master's student, Ziauddin University, 'SLC30A8 polymorphism (rs13266634) and autoantibodies against ZnT8 in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus’, supervisor.
- Master's student, Ziauddin University, 'Association of rs9939609 FTO gene variant with obesity among Karachi adults using oral rinse’, supervisor.
- Pathophysiology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
- Mol biology
- Cell biology
- Nutrition
Specialist roles
- Coordinator, Bachelor of Food and Nutrition
- Member, Assessment Working Group (IISS LT)
Health Innovation and Transformation Centre
- Publications
Genetic variations and lifestyle in oxidative stress
- Book Chapters
- DOI reference: 10.1016/B978-0-443-18807-7.00006-5
Identification of a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism of Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Vitamin D Binding Protein (VDBP) Gene and Its Dysregulated Pathway Through VDR-VDBP Interaction Network Analysis in Vitamin D-Deficient Infertile Females
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.7759/cureus.55602
IS tRNA driving breast cancer progression?
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.36283/PJMD8-4/011
Co-Stimulatory Markers OX40 and OX40L in Blood and Saliva of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Comparative Study
- Journals
- DOI reference: 10.17582/journal.pjz/2022020505024