Microbial Innovations: Tackling Biofilms and Microplastics

The Environmental Microbiology and Toxicology Research Group at the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCEE), Institute of Environmental Sciences and Engineering (IESE), NUST, celebrated International Microorganisms Day on 30th September 2025. The event, coordinated globally by the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS), aimed to raise awareness of the role of microorganisms in health, environment, and sustainable development, with a special focus on the emerging issues of biofilms and microplastics.

The program featured event highlights and lectures by Dr. Sajida Rasheed, Assistant Professor at University of Kotli, AJ&K, and Dr. Rabia Nosheen, Deputy Director at EPA. Topics covered included the impact of biofilms, the growing presence of microplastics in aquatic systems, and their combined health and ecological risks.

Interactive quizzes and a poster competition on the theme “Tackling Biofilms & Microplastics” engaged undergraduate and postgraduate participants, with judges Dr. Asma Jamil, Senior Associate Professor at Bahria University Islamabad and Dr. Nazish Iftikhar, NUST alumni and former Assistant Professor at SCEE (IESE) NUST recognizing winners for creativity and scientific accuracy. Around 50+ students and faculty members attended the event.

The closing ceremony, graced by Dr. Muhammad Irfan, Principal and Dean SCEE, featured prize distribution and acknowledgments for speakers, evaluators, and organizers. The event concluded with refreshments and a cake-cutting ceremony.

IMD 2025 successfully enhanced student understanding of environmental microbiology, fostered science communication, and encouraged innovative approaches to address critical challenges.