Dr. Muzafar Riyaz

Dr. Muzafar Riyaz, a distinguished researcher in the fields of Entomology. Throughout his research journey, he focused on understanding the molecular phylogenetics and biodiversity of insects with special emphasis on moths. His doctoral thesis explored the co-evolutionary relationship among Noctuoidea moths that served as a benchmark study from India. Driven by an unwavering commitment to research excellence, Dr. Riyaz published several scientific papers in reputable scientific journals, book chapters with distinguished publishers and submitted over 38 complete mitogenomes to GENBANK (NCBI). He has made significant contributions to the understanding of insect phylogenetics, diversity, and the taxonomy. Born on June 13, 1994, in the beautiful region of Kashmir, his passion for the natural world and its evolution was ignited at an early age.

EDUCATION

B.Sc. (University of Kashmir, Srinagar, India)
M.Sc. Zoology/Entomology (HNB Garhwal Central University, Uttarakhand, India)
Ph.D. (Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, University of Madras, Chennai, India)

RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS

Multidisciplinary, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Insect Science, Molecular Biology

RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Its Role in Neurological Disorders
GA Rather, V Mathur, M Riyaz, R Yadav, A Nanda, AJ Siddiqui, ...
Mechanism and Genetic Susceptibility of Neurological Disorders, 299-315 2024



Microplastic Pollution in Urban-Dal Lake, India: Uncovering Sources and Polymer Analysis for Effective Assessment
A Nazir, SM Hussain, M Riyaz, MA Zargar
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 235 (2), 1-17 2024



Edible Insects: Islamic Perspectives on Entomophagy and Future Foods: Islamic Perspectives on Edible Insects
M Riyaz
SHAHIH: Journal of Islamicate Multidisciplinary 8 (2), 63-80 2024



Anotogaster Basalis Selys, 1854: A noteworthy addition to the Odonata fauna of Jammu and Kashmir, India
K Singh, T Sheikh, M Riyaz
Munis Entomology and Zoology 19 (1), 514-517 2024



First record of Pyralis farinalis Linnaeus, 1758 from India (Pyralidae: Pyralinae)
M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu
SHILAP Revista de lepidopterologa 51 (204), 629-634 2023



A preliminary assessment of faunal mortality on a road through Mannur Reserve Forest, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India
Y Chezhian, P Sarangan, M Riyaz, C Tamilselvan
Biological Diversity and Conservation 16 (3), 173-179 2023



Characterization of complete mitochondrial genomes of five noctuoid moths (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea) and their phylogenetic implications
M Riyaz, RA Shah, I Savarimuthu, S Kuppusamy
Journal of Biosciences 48 (4), 48 2023



Characterization and Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Subfamily Erebinae (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae) Using Five Complete Mitochondrial Genomes
RA Shah, M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Biochemical Genetics, 1-29 2023



Smart phone-macro lens setup (SPMLS): a low-cost and portable photography device for amateur taxonomists, biodiversity researchers, and citizen enthusiasts
M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu
Bulletin of the National Research Centre 47 (1), 143 2023



Taxonomy of Pyraloidea with new distributional records from Northwestern Himalayas, Kashmir-India
M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu
Munis Entomology and Zoology, 1965-1971 2023



Unleashing the Alien: a deep dive into the terrifying world of Xenomorphs in science fiction and horror
M Riyaz
Journal of Geek Studies 10 (2), 59-65 2023



Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial genome of Hypospila bolinoides and Lygephila dorsigera (Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea: Erebidae), with implications for their phylogeny
M Riyaz, RA Shah, I Savarimuthu, S Kuppusamy
European Journal of Entomology 120 (1), 187-198 2023



Assessing ethno-veterinary practices in Kashmir Himalayas: Traditional knowledge and its role in animal healthcare
AY Mir, M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu
Nova Geodesia 3 (2), 131-131 2023



Phylogenomics including the newly sequenced mitogenomes of two moths (Noctuoidea, Erebidae) reveals Ischyja manlia (incertae sedis) as a member of subfamily Erebinae
M Riyaz, RA Shah, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Genetica 151 (2), 105-118 2023



Insights into the Current Phase of Metaverse and Its Impacts on Muslim Youth: A Broad-Spectrum Cognizance
M Riyaz
Ulum Islamiyyah 34 (3), 1-12 2022



Characterization of four mitochondrial genomes from superfamilies Noctuoidea and Hyblaeoidea with their phylogenetic implications
RA Shah, M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Scientific Reports 12 (1), 18926 2022



First record of Xanthia (Cirrhia) icteritia (Hufnagel, 1766)(Noctuidae: Xyleninae) from India
M Riyaz, K Sivasankaran
Journal of Threatened Taxa 14 (8), 21745-21748 2022



First record of Orthonama obstipata Fabricius, 1794 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) from Kashmir Valley, J&K UT, India
M Riyaz
Species 23 (72), 331-336 2022



New distributional record of Photoscotosia miniosata Walker, 1862 (Geometridae: Larentiinae) from the Kashmir Valley-Pir Panjal Range, Inner Himalayas, India
M Riyaz
Species 23 (71), 272-276 2022



Psychological effects of COVID-19 pandemic on Indian population: a review
M Patwekar, F Patwekar, M Riyaz, S Tabassum, S Tarkash, GA Rather
International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health 9 (5), 2320 2022

MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS

Pesticide residues: Impacts on fauna and the environment
M Riyaz, RA Shah, K Sivasankaran
Biodegradation Technology of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants 2021
Citations: 32



Botanical Pesticides for an Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Agriculture: New Challenges and Prospects
M Riyaz, P Mathew, SM Zuber, GA Rather
Sustainable Agriculture, 69-96 2021
Citations: 19



Comparative mitochondrial genome analysis of Eudocima salaminia (Cramer, 1777)(Lepidoptera: Noctuoidea), novel gene rearrangement and phylogenetic relationship within the
M Riyaz, RA Shah, I Savarimuthu, S Kuppusamy
Molecular Biology Reports 48 (5), 4449-4463 2021
Citations: 15



Entomophily of Apple ecosystem in Kashmir valley, India: A review
M Riyaz, P Mathew, G Paulraj, S Ignacimuthu
International Journal of Scientific Research in Biological Sciences 5 (5 2018
Citations: 14



First record of the Afghan Poplar Hawkmoth Laothoe witti Eitschberger et al., 1998 (Sphingidae: Smerinthinae) from India: a notable range extension for the genus
M Riyaz, P Mathew, T Shiekh, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Journal of Threatened Taxa 13 (7), 18943-18946 2021
Citations: 10



Impact on Farmers’ Health Due to the Pesticide Exposure in the Agrarian Zones of Kashmir Valley: A Review
M Riyaz, WA Iqbal, K Sivasankaran, S Ignacimuthu
Acta Scientific Agriculture 4 (2), 01-07 2020
Citations: 9



Ethnobotany of the Himalayas—Kashmir, India
M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu, RA Shah, K Sivasankaran, P Pandikumar
Ethnobiology of Mountain Communities in Asia, 27-45 2021
Citations: 7



Toxicity and Risk Assessment of Nanomaterials
GA Rather, MZ Gul, M Riyaz, A Chakravorty, MH Khan, A Nanda, MY Bhat
Handbook of Research on Nano-Strategies for Combatting Antimicrobial 2021
Citations: 7



Insect Conservation and Management: A Need of the Hour
M Riyaz, RA Shah, SM Packiam
Global Decline of Insects 2022
Citations: 6



First record of Myrmeleon trivialis (Gerstaecker, 1885)(Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) from the J&K UT (Kashmir Valley, India)
M Riyaz, MA Reshi
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology 14 (3), 59-64 2021
Citations: 6



A Preliminary survey of Dragonflies and Damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) in and around Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary Shopian, Kashmir
M Riyaz, K Sivasankaran
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences. A, Entomology 14 (1), 133-139 2021
Citations: 6



Characterization of four mitochondrial genomes from superfamilies Noctuoidea and Hyblaeoidea with their phylogenetic implications
RA Shah, M Riyaz, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Scientific Reports 12 (1), 18926 2022
Citations: 5



The Role of Green Synthesised Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles in Agriculture
GA Rather, S Hamid, M Riyaz, M Hassan, MA Sofi, I Manzoor, A Nanda
Sustainable Agriculture, 119-142 2021
Citations: 5



Dragonflies: The Apex Predators of the Insect World
M Riyaz
Academia Letters, 1-5 2021
Citations: 5



Environmental Pesticide Degradation: Mechanisms and Sustainability
M Riyaz, P Mathew, RA Shah, K Sivasankaran, SM Zuber
Bioremediation and Phytoremediation Technologies in Sustainable Soil 2022
Citations: 4



Taxonomic diversity and Ethnobotany of genus Solanum (Solanaceae) alongside Pir Panjal gradient, North-western Himalayas-Rajouri (J&K UT), India
SB Zanit, SA Mochi, M Riyaz
Species 23 (71), 86-93 2022
Citations: 3



A preliminary survey of ethnomedicinal flora along Pir Panjal gradient (Kashmir-Himalayas), Aharbal Kulgam (J&K UT), India
SA Mochi, M Riyaz
Journal of Plant Development Sciences 13 (12), 891-902 2021
Citations: 3



Midnight heroes brought to Daylight: Insights from the National Moth Week-2021 (India)
M Riyaz, K Sivasankaran, SM Packiam
Insect Environment 24 (3), 442-446 2021
Citations: 3



Phylogenomics including the newly sequenced mitogenomes of two moths (Noctuoidea, Erebidae) reveals Ischyja manlia (incertae sedis) as a member of subfamily Erebinae
M Riyaz, RA Shah, S Ignacimuthu, K Sivasankaran
Genetica 151 (2), 105-118 2023
Citations: 2



Revolutionizing Integrated Pest Management Using Nanobiotechnology: A Novel Approach to Curb Overuse of Synthetic Insecticides
M Riyaz, S Hassan, GA Rather
Insecticides, 1-19 2022
Citations: 2