Dr Najam Sahar

I am a microbial ecologist with extensive training in soil microbiology and ecosystem processes. My work involves coordinating and executing both laboratory and field-based studies to investigate the mechanisms underlying ecosystem recovery following anthropogenic disturbances. Specifically, I assist in field sampling, laboratory analyses, and data management, focusing on soil microbial communities, plant-microbe interactions, and ecosystem functional recovery.

I completed my MSc and MPhil in Microbiology at Quaid-e-Azam University, Pakistan. My subsequent PhD in Microbial Ecology, completed at the University of Southampton with highly competitive NERC funding, provided a strong foundation in soil microbial dynamics, microbial community interactions with plants, and their roles in nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes. In my current position, I contribute to projects spanning temperate and tropical ecosystems, analysing biodiversity recovery, species interactions, and ecosystem function over temporal scales. I also support the maintenance of laboratory workflows and implementation of standardised experimental protocols.

Currently, I support Professor David Moreno-Mateos at SoGE in research on ecosystem restoration, combining field ecology, laboratory experimentation, and advanced molecular and bioinformatic analyses. My work investigates the reassembly of microbial and plant communities, functional recovery of ecosystems, and the ecological mechanisms that determine resilience and stability following human disturbances. I contribute to the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, and the development of methodologies that integrate microbial ecology with applied ecosystem restoration science.

I am a member of the British Ecological Society (BES) and actively collaborate in multidisciplinary research initiatives investigating microbial ecology, ecosystem recovery, and applied restoration strategies. My work bridges fundamental microbial ecological research with practical applications in ecosystem management and restoration science, aiming to enhance ecosystem resilience in response to anthropogenic and environmental change.

Beyond my research duties, I am motivated by translating fundamental ecological insights into actionable restoration strategies and understanding how soil microbial and plant communities mediate ecosystem resilience. Outside of the professional setting, I am passionate about nature and biodiversity, and I am mum of 5-year-old daughter, Abeeha, whose curiosity inspires and motivates my work.