Zinnia Mansoor
Wolverhampton
Summary
Driven professional with talent for engaging students and fostering academic growth. Demonstrates expertise in curriculum development and public speaking, combined with strong interpersonal skills. Committed to inspiring students and enhancing educational outcomes in higher education settings.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work history
Visiting Lecturer
Univ. of Wolverhampton, UK
Wolverhampton
2023.11 - 2025.12
- Teaching students via lectures, workshops and laboratory sessions, marking assessments and assist module leaders in designing examinations for various modules including Biochemistry, Microbial Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Cell Biology and Genetics.
- Adapted teaching methods to suit different learning styles, promoting inclusivity within classroom.
- Received positive feedback for effective communication skills.
- Integrated technology into teaching practice to make lessons more interactive and engaging.
- Presented complex information in easy-to-understand format, improving student comprehension.
- Fostered environment conducive to open discussion; encouraged active participation from all students.
- Collaborated with lecturers to enhance teaching procedures.
Student Ambassador & Library Assistant
Univ. of Wolverhampton, UK
Wolverhampton
2022.10 - 2023.11
- First point of contact for new students, welcome returners and freshers and guide them around campus, sign-post students towards relevant help and teams, guide students about library services.
- Helped users navigate online catalog effectively, aiding their search efforts.
- Answered queries from users efficiently, providing useful information.
- Helped customers to successfully use library computers and equipment.
- Assisted customers in locating specific books to address needs.
Lecturer (Biotechnology)
Virtual University of Pakistan
Lahore
2019.04 - 2021.10
- Achieved successful delivery of diverse educational modules to undergraduate and postgraduate students through engaging online and in-person sessions in fields such as biochemistry, cell biology, fermentation technology, industrial biotechnology, and microbiology.
- Streamlined thesis coordination for master's students, resulting in efficient processing and thorough liaison with examination departments and external examiners for conducting viva voce.
- Supervised postgraduate students' research for high-quality dissertations.
- Mentored students during their final year project, ensured successful completion.
- Managed administrative tasks related to coursework, streamlined evaluation process.
- Led seminars and workshops for enhanced student participation.
- Ensured uninterrupted learning experiences by producing and recording video lectures for practical sessions during COVID-19 for students unable to participate in person.
- Designed exams, assessments and course content, including lecture material and writing assignments.
- Participated actively in faculty training programes to enhance teaching skills.
Teacher – O-levels Biology
School for Contemporary & Islamic Learning, Pakistan
Lahore
2018.08 - 2019.04
- Teach biology via lectures and activities to O-level students in first, second and final year of their GCSEs, plan lessons according to syllabus and design practice worksheets
Teaching & Research Assistant
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore
2017.03 - 2018.05
- Assist Head of Department in managing research students, provide day-to-day guidance to research students (Masters and undergraduate) about their projects and help in procurement of chemicals, assist in teaching activities, including active teaching via lectures, practical sessions, designing examination papers and marking assessments and exams in modules related to Biochemistry, Environmental Biotechnology, Protein Purification techniques and Enzymology.
- Marked and graded student assignments promptly, ensuring proper feedback.
- Provided tutoring support to struggling students, promoting academic success.
- Participated in academic conferences presenting well-researched papers.
- Assisted in exam invigilation duties, upholding integrity of the process.
- Prepared teaching materials for smooth execution of lectures.
- Collaborated with faculty members for successful curriculum development.
- Coordinated laboratory experiments for students to test in-class theories.
Visiting Faculty
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore
2017.02 - 2017.03
- Teach different modules via lectures and laboratory sessions including biochemistry, enzymology and bioremediation
- Carried out day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
Teacher – O-levels Biology & Chemistry
National Grammar School, Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore
2016.08 - 2017.01
- Teach biology and chemistry via lectures and activities to O-level students in first, second and final year of their GCSEs, plan lessons according to syllabus and design practice worksheets
Research Associate / Research Officer
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Lahore
2014.03 - 2016.02
- Conduct research in the project, design experiments, write project reports and present research in meetings, involvement in record-keeping of project funds and expenditures on consumables/equipment
- Project: Production of Bioenergy from Plant Biomass, Funded by: Ministry of Science & Technology, Pakistan
Education
Postgraduate Certificate - Academic Practice in Higher Education
University of Wolverhampton
UK 2024.09 - 2025.08
PhD - Biological Sciences
University of Wolverhampton
UK 2021.01 - Select/2026
MPhil - Biotechnology
Govt College University
Lahore, Pakistan 2012.01 - 2015.01
BSc Hons - Biotechnology
Govt College University
Lahore, Pakistan 2008.01 - 2012.01
Skills
- Subject expertise
- Teaching excellence
- Specialized certification
- Critical thinking facilitation
- Culturally inclusive teaching
- Public speaking
- Student mentoring
- Lecture preparation
- Student engagement
- Assessment marking, grading, feedback
- Teaching material development
Certification
Fellow Higher Education Academy, UK
Member Microbiology Society, UK
Member American Microbiology Society, USA
Languages
English
Fluent
Urdu
Native
References
References available upon request.
Research Publications
- Molecular Phylogeny and Characterization of Mundri Sheep, Veterinarska Stanica (2023)
- Polymers Use as Mulch Films in Agriculture—A Review of History, Problems and Current Trends, Polymers (2022) – IF 4.967
- Enzymatic Depolymerisation of Wheat Straw by Thermophilic Cellulases, Pakistan Journal of Botany (2020) – IF 0.79
- Removal of phenolic compounds through overliming for enhanced saccharification of wheat straw, Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (2018) – IF 2.587
- Random mutagenesis of Aspergillus niger and process optimization for enhanced production of glucose oxidase, Pakistan Journal of Botany (2014) – IF 0.822
- Three research publications (from PhD project) are in process of submission
Conferences Attended
- International Seminar – Polymer Materials in Environmental & Climate Production, Poland (2025)
- Early Career Researchers – Environmental Biotechnology Network Conference, UK (2024)
- PhD Research Conference (Organized by Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, 2024)
- European Biotechnology Congress (2023 online, 2024 Turkey)
- Annual Microbiology Society Conference, UK (2023)
- UK-Poland-Ukraine Inspired Biomaterials Conference (2022 online)
- FSE Festival of Research, Univ. of Wolverhampton, UK (2022)
Workshops Organized
- National conference on Analysis of multispectral radiometer and satellite data for better monitoring and management of crops and livestock production (2019)
- National Workshop on Bioinformatics (2017)
- Laboratory Biosafety Training – GCU Lahore (2017)
Awards & Achievements
- Runners-up Best Poster – Research and Enterprise Awards, University of Wolverhampton, UK (2025)
- Best Presentation Award – Environmental Biotechnology Network Conference, UK (2024)
- Second Position – MPhil Biotechnology (2014)
- Second Position – BSc Honours Biotechnology (2012)
- Dr. Saeeda Karamat Gold Medal – Best Female Graduate (2012)
- Multiple debate awards including Champion titles in Parliamentary Debates (2010–2013)
- IQ Test – 98th percentile, Mensa Pakistan (2007)
Timeline
Postgraduate Certificate - Academic Practice in Higher Education
University of Wolverhampton
2024.09 - 2025.08
Visiting Lecturer
Univ. of Wolverhampton, UK
2023.11 - 2025.12
Student Ambassador & Library Assistant
Univ. of Wolverhampton, UK
2022.10 - 2023.11
PhD - Biological Sciences
University of Wolverhampton
2021.01 - Select/2026
Lecturer (Biotechnology)
Virtual University of Pakistan
2019.04 - 2021.10
Teacher – O-levels Biology
School for Contemporary & Islamic Learning, Pakistan
2018.08 - 2019.04
Teaching & Research Assistant
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
2017.03 - 2018.05
Visiting Faculty
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
2017.02 - 2017.03
Teacher – O-levels Biology & Chemistry
National Grammar School, Lahore, Pakistan
2016.08 - 2017.01
Research Associate / Research Officer
Govt College University, Lahore, Pakistan
2014.03 - 2016.02
MPhil - Biotechnology
Govt College University
2012.01 - 2015.01
BSc Hons - Biotechnology
Govt College University
2008.01 - 2012.01