Mattheen Rafiqi

Dr. Mattheen Rafiqi is an Assistant Professor at Bezmialem Vakıf University's Beykoz Institute of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, affiliated with the Molecular Biology department. He earned his PhD from The University of Chicago and Wageningen University, with earlier degrees from SK University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Kashmir, India. His research focuses on Ecological Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Eco-Evo-Devo), particularly the integration of endosymbionts into host developmental processes. He has received prestigious awards like the Ramalingaswami Re-entry fellowship and QCBS Excellence Awards. His lab studies insects as model systems to explore symbiotic relationships and their evolutionary impacts. Current grants include TUBITAK-funded projects on endosymbiosis mechanisms and microbiome studies. Dr. Rafiqi mentors multiple PhD and MSc students, co-advising on topics ranging from BMP signaling to evolutionary theory. His lab team includes postdocs and research assistants working on projects like gut microbiome analysis and ant developmental genetics.

Education: PhD (2008, University of Chicago/Wageningen), MSc (2002, Wageningen), BSc (1999, SK University).

Research Themes: Molecular basis of evolutionary transitions, symbiotic gene regulation, and endosymbiont-host interactions. Methodologies include genetic analysis, comparative embryology, and microbiome characterization. Ongoing projects involve ant colonies, bumblebee symbionts, and antibiotic effects on insect development.