Lucknow, Jul 1: Dr Aamir Nazir, a noted toxicologist and neuroscience researcher, has been appointed as the Head of the Department of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine at CSIRCentral Drug Research Institute (CSIRCDRI), Lucknow—India’s premier drug discovery institution. He holds the designation of Senior Principal Scientist and has also been appointed the Deputy Test Facility Manager for the GLPcertified facility at CSIRCDRI—one of the only three publicfunded GLPcompliant facilities in India. In this capacity, he will oversee quality standards critical for global regulatory acceptance of safety data.
With over two decades of expertise in toxicology, neurodegenerative disease research, and functional genomics, Dr. Nazir’s appointment marks a significant milestone for the department. A CSIR scientist since 2008, Dr. Nazir has played a pivotal role in preclinical safety assessment of several investigational new drugs (INDs), including anticancer, antileishmanial, and bone-health therapies.
As a GLP-certified Study Director trained by India’s National GLP Compliance Monitoring Authority, he has participated in multiple studies under OECD norms to support IND submissions.
Dr Nazir’s scientific contributions extend into ageing biology and neuroprotection. His work with the model organism C. elegans has identified several genetic and metabolic modulators of neurodegeneration, resulting in over 90 peerreviewed publications. He heads the Laboratory of Functional Genomics and Molecular Toxicology and serves as Coordinator of CSIRCDRI’s Translational Research Group, which oversees the institute’s drug development portfolio.
A native of Pulwama in Kashmir, Dr Nazir completed his early education at Sainik School Nagrota before earning his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Toxicology from Jamia Hamdard University and CSIRIITR, Lucknow. His postdoctoral research at the Medical College of Georgia, USA, focused on anesthetic drug mechanisms.
Over the years, he has received fellowships, awards, and grants from CSIR, INSA, DST, ANRF, and international institutions including the University of Nottingham, UK, and PPCC, Scotland. In recognition of his contributions to research and development, Dr Nazir was recently elected Fellow of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences. Speaking on his appointment, Dr. Nazir said it was a privilege to lead a department that forms the backbone of safe drug development.
“Our focus will be on building scientific rigor, ethical excellence, and translational impact,” he said.
