Nawroz Kareem

Biography

Dr Nawroz Kareem is a Lecturer in Biosciences within the School of Life Sciences at Keele University, where they have been a member of staff since 2016. Their career is characterised by a strong commitment to education, research, and leadership, with a particular focus on enhancing student learning and promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Dr Kareem holds a PhD in Life Sciences from Keele University, where their research explored innovative approaches to enhancing fish immunity using carbohydrates as natural immunomodulators. Their thesis focused on the immunological responses of carp (Cyprinus carpio) to dietary carbohydrates, offering novel insights into sustainable aquaculture practices and animal health.

In addition to their scientific expertise, Dr Kareem has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing educational practice through the completion of an MA in Higher Education Practice at Keele University. This programme equipped them with pedagogical skills and a strong foundation in evidence-based teaching strategies, which they actively apply to foster engaging and inclusive learning environments.

Their academic qualifications also include an MSc and BSc in Animal Science from the University of Sulaimani, alongside multiple teaching and leadership certifications from Advance HE, including Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Their research interests focus on educational practice, addressing the undergraduate attainment gap, technology-enhanced learning, and academic integrity. Dr Kareem is also involved in international research collaborations including Universiti Sains Malaysia.

In their teaching role, Dr Kareem contributes extensively to undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Bioveterinary Science, Biology, Biomedical Sciences and related disciplines. They have been instrumental in programme design and review, designing and delivering modules, supervising student undergraduate and postgraduate research projects, and co-led field courses, such as the Biology field course and the Tropical Biology Field Course in Malaysia. Additionally, they contribute to programme development and outreach activities at Keele University.

Dr Kareem plays an active role in leadership and governance at the university. They currently serve as Programme Director for Bioveterinary Science and are a member of Keele University’s Senate and Programme Validation Panel. Their dedication to fostering an inclusive academic environment is evident in their roles as Race Equality Lead, member of the school Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, and Chair of the International Staff Network.

Through their work, Dr Kareem strives to create a collaborative and supportive academic community that values innovation, inclusion, and excellence. At Keele University, they are committed to empowering students and colleagues to achieve their full potential while advancing research and education in the biosciences.

Research and scholarship

Dr Nawroz Kareem’s research focuses on addressing critical challenges in disease control, particularly in the context of aquaculture and immunology. Driven by the urgent need to mitigate drug resistance, minimise immunosuppression, and reduce the harmful accumulation of drug residues in animal tissues, their work centres on natural alternatives to conventional treatments.

A key area of expertise is the investigation of immunomodulatory carbohydrates derived from natural sources such as plants and fungi, as well as chemically modified compounds. These carbohydrates exhibit diverse bioactivities, including antioxidant, antitumour, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiviral, antibacterial, and antiprotozoal properties. Dr Kareem’s research contributes to the advancement of sustainable practices in aquaculture and animal health, with significant implications for global food security and biomedical applications.

Dr Kareem is deeply engaged in scholarship activities that explore innovations in bioscience education. Their work has been presented at prestigious conferences, including the Annual Bioscience Education Summit, the Heads of University Biosciences (HUBS) Annual Meeting, and the Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference. Additionally, they have shared insights at international forums such as the 50th International Conference on Improving University Teaching in Milwaukee, USA, and the Royal Society of Biology Accreditation Conferences in London.

Dr Kareem’s contributions extend to reviewing and advising within the academic community. As an Advance HE Fellowship Reviewer, they evaluate applications for HEA Fellowships, providing constructive feedback to promote excellence in teaching and learning. They have also served as an editorial adviser for Oxford University Press, and Pearson. They reviewed publications for international journals, including Frontiers in Immunology and Molecular Biology Reports.

Dr Kareem is affiliated with several professional networks, including the Higher Education Academy, Veterinary Vaccinology Network, IBCarb Network, and the European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP). These memberships reflect their commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and the dissemination of impactful research within the broader scientific and educational communities.

Esteem Indicators

Dr Kareem has gained recognition in both academic and professional spheres through various roles and contributions to the scientific and educational communities:

• Advance HE and Higher Education Academy (HEA) Fellowship Reviewer – Reviewing applications for Associate Fellow, Fellow, and Senior Fellow levels, providing constructive feedback, and promoting excellence in higher education practice.
• Invited Reviewer for Pearson Education (2024) – Reviewing a Biology Higher Education textbook for the publisher in October 2024.
• Reviewed Biology: A Global Approach Textbook for Pearson Education – Reviewed the Biology: A Global Approach textbook for Pearson Education publisher in December 2019 and March 2020.
• Grant Application Reviewer – Reviewed grant applications for the International Foundation for Science (IFS) in April 2022.
• Editorial Adviser for Oxford University Press – Provided advisory feedback for educational materials related to biology and higher education.
• Reviewer for International Journals – Acted as a reviewer for Frontiers in Immunology (Comparative Immunology section) in December 2019 and Molecular Biology Reports in July 2018.
• Conference Reviewer – Reviewed submissions for the 19th and 18th EAFP International Conferences on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, held in Porto (2019) and Belfast (2017).
• Member of the Editorial Board for Various Publications – Contributed to the review process for journals in immunology, comparative biology, and higher education.

Teaching

I currently manage and teach the following modules:

Undergraduate degree BSc (Hons) Level 4 modules:

• LSC-10095 Animal Health and Disease module management and teaching
• LSC-10105 Animal Physiology and Anatomy module management and teaching
• LSC-10107 Cells, Genetics and Evolution module management and teaching
• LSC-10103 Practical and Academic Skills in Bioscience teaching and designing practical sessions

Undergraduate degree BSc (Hons) Level 5 modules:

• LSC-20119 Current Topics in Bioveterinary Science   
• LSC-20117 Veterinary Diagnostics       
• LSC-20099 Animal Nutrition and health module management and teaching
• LSC-20071 Animal Adaptation teaching
• LSC-20097 Environmental Biology; The Biology Field Course (Bangor University) module management and teaching
• LSC-20091 Animal Behaviour teaching
• LSC-20127 Practical and Professional Skills in Bioscience teaching and designing practical sessions

Undergraduate degree BSc (Hons) Level 6 modules:

• LSC-30086 Case Studies in Animal Infection and Control        
• LSC-30072 Animal Welfare teaching
• LSC-30043 Conservation Biology teaching
• LSC-30030 Human Evolution module management and teaching
• LSC-30102 Research Project Experimental Project supervision
• LSC-30050 Life Sciences Dissertation supervision
• LSC-30046 Life Sciences Single Experimental Project supervision

Postgraduate degree BSc (Hons) Level 7 modules:

• LSC-40059 Biomedical Science Research Project supervision15.

Collaborations and grants awards

Dr Kareem has secured various grants and funding for research and academic development:

2023:

• £3,000 (External) – Erasmus fund to train PhD student Ms Somdare Peace Onas from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
• £1,950 (Internal) – Advance HE: Diversifying Leadership Manchester.

2022:

• £3,000 (External) – Erasmus fund to visit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Malaysia.

2019

• £1,000 (Internal) – Aurora leadership development initiative by Advance HE.

2016:

• £3,765 (Internal) – Keele University Impact Acceleration Fund (IAF).
• £250 (Prize) – Best Early-Stage Researchers oral presentation prize at the 2nd EAFP UK and Ireland Branches Meeting (sponsored by Elsevier).

2015:

• €300 (External) – EAFP Award for registration at the 17th EAFP International Conference, Las Palmas, Spain.

2014:

• €400 (External) – EAFP Award for registration at the 16th EAFP International Conference, Tampere, Finland.
• £180 (Internal) – Keele University award for registration at the 1st EAFP UK and Ireland Branches Meeting, Keele University, UK.

2013:

• €700 (External) – EAFP Award for registration at the 16th EAFP International Conference, Tampere, Finland.
• £300 (Internal) – Keele University award for registration at the 2nd EAFP UK and Ireland Branches Meeting, Stirling University, UK.

Awards:

• Celebrating Staff Success in recognition for achieving a professional qualification, November 2024.
• Keele Excellence Award in recognition for the outstanding contribution of the academic misconduct team at the School of Life Sciences, October 2023.
• Recognition of innovative practice in teaching and learning from Learning Science Teaching Innovation Awards 2023.
• Recognition of innovative practice in teaching and learning from Learning Science Teaching Innovation Awards 2020.
• Students Choice Award and Keele Teaching Award in 2018.
• The 2nd EAFP UK and Ireland Branches Meeting, Stirling University, Best Early-Stage Researchers oral presentation prize sponsored by Elsevier, September 2016.

Professional social media

• http://www.vetvaccnet.ac.uk/scientist/nawroz-kareem
• https://eafp.org/stirling2016/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/nawroz-kareem-88010760/
•  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8506-8263