Asif Equbal
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BS-MS IISER Mohali India; PhD Aarhus University, Denmark
Research Areas: Nuclear and Electron Magnetic Resonance, Photochemistry, Quantum Materials, Spin Physics

Dr. Asif Equbal received a BS-MS integrated degree from IISER Mohali, India, in 2013 and a PhD from the Interdisciplinary Institute of Nanoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark, in 2016. As a postdoctoral fellow, he conducted research at UC Santa Barbara, California (2017-21) and Northwestern University, Chicago (2021-22).
Dr. Equbal's research interests are interdisciplinary. Currently, he is focused on the development of dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP), a technique that can significantly improve the sensitivity of NMR and biomedical imaging. In the long term, he is interested in light-activated spin chemistry and its application in the development of materials for future quantum technologies.
Dr. Equbal was awarded the "John-Weil Young Investigator Award-2022" by the International EPR (ESR) Society for his contribution to the advancement of DNP using EPR. He also received the "Molekylspektroskopiprisen 2017" - the Danish Society for Molecular Spectroscopy award for the best PhD thesis evaluated between 2015 and 2017. He is also a co-founder of Global NMR Discussion Meetings, an online forum for organizing educational seminars and conferences.
Courses Taught
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Is Schrödinger's cat dead or alive? This famous thought experiment highlights the mysterious nature of quantum mechanics, a powerful theory that explains the principles of nature at the atomic level. In 1982, Feynman suggested the utilization of the principles of quantum mechanics to construct a quantum computer for investigating the quantum world we live in. Quantum technology is expected to revolutionize the world. Are we ready for it? The objective of this course is to acquaint students with the mysterious nature of Quantum Mechanics and its role in computing. Along with fundamental theories, students will engage in practical exercises on a 2-qubit quantum computer at NYUAD's Quantum Lab. They will acquire knowledge about the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and quantum computing, and comprehend the real-world applications of quantum computing across several domains, including finance, ultra-secure communication, sensing, physics, chemistry, and biology. The course will also delve into the influence of quantum computing beyond science and technology, extending into the realms of arts and humanities.
Previously taught: Fall 2023, Fall 2024
This course appears in...
- Core Curriculum > Data and Discovery
- Core Curriculum > Experimental Inquiry
- Core Curriculum > Quantitative Reasoning
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2 credits
This laboratory course is coupled to the lectures in CHEM-UH 3013 and focuses on the principles and use of modern computational and experimental methods for predicting structure and energy, spectroscopic characterization, and structure determination. The students become familiar with modern instrumental methods such as absorption (ultraviolet-visible) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, and structure analysis by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The students learn how to use and interface analytical equipment, acquire, process and analyze data, and interpret the results. After the completion of this course, students are able to characterize materials by using common analytical methods.
Corequisite: CHEM-UH 3013
Previously taught: Spring 2 2017, Spring 2 2018, Spring 2 2019, Spring 2 2020, Spring 2 2021, Spring 2 2022, Spring 2 2023, Spring 2 2024
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Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Asif Equbal - W 12:45 - 17:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks
W 12:45 - 17:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Chemistry
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Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
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This Interdisciplinary course on Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy provides an introduction to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) in the solution and solid state, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The course provides a theoretical foundation and experimental skills to develop an aptitude for various magnetic resonance techniques in different disciplines such as structural biology, biomedical imaging, catalysis, materials characterization, spin engineering, and also the emerging quantum information science. The course also covers the application of nuclear magnetic resonance in industries, including petrochemistry and pharmaceuticals. Students will have the opportunity to work on a 3-week short project on a topic of their choice, e.g., multidimensional spectral analysis for proteins, pharmaceuticals, soft matter, catalysis, instrumentation, spin engineering, numerical simulation, magnetic resonance in health.
Prerequisite: Foundations of Science 3-4
Previously taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Asif Equbal, Brijith Thomas - TR 17:00 - 18:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Bioengineering
- Majors > Biology > Biophysics
- Majors > Chemistry
- Majors > Physics > Biophysics
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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The senior capstone experience in chemistry is designed to engage students in a long-term, mentored learning experience that culminates in a piece of original research and/or scientific theory. The research project focuses on the art of scientific problem solving through theoretical analysis and/or experimental and technical design. The capstone project provides an opportunity for students to use their knowledge and skills to identify and solve a problem or answer a question in the field of chemistry. The students design and execute a project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Prerequisite: CHEM-UH 3090
Previously taught: Fall 2016, Spring 2017, Fall 2017, Spring 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019, Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2023, Spring 2024, Fall 2024
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Wael M. Rabeh - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
Pance Naumov - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Alan Healy - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Ali Trabolsi - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Wael M. Rabeh - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Aleksander Rebane - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Pance Naumov - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Brijith Thomas - Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2025;
14 Weeks
Asif Equbal - Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Chemistry
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Spring 2025;
14 Weeks
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1 credits
This is the Lab component for Foundations of Science 2 (Chemistry).
Pre- or Corequisite: MATH-UH 1012 or MATH-UH 1013 or Math Placement Assessment of 5. Corequisites: SCIEN-UH 1121EQ, SCIEN-UH 1122EQ, SCIEN-UH 1123EQ. Must be able to enroll in all components at the same time of registration.
Previously taught: Fall 2 2016, Spring 2 2017, Fall 2 2017, Spring 2 2018, Fall 2 2018, Spring 2 2019, Fall 2 2019, Spring 2 2020, Fall 2 2020, Spring 2 2021, Fall 2 2021, Spring 2 2022, Fall 2 2022, Spring 2 2023, Fall 2 2023, Spring 2 2024, Fall 2 2024
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Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Asif Equbal - M 14:10 - 18:10 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Tynchtyk Amatov - T 14:10 - 18:10 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Jamie Whelan - M 14:10 - 18:15 Taught in Abu Dhabi -
Fall 2 2025;
7 Weeks
Aleksander Rebane - T 08:30 - 12:35 Taught in Abu Dhabi
This course appears in...
- Majors > Foundations of Science
- Majors > General Engineering
- Minors > Natural Science
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Spring 2 2025;
7 Weeks