Mohammed Rafi
Research Associate
Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BSc University of Madras; MSc University of Hertfordshire
Research Websites: Center for Genomics and Systems Biology
Research Areas: Pest Management
Mohammed Sajid Rafi is a Research Associate in the Chemical and Functional Genomics Laboratory at New York University Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on developing innovative biocontrol strategies to manage the red palm weevil, a major pest threatening date palm cultivation.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from Loyola College (University of Madras, India) and a Master’s degree in Biotechnology from the University of Hertfordshire (UK). Following his master’s, he joined the Crop Protection and Climate Change Group at Hertfordshire, where he studied crop–pathogen interactions, focusing on a fungal pathogen of oilseed rape using molecular and bioinformatic tools.
Before joining NYUAD, Rafi served as a Laboratory Specialist at the Khalifa Center for Genomics and Biotechnology, UAE University. His work on the Ghaf (Prosopis cineraria) microbiome led to the identification of a novel bioactive compound, TAA, culminating in a patent.
At NYUAD, Rafi's research explores the biocontrol potential of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), a naturally occurring bacterium known for its insecticidal proteins and environmental safety. By integrating Bt-based approaches into pest management programs, he aims to advance sustainable and effective solutions for agricultural pest control, particularly for the red palm weevil.