Joshua Afzal
Principal Scientist
- I am a multidisciplinary agricultural scientist, educator, and mentor with more than 15 years of international experience across Europe, Asia, and Africa. My work blends academic rigor with grassroots innovation—from designing regenerative farming trials and crop protection studies to developing school-based science curricula that ignite curiosity and creativity.
I’ve mentored over 100 students across multiple countries, guiding everyone from high school learners taking their first steps in science to university students tackling thesis-level research. I’ve collaborated with the University of Hohenheim (Germany), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (Pakistan), and UK institutions including the University of Bradford, Askham Bryan College, and the University of York on food systems research, sustainability education, and inclusive academic programs.
My technical expertise spans crop protection, agribusiness development, and environmental management, alongside hands-on systems like hydroponics, aquaponics, and mushroom cultivation. I’ve led plant tissue culture work for disease-free citrus, biocontrol strategies against mango diseases, biogas and ultra-fine bubble technologies for soil and water optimization, and crafted innovative student projects—building small aquaponic models, recycling waste into mushroom beds, or experimenting with water-saving soil mixes.
As a mentor, I bring warmth, clarity, and purpose—helping students connect sustainability, innovation, and real-world impact. Whether I’m guiding a school student to set up their first hydroponic jar or advising a graduate on advanced crop health experiments, I strive to empower learners to think boldly, solve problems creatively, and act responsibly.
I’m committed to nurturing each student’s curiosity and confidence, and to showing them how science can drive positive change—for their own futures and for the world we share.
- Universities attended -
- University of Hohenheim University of Hohenheim Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Agronomy and Crop Science
- University of Hohenheim University of Hohenheim Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Agronomy and Crop Science
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad University of Agriculture, Faisalabad M.Sc. (Hons), Plant Pathology/Phytopathology
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad University of Agriculture, Faisalabad M.Sc. (Hons) , Agriculture, major Plant Pathology
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad University of Agriculture, Faisalabad B.Sc (Hons), Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences
- University of Agriculture, Faisalabad University of Agriculture, Faisalabad B.Sc. (Hons), Agriculture, major Plant Pathology
- Preferred format of mentorship - 1-on-1 mentoring, Small group research (2–3 students), Short-term Pods (4–6 sessions), Flexible / I’m open to different formats
- Time zone - German (Central European Time, CET, UTC +1)
- Any additional information you’d like to share with us? -
- I’m adaptable to any age group or career path, and ready to tailor projects to each student’s interests—whether they’re exploring STEM research, agribusiness entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, or science communication. I adjust scope, depth, and format (in-person or virtual) to fit learners’ goals, schedules, and skill levels, creating an inclusive, supportive environment that builds curiosity, confidence, and real-world impact.
- Brief Summary of Your Research Interests.
- I explore sustainable and resilient food systems by integrating crop protection, regenerative technologies, and community engagement. My core interests include biocontrol strategies for plant diseases and plant tissue culture for disease-free propagation, alongside soilless cultivation methods such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and vertical farming. I investigate resource-efficient systems—from waste-to-mushroom recycling and biogas nutrient cycles to ultra-fine bubble irrigation and soil-water optimization—to bridge lab research with real-world impact. I’m also passionate about agribusiness development, climate-smart agriculture, and crafting hands-on curricula that empower students to translate scientific innovation into practical solutions for farms and communities.
- Please describe your past experience mentoring or teaching students.
- I’ve supervised multiple graduate‐level thesis projects—guiding students through research design, data collection, analysis and manuscript preparation. Beyond formal supervision, I’ve mentored more than 100 learners across high-school, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I’ve designed and run hands-on workshops (aquaponics, hydroponics, mushroom cultivation, biogas trials, soil–water optimization) in partnership with local schools and colleges, and developed accompanying curriculum materials to help teachers bring sustainable‐agriculture concepts into the classroom. I also provide one-on-one career counselling—advising on project proposals, lab techniques and pathways into higher education or agribusiness. My focus is always on tailoring feedback, connecting theory to real-world impact and building each student’s confidence as an independent thinker.
- List 3–5 example project ideas students could pursue with your guidance.
- Desktop Aquaponic Ecosystem Build a small-scale fish–plant loop using a fish tank, pump and grow bed. Monitor water quality (pH, ammonia) and plant growth (leaf size, biomass) to optimize fish stocking density and nutrient balance.
- Mushroom Cultivation from Kitchen Waste Collect substrates (coffee grounds, straw, sawdust), sterilize them, and inoculate with mushroom spawn. Compare yield, colonization time, and contamination rates across substrates to find the best waste-to-food conversion.
- Natural Biocontrol Screening Prepare simple plant extracts (neem, garlic, chili) and test their antifungal activity against common seedling pathogens on petri dishes. Measure inhibition zones and recommend eco-friendly alternatives for crop protection.
- Citrus Micropropagation for Disease-Free Plants Establish a basic tissue culture protocol for citrus explants. Compare shoot multiplication rates under different hormone treatments, and evaluate contamination control to produce healthy saplings.
- Ultra-Fine Bubble Irrigation Efficiency Construct a bubbler system in potted plants to introduce ultra-fine bubbles into the root zone. Track soil moisture retention, plant water uptake, and growth metrics versus traditionally watered controls.
- What types of final deliverables can your students expect to produce?
- Research paper
- Literature review
- Data analysis report
- Codebase or technical prototype
- Podcast or video
- Infographic or digital design
- Presentation or oral defense
- Any additional project themes, trending ideas, or real-world challenges you’d love to explore with motivated high school students?
- Here are five accessible, school-friendly project themes—each hands-on, doable with basic gear, and tied to real-world challenges: Simplified Drone Crop Mapping Use an off-the-shelf mini-drone (e.g., DJI Tello) and its built-in camera. Fly a fixed grid over a small school garden, then stitch images with free desktop software (e.g., Microsoft Image Composite Editor) to spot uneven growth or dry patches. QR-Code Farm-to-Table Tracking Print QR codes for each plant or harvest batch. At each step (harvest, wash, package), students scan and log location, date, and quality notes into a shared Google Sheet. Scan again at sale or tasting day to demonstrate transparency and traceability. DIY Biochar & Soil Test Build a simple charcoal kiln from a metal trash can or barrel outdoors. Convert wood scraps into biochar, grind to powder, and mix into potting soil at different ratios. Use pH strips and a moisture probe to compare water retention and acidity in treated vs. untreated samples. Microbial “Oil Spill” Cleanup Brew compost tea (steep compost in water) to collect harmless soil microbes. Prepare small trays with sand plus a teaspoon of cooking oil. Inoculate with compost tea and monitor how quickly the oil layer breaks down versus a control tray. Smartphone Leaf-Health Checker Create a simple color chart showing healthy leaves versus common disease symptoms (spots, yellowing). Students photograph school-grown plants over time, compare to the chart, and rate severity on a 1–5 scale. Optionally, use Google’s Teachable Machine demo to train a tiny image classifier on their own leaf images. These ideas are intentionally easy and engaging for school students, but I can adjust and offer a wide range of projects based on student interests—leaving plenty of room to scale up complexity and dive deeper as learners grow.
- 🗣️ Communication & Presentation
- Academic writing (papers, reports)
- Public speaking / oral presentations
- Creating research posters or infographics
- Storytelling through data
- 🔍 Research & Inquiry Skills
- Formulating research questions
- Conducting literature reviews
- Identifying credible sources
- Understanding academic research structures (papers, abstracts, citations)
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources
- 🧠 Critical Thinking & Analysis
- Analyzing arguments and data
- Identifying biases and limitations
- Drawing logical conclusions
- Evaluating conflicting evidence
- 📊 Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
- Designing experiments or surveys
- Statistical analysis
- Data visualization
- Interview techniques and thematic coding (qualitative)
- 🎨 Creativity & Problem-Solving
- Brainstorming innovative solutions
- Connecting interdisciplinary ideas
- Applying knowledge to real-world challenges
- 📅 Project Management & Organization
- Setting research goals and timelines
- Managing independent work
- Documenting progress
- Revising based on feedback
- 🤝 Collaboration & Mentorship
- Working in small research teams
- Engaging in intellectual discussions
- Receiving and applying constructive feedback
- Building research confidence and autonomy