Program Manager - Educational Development

 Dr. Zohaib Rana is a research scientist and educator whose work sits at the intersection of RNA therapeutics, bioinformatics, and cancer research. He is a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Otago, where he contributes to the MBIE-funded Programmes, focusing on RNA-based therapeutics and target discovery for cancer and infectious diseases. Zohaib works across both wet-lab and computational environments, designing and testing RNA therapeutics while building data-driven pipelines that help translate complex genomic information into clinically meaningful insight.

Zohaib completed his PhD in Pharmacology & Toxicology at the University of Otago, where he developed a strong foundation in experimental design, molecular biology, and translational research. Over the years, he has built a portfolio of work spanning glioblastoma biology, immune signatures, neoantigen discovery, and vaccine design, consistently aiming to bridge the gap between high-dimensional data and real-world patient impact. He is particularly passionate about rigorous, reproducible bioinformatics and integrating multi-omics datasets to discover better biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

A committed mentor and teacher, Zohaib is deeply invested in developing the next generation of scientists. He has supervised and supported students in both laboratory and computational projects, with a focus on making complex concepts accessible and building their confidence in research environments. He frequently collaborates across disciplines, reflecting his belief that impactful science happens when diverse perspectives and skill sets come together.

Beyond academia, Zohaib has a long-standing commitment to community leadership and representation. He served as President of the Pakistan Association of Otago between 2024 and 2025 and continues to lead the Association’s Sports & Wellbeing wing. In this role, he has helped organise events, support newcomers, and create spaces that promote mental health, physical activity, and a sense of belonging for the Pakistani and wider migrant community in Ōtepoti Dunedin.

Outside of work and community service, Zohaib is a creative and energetic individual. He enjoys singing and sharing covers of Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi songs, using music as a way to stay connected to his cultural roots and reach people beyond the lab. He is also passionate about science communication, especially around food, health, and misinformation, and is exploring formats such as podcasts, book reviews, and online content to help people make sense of complex science in their everyday lives.