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Umer Zeeshan Ijaz

Also known as: U. Z. Ijaz; Umer Ijaz

University of Glasgow, University of Liverpool, Jeju National University, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway

ORCID iD 0000-0001-5780-8551
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About

With over 27 years of experience, I am a Research Leader (Current Rank: Professor at University of Glasgow) specialising in the development of scientific software, bespoke analytical strategies, and engineered systems. For the past 14 years, my work has focused on applying Numerical Ecology and Machine Learning to large-scale "omics" datasets, with high-impact applications across environmental, agricultural, and medical sciences.

To date, I have secured over £22M in research funding as a Principal, Co-Investigator, or an Academic Participant. This support has fuelled over 265 publications, garnering over 13K citations. According to Google Scholar, I am currently ranked as the 3rd most-cited researcher globally in Information Engineering and 4th in Numerical Ecology.

Beyond my technical output, I am a dedicated mentor committed to empathy, inclusivity, and collegiality. I have supervised over 250 students and staff across all career stages, including 53 PhD candidates who successfully defended their theses under my guidance. My work extends beyond academia; it has informed policy documents, clinical guidelines, and the formation of multiple spin-offs. My non-academic impact is further evidenced by citations in patents and international media, as well as a presence in public discourse via Wikipedia and global news outlets.

Employment

  • University of Glasgow Professor
    2026 - Present
  • University of Liverpool Honorary Visiting Professor (Research Track)
    2022 - 2027
  • Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway Visiting Lecturer
    2022 - 2023
  • University of Glasgow Reader in Information Engineering
    2019 - 2026
  • University of Glasgow Lecturer in Information Engineering
    2017 - 2019
  • University of Glasgow Lord Kelvin Adam Smith Leadership Fellow
    2014 - 2019
  • University of Glasgow NERC Independent Research Fellow
    2014 - 2019
  • University of Glasgow Grade 8 Research Fellow
    2012 - 2014
  • University of Oxford Grade 8 Senior Postdoctoral Research Assistant
    2011 - 2012
  • University of Cambridge Grade 7 Post Doctoral Research Associate
    2008 - 2011
  • University of Cambridge Teaching Associate
    2008 - 2009
  • Jeju National University Investigator (Inverse Problems in Engineering Research Group)
    2004 - 2008
  • Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology Graduate Assistant (50% FTE)
    2001 - 2003
  • Askari Information System Junior Software Engineer
    2000 - 2001
  • Virtual Shopping Inc. Software Developer and Team Lead "Virtual Shopping Intelligent Agent"
    1999 - 2000
  • Schlumberger Geoquest Internee
    1999 - 1999
  • Sidat Hyder Morshed Associates (pvt) Ltd. Internee
    1999 - 1999

Education

  • Jeju National University PhD
    2004 - 2008
  • Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology MS (MPhil) Computer Systems Engineering
    2001 - 2003
  • Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology BS Computer Systems Engineering
    1996 - 2000

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (279)