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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at AWANTIPORA: The Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine (WCCMM), School of Health Sciences, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), concluded its week-long national workshop titled “Advanced Workshop on AI-Driven Drug Discovery and In Vitro Validation for Translational Research: Towards Viksit Bharat @2047”, held from June 1–8, 2026. The programme brought together scientists, clinicians, academicians, industry experts, and research scholars from leading institutions across the country to explore the growing role of artificial intelligence, computational biology, and translational research in modern drug discovery.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, IUST, who emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary research and emerging technologies in addressing healthcare challenges. He highlighted the transformative potential of AI and data-driven biomedical research in accelerating drug development and advancing precision medicine. The inaugural session was attended by Prof. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Dean Academic Affairs; Dr. Aabid Shalla, Dean Research; and Mr. Sameer Wazeer, Finance Officer, who appreciated the initiative for promoting scientific learning and innovation.
The programme was coordinated by Dr. Muzaffar A Macha, organizing secretary of the program with the objective of equipping young researchers with advanced skills in AI-assisted drug discovery and translational medicine. Participants and experts commended the organisers for the quality of scientific deliberations and the effective integration of computational and experimental approaches.
The scientific programme featured keynote lectures, expert talks, and hands-on training sessions by eminent researchers. Topics included AI-driven drug discovery, molecular docking, lead identification, explainable AI in biomedical research, RNA-Seq data analysis, and therapeutic target identification. Speakers included Prof. Md. Imtaiyaz Hassan, Dr. Fayaz A. Malik, Dr. Manzoor A. Mir, Dr. Assif Assad, Dr. Nisar A. Dangroo, Dr. Aga Basit Iqbal, and Dr. Basharat A. Bhat.
A major highlight of the workshop was its focus on integrating computational predictions with laboratory-based validation. Participants were introduced to in vitro validation strategies and experimental workflows that demonstrated how AI-generated hypotheses can be translated into biological evidence, strengthening the drug discovery pipeline from computational discovery to clinical application.
The workshop concluded with a valedictory function where Prof. Shamim Ahmad Shah, Registrar, IUST, served as Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Dr. Showket Hussain, Scientist-E, ICMR–National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research, Noida, and Prof. (Dr.) M. R. Attri, Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar, as Guests of Honour. The speakers underscored the importance of collaboration among clinicians, biologists, data scientists, and computational researchers in advancing healthcare innovation.
Participants from universities, research institutes, medical colleges, and biotechnology organisations across India appreciated the workshop for its scientific rigour, practical orientation, and opportunities for interaction with leading experts. The successful completion of the programme marks another significant milestone for WCCMM and IUST in promoting excellence in research, innovation, and capacity building in AI-driven healthcare and translational medicine.
