Farzana Aslam is a physicist and astronomer. She is the professor of undergraduate studies in mathematics, physics and astronomy at Coventry University. She is also serving as the subject co-ordinator at Coventry University. Previously, she has served as a visiting professor of physics and astronomy at the Institute of Space and Planetary Astrophysics at Karachi University.
Farzana Aslam was born in Wah Cantt, a small town famous for its peaceful atmosphere and high literacy rate. Farzana attended at Wah Cantt Engineering College. She took a transfer to the University of the Punjab and gained her first degree of Bachelor of Science (BSc) in physics. She then moved to Islamabad where she attended Quaid-i-Azam University and completed her master's degree (MSc) in physics.
After her MSc, she later received her Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Laser and Quantum Physics. Farzana then travelled to United Kingdom to attend the University of Manchester. In 2005, she received her PhD in physics and astronomy from School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester. Same year, she joined a vibrant physics group 'Photon Physics Group' at the School of Physics and Astronomy where she specialised in Two-photon physics and Laser Photonics.
After her master's degree in physics, Farzana joined University of the Punjab as a lecturer where she taught undergraduate and post-graduate level physics.
After joining the School of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester University, she has been a vital researcher to the field of polymer composite sensitised with semiconductor nanoparticles, in order to achieve high response rate and diffraction efficiency as required for applications as data storage and processing. She has also taught undergraduate level mathematics and tutoring mathematics and physics to the university students.
Farzana has also been actively involved in the outreach programme through the Ogden Teaching Fellowship for the widening participation in engineering and physical sciences scheme of the University of Manchester. The purpose of this fellowship is to involve working scientists as role models for kids into the UK government schools to encourage young generation to study science and engineering. Due to her contribution, she was awarded a commendation award at the Photon 04 conference held by Institute of Physics at Glasgow in September 2004.
Farzana believes strongly that Pakistani women have great intellect and potential to participate in every profession. They can contribute positively towards the development of society and can play a vital role to build it on healthier and stronger foundations. They should realise their full potential in all spheres of life, especially personal, social, economic and political and should realise that they can attain all these along with maintaining their Islamic values.
