A researcher between equations and engineering.

Professional summary

Dr. Mudasar Zafar is an applied mathematician specialising in AI-driven mathematical modeling and computational intelligence for real-world engineering and sustainability challenges. His expertise spans nanofluid modeling, energy systems, machine learning, and data-driven modeling, with a proven track record of publishing in high-impact journals and leading interdisciplinary research projects in applied mathematics and engineering systems.

Extended bio

Dr. Mudasar Zafar is a Senior Lecturer in Applied Mathematics and Head of the Mathematics Research Cluster at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He earned his PhD in Applied Science (Mathematics) from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS in 2023, where his thesis developed mathematical models of nanofluid injection under magnetic fields for enhanced oil recovery across different geometries.

His research brings together computational fluid dynamics, nanofluid and hybrid-nanofluid heat transfer, and AI-driven surrogate modeling, applied to clean-energy and thermal systems including solar collectors and electric-vehicle battery thermal management. He currently leads two funded projects as Principal Investigator, including a MOHE Exploratory and Transformative Research Grant (GET) on nanofluids for battery thermal management, and co-supervises doctoral research at UTP on electromagnetohydrodynamic hybrid-nanofluid modeling.

Alongside publishing widely in Q1 and Q2 journals, Dr. Zafar serves as a Guest Editor and holds IOP Trusted Reviewer status. He is also a Strategic Research Mentor supporting the development of mathematically grounded, experimentally validated AI systems for industry. Across all of his work, his aim is the same: to translate mathematical modeling into practical, deployable solutions for sustainable energy and low-carbon technology.

Quick facts

Current role: Senior Lecturer (Mathematics), APU - since July 2025

Leadership: Head of Mathematics Research Cluster, APU

Field: Applied Mathematics, CFD, Nanofluids, AI/ML modeling

Active PI grants: 2 (MOHE GET; APU)

h-index: 10

ORCID: 0000-0002-5669-5839

Scopus Author ID: 57213077794

Education

PhD in Applied Science (Major: Mathematics)

Institution: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia

Years: 2020 - 2023

Thesis: Mathematical Modeling of Nanofluid Injection Using Magnetic Field for Different Geometries in Enhanced Oil Recovery

M.Phil. in Mathematics

Institution: Preston University Kohat, Islamabad, Pakistan

Years: 2014 - 2017

Field: Pure Mathematics. Thesis: Generalized Semi Topological Groups

MSc in Mathematics

Institution: University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Years: 2011 - 2013

Field: Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics

BSc in Mathematics

Institution: University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

Years: 2009 - 2011

Field: Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics

Professional Experience

Senior Lecturer (Mathematics)

Organisation: Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur

Period: Jul 2025 - Present

• Teaching undergraduate courses: Calculus, Engineering Mathematics, Actuarial Mathematics
• Module Leader for Calculus I, II & Engineering Mathematics
• Supervising undergraduate and internship research projects
• Contributing to curriculum design and course development

Strategic Research Mentor

Organisation: DevRolin

Period: Jul 2026 - Present

• Providing research mentorship in AI-driven mathematical modelling, machine-learning strategy, data-pipeline design, model validation, and scientific optimisation of production-grade AI systems
• Supporting mathematically grounded, experimentally validated AI solutions for local industry applications

Head of Mathematics Research Cluster

Organisation: Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur

Period: Jan 2025 - Dec 2025

• Applying for internal and external research grants
• Organising research workshops and training
• Driving Q1/Q2 publication output

Mathematics Lecturer

Organisation: Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur

Period: Jul 2024 - Jun 2025

• Teaching Calculus, Engineering Mathematics, Actuarial Mathematics
• Module Leader for Calculus I, II & Engineering Mathematics
• Supervising undergraduate and internship research projects
• Contributing to curriculum design and course development

Teaching Assistant / Graduate Research Assistant

Organisation: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Bandar Seri Iskandar, Malaysia

Period: Mar 2020 - Dec 2023

• Delivered tutorials for Engineering Mathematics I & II, Vector Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Computational Methods
• Facilitated MATLAB and Python practical sessions for data analytics and numerical computation
• Prepared teaching materials and led problem-solving sessions
• Evaluated assignments, quizzes and examinations
• Provided one-on-one academic mentoring

Mathematics Lecturer

Organisation: Virtual University of Pakistan, Kahuta Campus

Period: May 2016 - Jan 2020

• Taught Calculus, Mathematical Methods, ODEs, Mathematical Statistics, Linear Algebra
• Module Leader for Calculus and Linear Algebra
• Supervised undergraduate research projects and contributed to curriculum design

Contract Teacher (Internee)

Organisation: Government Degree College Kahuta, Pakistan

Period: Aug 2015 - May 2016

• Taught Calculus, Mathematical Methods and ODEs
• Module Leader for Calculus, Mathematical Methods and ODEs

Software & simulation

• MATLAB / Simulink
• ANSYS Workbench - Engineering Simulation
• COMSOL - Intermediate
• Python - Intermediate
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

Technical

• Mathematical Modeling
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
• Machine Learning for engineering applications
• Numerical & data-driven modeling

Languages

• English - Proficient (C1/C2)
• Urdu - Mother tongue