Hi, I'm Manaal.
I trick biotech into saving the planet. Occasionally, it tricks me back.
Side note: Just an A Level student who settles disputes between bacteria, chases solutions that might save the planet, and treats every explosion as a paid lesson.
The highlight of my failure log? Culturing a 🦠 strain that learned to disobey its own code. I called it a "learning curve." The lab called it "The Incident." I was almost proud.
⚠️ REQUIRED GEAR: Lab coat. Safety goggles. The ability to laugh when your experiment implodes. No whining allowed.
Manaal Fatima
PYNT Finalist • IESO Alumna • Aspiring Biotech Innovator
I am a biotech enthusiast with a deep commitment to environmental sustainability, a particular passion for microbial solutions, and the occasional tendency to name my favorite agar plates. I bridge lab work, synthetic biology, 3D modeling, and environmental science to tackle plastic degradation and climate resilience, and the eternal question of whether bacteria will cooperate today. The mission? Deploy biotech where it matters, revive the planet, and keep going— even when the bacteria have other plans.
Experience
Competitor & Selected Participant
- Selected as one of the few students nationwide to represent Pakistan at the International Earth Science Olympiad, organized by IGEO and held in Shandong, China.
- Contributed to the team's first historic achievement — winning multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals.
- Delivered a presentation on the historical flood situation in Pakistan, highlighting critical environmental issues.
National Finalist · Pakistan Young Innovative Minds (PYIMS)
- Selected to represent the Pakistan team as a National Finalist at the International Young Naturalist Tournament (IYNT).
- Collaborated with a diverse team to develop innovative solutions and strategies, advancing to the top 6 teams.
- Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills while competing against top teams globally.
Skills
💻 Web Development
- Developed websites using Adobe Dreamweaver and various external software tools.
- Enhanced user experience through responsive design and optimization techniques.
🧬 3D Designing
Building foundational skills using Benchling and PDB-101. Beginner · Ongoing
🎤 Presentation & Analytical Skills
- Authored and delivered two presentations on distinct topics during the PYNT tournament while in Grade 9, demonstrating strong research and public speaking ability at an early stage.
- Served as an opposer and reviewer, sharpening analytical and critical evaluation skills.
🏀 Competitive Sports
Earned 7+ gold medals in competitive basketball, sharpening observational instincts, disciplined training habits, and strong team coordination.
Education
Lahore Grammar School OPF
O Levels & A Levels
LIVING PROJECTS
Under construction, like most of my life decisions.
🧫 Inoculated
What I've grown. Literally and metaphorically.
Colony 1 — 2024
The Rookie Phase
- Inoculated with: Enthusiasm and a clean lab coat.
- Growth: Slow. Needed more nutrients (i.e., sleep).
- Contaminants: Imposter syndrome. Survived anyway.
🔬 Click to view under microscope
Colony 2 — 2025
The Rebellious Phase
- Inoculated with: Bacterial drama and failed experiments.
- Growth: Explosive. Too much. Had to be contained.
- Contaminants: Hubris. Learned my lesson.
🔬 Click to view under microscope
Colony 3 — 2026
The Diplomatic Phase
- Inoculated with: Environmental solutions and Strain culturing.
- Growth: Steady. Controlled. Professional.
- Contaminants: Still a little messy. But we're getting there.
🔬 Click to view under microscope
The Alien of Biology: NPC-220
This thing checks IDs at your nucleus's front door 30 million times a minute.
🔬 Fact #1 of 3
It's basically a bouncer club for your genome — checking IDs on every molecule that wants in or out of the nucleus.
Structure reference: PDB 7R5K · NIH 3D Print Exchange