Rana Waqar Tabish, Ph.D

Rana Waqar Tabish, Ph.D

  • Postdoctoral Fellow
  • Department of Poultry Science
(334) 444-6996
rzt0054@auburn.edu
301F Poultry Science Building
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Dr. Rana Waqar Tabish is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Poultry Science at Auburn University. Holding a Ph.D. in Poultry Science, a Graduate Certificate in Computational Biology from Auburn, and a DVM from the University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Pakistan, his expertise spans veterinary medicine, poultry nutrition, and bioinformatics. Dr. Tabish’s research focuses on mitigating necrotic enteritis in antibiotic-free broiler production using targeted nutritional strategies. He leverages multi-omics data, including transcriptomics and metagenomics to understand how dietary factors modulate the intestinal microbiome and host physiology. Currently, his work investigates the metatranscriptomic surveillance of viral and protozoal loads in healthy Alabama broiler flocks, alongside the in vitro culture of Eimeria to study mixed infections and evaluate anticoccidial programs. He has presented his research at major poultry conferences across the United States and serves on the Board of Directors for the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP).

Education

  • DVMUniversity of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (UVAS), Lahore2020

  • Ph.DAuburn University2025

  • Graduate CertificateAuburn University2025

Professional Experience

  • Postdoctoral Fellow – Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, AL (2026–Present)
  • Graduate Research Assistant – Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, AL (2022–2025)
  • Graduate Teaching Assistant – Department of Poultry Science, Auburn University, AL (2024)
  • Poultry Veterinarian – Ibrahim Poultry, Sahiwal, Pakistan (2020–2022)
  • Internee Researcher – Research Center for Conservation of Indigenous Cattle Breeds, Jhang, Pakistan (2020)
  • Undergraduate Student Assistant – University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan (2018–2019)

Research

  • Metatranscriptomics & Pathogen Surveillance: Conducting metatranscriptomic surveillance of viral and protozoal populations in healthy commercial broiler flocks in Alabama to establish baseline health parameters and monitor pathogen loads.
  • In Vitro Disease Modeling: Culturing Eimeria spp. in vitro to model mixed enteric infections, facilitating the evaluation of pathogen interactions and the efficacy of commercial anticoccidial programs.
  • Nutritional Immunology & Gut Health: Investigated the mitigation of subclinical necrotic enteritis in antibiotic-free broiler production systems. Evaluated the physiological impact of dietary interventions specifically varying calcium concentrations, limestone particle sizes, and soluble/insoluble fiber sourceson intestinal histopathology and barrier integrity.
  • Multi-Omics Integration: Utilizing advanced bioinformatics to integrate 16S rRNA microbiome profiling, shotgun metagenomics, and RNA-seq transcriptomics. This multi-omics approach is used to elucidate the complex interactions between host gene expression, diet, and the gastrointestinal microbiome during enteric challenges.
  • Veterinary Diagnostics & Molecular Assays: Developed a farmer-friendly, PCR-based molecular diagnostic assay for the detection of anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus, and engineered a modified adjuvanted vaccine against Hemorrhagic septicemia.
  • Population Genetics: Conducted quantitative and qualitative DNA testing and genetic trait analysis to inform breeding strategies for the conservation of indigenous cattle breeds.

Extension Experience

  • Poultry Extension & Education: Presented at the UF/IFAS Extension Holmes County Poultry Education Conference in Bonifay, FL, focusing on backyard and small-scale poultry operations. Delivered educational seminars on poultry diseases, vaccination protocols, and biosecurity, directly engaging with local producers and youth to improve flock health and management practices.
  • Youth Mentorship & STEM Outreach: Served as a Group Leader and Volunteer for the Poultry U Youth Camp at Auburn University (2023). Guided middle school students through hands-on poultry science activities, assisted with camp coordination, and supported educational demonstrations to foster early interest in agricultural sciences and poultry health.