Arif, while pursuing a bachelor's in chemistry (Hons) at Aligarh Muslim University, was fascinated by X-ray crystallography, which can reveal the atomic-level details of a protein structure.

After obtaining a Master's in Biochemistry, he secured a prestigious national fellowship to pursue the Ph.D. program at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. During his doctoral research, Arif received comprehensive structural biology and biochemistry training. During his Ph.D., Arif studied the underlying mechanisms of helicase-primase dynamics in pathogenic bacteria and host-pathogen relations. It was when he became interested in cell signaling and its role in human health and diseases.

Following the completion of his Ph.D., Arif joined the MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit (MRC-PPU), where his expertise in structural biology and biochemistry made significant contributions to the understanding of deubiquitinases and their role in ubiquitin signaling pathways.

Now, in the De Cesare Lab, Arif is delving into the realm of non-canonical ubiquitin conjugating enzymes (E2s), exploring their capacity to attach ubiquitin to various amino acids and biomolecules beyond lysine, including serine, threonine, and sugars. His primary focus lies in deciphering the underlying mechanism of the non-canonical E2s, UBE2Q1 and UBE2J2, utilizing a range of techniques such as protein biochemistry, structural biology, and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry.

Arif aims to continue exploring the role of biomolecular interactions in ubiquitin signaling in human health and diseases.