We are an international health research institute based in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Our research is addressing some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
We aim to ensure that our evidence and experience is widely shared.
Stay up to date with our research and activities.
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“I have been utilising empirical knowledge in the public health field, and it gives me immense joy to see the journey of intervention turning into practice.”
I was a student of science in my school days and my mother wanted me to become a doctor. However, I always felt that I would excel more in social science as from a very young age I used to go around my hometown and mingle with people from different social and economic backgrounds trying to understand their way of life. This led me to studying Anthropology for both my undergraduate and master’s degree. I also completed my MPH degree majoring in Reproductive Health. After graduation, I knew I wanted to have the type of job where my education would be an asset, thus I joined icddr,b where I would be able to combine my interests. My research career at icddr,b started from the entry level position, when I first joined at the field level as a Field Research Assistant in 2005, and within 9 years at icddr,b I have become an Assistant Scientist in 2014. I have worked in different public health fields including Maternal and Child Health, SRHR, family planning, HIV/AIDS, Nutrition, mHealth and health economics, etc. I have experience in both qualitative and quantitative research in both rural and urban communities of Bangladesh. I have also been involved with a monitoring and evaluation team for a community based maternal, neonatal and child health intervention implemented in urban slums of Bangladesh.
Currently I am working on projects that involve maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition, implementation research, and health systems management. I have successfully completed 17 research protocols as Principal Investigator and currently leading three other ongoing protocols.
I enjoy writing concept notes and proposals, analysing data and preparing reports to promote research and knowledge translation for policymakers, local and international community as well as other stakeholders. I try to learn people’s perception which is vital to design and implement public health research.
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Why I work at icddr,b:
As I enjoy working in research, I wanted to work at a research institution where I will be able to use my academic background in Anthropology and combine it with public health, thus I applied to work at icddr,b. icddr,b has also given me the opportunity to work as a Principal Investigator for numerous projects which I am very proud off. Programme evaluation and project management are my greatest skill.
Future plans:
I want to continue working on public health research focusing on health system and implementation research. I wish to be an Independent Scientist and continue my PI role for icddr,b. I came from the field, the field is my laboratory and I will be in the field whatever my position is. Field is the real place to learn and implement science as well.  Â
2014 - till date
Assistant Scientist, icddr,b
2010 - 2013
Research Investigator, icddr,b
2008 - 2009
MPH, State University of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2007 - 2010
Research Officer, icddr,b
2006 - 2007
Field Research Supervisor, icddr,b
2005
Field Research Assistant, icddr,b
2004
Field Researcher, Department of Anthropology, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh (CARE Bangladesh sponsored project)
2003
MSS in Anthropology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
2002
BSS in Anthropology, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Field Researcher, Department of Anthropology, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh (ILO sponsored project)
2001
Maternal and Child Health