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"icddr,b made me a principal investigator at a very young age, immediately after my graduation. Now I lead the only WHO reference laboratory for G6PD point of care testing in the world."
My journey with icddr,b is very challenging yet highly rewarding. Even before I graduated from Zoology, I joined icddr,b as an elective fellow at the parasitology laboratory and started working on risk mapping and referral system of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar. In 2006, I became the principal investigator of a sandfly control project. Since then, my work has spanned from malaria, including drug resistance malaria, dengue, and now COVID-19. I was involved in the first malaria baseline surveillance conducted in 2007, based on which Bangladesh framed the malaria control programme. Over the years, I have expanded my strength in point-of-care diagnosis, classical parasitology, and medical entomology. In 2018, I led the baseline survey of insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti in Bangladesh, which significantly contributed to the management of the dengue outbreak in 2019 in Dhaka and helped save lives. I also lead the only World Health Organization (WHO) reference laboratory for point of care G6PD testing in the world. I am part of the team undertaking malaria surveillance in two areas in Chottogram hill districts – Bandarban and Alikadam. Since 2007, I have led the evaluation of more than 20 rapid diagnostic test kits for malaria, dengue, G6PD and COVID-19. I am also coordinating the phase 2 dengue vaccine trial developed by the National Institute of Health (NIH) in Bangladesh. The trail is currently ongoing at the Mirpur field site. I did my Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Dhaka, and postdoc in drug discovery from the Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Australia .Â
I have been collaborating with the Johns Hopkins University, USA; Menzies School of Health Resaerch, Australia, University of Notre Dame, USA; Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN), World Mosquito Programme, US CDC; National Malaria Elimination Programme; WHO; and several biotech industries across the world.
Why I work at icddr,b:
icddr,b has empowered me to take on challenges. The guidance, mentorship and freedom I received from my senior colleagues are unprecedented. I must say icddr,b is a dreamland for young students in the country wanting to dedicate their life in science and research and making a difference in public health.
Future Plans:
I want to discover new drugs for diseases caused by parasites often neglected in developed countries. I would also like to focus more on epidemiology, interventions, and vaccine research for malaria. Â
2021
Scientist, IDD, icddr,b
2017 - 2018
Post doc fellow, Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery, Australia
2016 - 2020
Associate Scientist, IDD, icddr,b
2015
PhD, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka
2012 - 2015
Assistant Scientist, CCD/IDD, icddr,b
2006 - 2011
Research Investigator, Parasitology Laboratory, icddr,b
2005 - 2006
Research Officer, CSD, icddr,b
2003 - 2005
Fellow Student, HSID, icddr,b
2005
MSc, Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka
2003
BSc (Hons), Department of Zoology, University of Dhaka
I am interested in parasitic infection and control. My research interests include anti-malarial drug resistance, point of care diagnostics, G6PD deficiency, and vector control. I have worked on several grants as PI or co-investigator and contributed in different capacities. I am also interested in vaccine/drug trials for vector borne diseases.
ICDDR,B New Researcher Award Winner in 2009.
FIT2 Fellowship award by WIPO in 2017.
