

Aparna Islam, PhD
Professor
Dr. Aparna Islam is teaching at the BRAC University in Dhaka as a Professor of the Biotechnology Program. She joined the university back in 2007 as an Assistant Professor. In June 2012, Aparna became an Associate Professor; five years later she assumed full professorship. Prof. Aparna Islam received PhD in 2005 from the Jawaharlal Nehru University for her work at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi. She was the first Pre-doctoral ICGEB Fellow from Bangladesh. For her PhD, she worked on proteomics, biosafety, and transgenic crop assessment against biotic stress. Upon returning home, Dr Islam became a post-doctoral fellow for a couple of years under a USDA-funded agricultural project at the University of Dhaka. Aparna got introduced to and learnt plant tissue culture and transformation while doing MSc in Botany at the University of Dhaka. She carried out her research on peanut as a fellow of the National Science and Technology (NST) under the Ministry of Science & Technology of Bangladesh. After completing post-graduation, Aparna worked as a research fellow at the International Jute Organization (IJO) in Dhaka before leaving for the ICGEB in early 2001. Over the past 12 years, Prof. Aparna Islam has explored her passion for teaching, research, and mentoring, at the BRAC University, in three major ways. Along with teaching, she actively conducted research on developing transgenic crops with useful genes ensuring safe use of biotechnology. So far, she has supervised theses of 25 students who have received their BSc/MS degrees. Dr Islam was also the Coordinator of MS Biotechnology Program for several years. Dr. Aparna Islam was the Principal Investigator of an agricultural research project funded by ‘BAS-USDA Endowment Fund’ under which several MS theses were completed and two labs, namely Plant Biotechnology Lab and Molecular Biology Lab, were established at the BRAC University. At the moment she is leading the research group “Plant Biotechnology and Biosafety Group”. A Finally, a former professional dancer herself, Dr Aparna Islam was also involved in co-curricular activities of her students. She was the Director of the Office of Co-curricular Activities (OCA) and the Advisor of the BRAC University Cultural Club (BUCuC). As a recognition of her contributions to the BRAC University, Dr. Aparna Islam was awarded the ‘Best Teacher 2014’ and the ‘2007-08 Vice Chancellor Award’ as Advisor of the BUCuC. Prof. Aparna Islam has been trained at home and abroad on biosafety. She has also been involved in various national projects aiming at strengthening the legal framework for biosafety. Currently, she is member of several committees of the Government of Bangladesh for biosafety’s legal framework development. Over the last two years, Aparna has been working on assessing perception of young minds about GM food as Bangladesh is in the post-release era. Aparna and her co-workers have so far published one book, one book chapter, thirteen original research papers, two review articles, and seven popular articles. Presently, Prof Islam is on leave at BRACU and joined the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) as the Country Manager of Bangladesh.
Address
BRAC University
66 Mohakhali, Dhaka - 1212
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Education
+–- Ph.D. in Plant Biotechnology, International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
- M.Sc. in Botany (thesis in Plant Transformation), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- B.Sc. (Hons) in Botany, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
- HSC, Dhaka Board
- SSC, Dhaka Board
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Publications
+–Book Chapter
Islam, A. (2011). Udbhit gene prokoushol: agrobactariumpoddhoti. In Bongshogoti Bidyar Mulkotha O Gene Prokoushol (pp. 305–314). Dhaka: Scholars Publications Ltd.
Journals
Datta, A., Chowdhury, M. N., & Islam, A. (2017). Transgenic crops targeting ion homeostasis machinery: Bangladesh perspective for adaptation to climate change to ensure food security. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 27(2), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v27i2.35029
Kashmery Khan, & Islam, A. (2017). Screening of agrobacterium mediated transient transformation of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ). Journal of Plant Science & Research, 4(2), 1–5.
Riva, S. S., Islam, A., & Hoque, M. E. (2017). In vitro regeneration and rapid multiplication of Dendrobium bensoniae, an indigenous ornamental orchid. The Agriculturists, 14(2), 24–31. https://doi.org/10.3329/agric.v14i2.31341
Sarker, R. H., Islam, M. N., & Islam, A. (2017). Screening of Agrobacterium Mediated Transient Transformation of Peanut ( Arachis hypogaea ). Journal of Plant Science & Research, 4(2), 1–5.
Parveen, F., Khatun, M., & Islam, A. (2014). Micropropagation of environmental stress tolerant local potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) varieties of Bangladesh. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 24(1), 101–109. https://doi.org/10.3329/ptcb.v24i1.19218
Razzaque, S., Mahdi, R., & Islam, A. (2014). Identification of synchronized role of transcription factors, genes, and enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana under four abiotic stress responsive pathways. Computational Biology Journal, 2014, 896513. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/896513
Islam, A. (2014). Establishment of a simple efficient in-vitro regeneration protocol for locally grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) cultivers of Bangladesh. GSTF Journal of Biosciences, 1(2), 25–30.
Islam, A., Chowdhury, J., & Seraj, Z. (2010). Establishment of optimal conditions for an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in four tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) varieties grown in Bangladesh. Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, 34(2), 171–179. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v34i2.6863
Islam, A. (2008). Preliminary risk assessment of a novel antifungal defensin peptide from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Applied Biosafety, 13(4), 222–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/153567600801300405
Islam, A., Hassairi, A., & Reddy, V. S. (2007). Analysis of molecular and morphological characteristics of plants transformed with antifungal gene. Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 36(1), 47–52.
Islam, A. (2006). Fungus resistant transgenic plants: Strategies, progress and lessons learnt. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 16(2), 117–138. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33846964858&partnerI...
Sarker, R. H., & Islam, A. (2000). Direct organogenesis from leaflet explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 29(2), 109–114. Retrieved from https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33745965721&partnerI...
Sarker, R. H., Islam, M. N., & Islam, A. (2000). Agrobacterium-mediated Genetic Transformation of Peanut. Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology, 10(2), 137–142.
Sarker, R. H., & Islam, A. (1999). In vitro regeneration and genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Dhaka University Journal of Biological Sciences, 8(2), 1–9.
Conferences
Chowdhury, J., & Islam, A. (2012). A comparative study on in-vitro regeneration frequency of four locally grown popular tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) varieties of Bangladesh. In 2nd Annual International Conference on Advances in Biotechnology (BioTech 2012) Proceedings (pp. 26–30). https://doi.org/10.5176/2251-2489_BioTech42
Islam, A. (2011). Climate change, emerging infectious diseases and food security. In Fifth International Botanical Conference 2011 Souvenir (pp. 44–45).
Newsletters
Islam, A. (2017). SABC 2017: A Platform for sharing experiences and paving future paths. South Asia Biosafety Program Newsletter, 14(10). Retrieved from https://ilsirf.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/10/ILSIRF_SABP_Octobe...
Islam, A. (2014). Perspective on the South Asia biosafety conference. South Asia Biosafety Program Newsletter, 11(10).
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Professional Activities
+–1. Country Manager, South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) from Nov 2018 till date.
2. Professor, Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka from July 2017 till date. https://www.bracu.ac.bd/about/people/aparna-islam-phd (on leave)
3. Head, Biotechnology Program, Self Assessment Committee (SAC), IQAC for bachelor and masters biotechnology programs, from 2016 till 2018.
4. Coordinator, MS in Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka from May 2015 till November 2017.
5. Associate Professor, Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, Dhaka from June 2012 till June 2017.
6. Director, Office of Co-curricular Activities (OCA), Student Affairs Office (SAO), BRAC University from January 2015 till August 2015.
7. Principal Investigator, Bangladesh Academy of Sciences-United State Department of Agriculture Program in Agricultural and Life Sciences (BAS-USDA-PALS) research project entitled Production of tomato tolerant to environmental stresses like salinity from 2010 till 2013.
8. Assistant Professor, Biotechnology Program, Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University from February 2007 till May 2012.
9. Chairperson (in charge) of the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at BRAC University from 31st August 2008 till 14th September 2008.
10. *Advisor, BRAC University Cultural Club, BRAC University from July 2008 till Sept 2009.
*received 2007-08 'Vice Chancellor's award for outstanding contribution to co-curricular activities' and advisor of the ‘Best Club’.
11. Post Doctoral Fellow of the project of United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) entitled “Improvement of lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.) through genetic transformation” from February 2005 till January 2007.
12. Pre-Doctoral Fellow of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) from January 2001 till December 2004.
*first person to receive the fellowship from Bangladesh.
13. Research Fellow at the Bangladesh Jute Research Institute (BJRI), Dhaka, under a project of the International Jute Organization (IJO) entitled “Application of Biotechnology in the Improvement of Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres” from March 1999 to December 1999.
13. National Science and Technology Fellows under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Bangladesh from 1st November 1997 to 28th February 1998.ASSOCIATION WITH PEER-REVIEWED JOURNALS
Editor
- Journal of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology (PTC&B) ISSN: 1817-3721: since 2011 till date; also responsible for online publishing of the Journal in BanglaJOL (since June 2008)
- International Journal of Biosciences (IJB) ISSN: 2220-6655 (Print): 2010-11
Reviewer
- Bangladesh Journal of Botany: since 2006
- Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy: since 2006
- Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology: since 2006
- African Journal of Plant Science: since 2008
- BRAC University Journal: since 2010
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Courses Taught
+–MS level
1. Plant Biotechnology BTC 501
2. Plant Biotechnology (Lab) BTC 502
3. Animal Tissue Culture Techniques and Applications BTC 503
4. Research Project Preparation BTC 506
5. Biostatistics and Experimental Design BTC 507
6. Seminar BTC 508
7. Fundamental and Applied Aspects of Plant Genetic Manipulation BTC 510
8. Sex, Flowers and Biotechnology BTC 512
9. Gene Function and its Regulation BTC 513
10. Recombinant DNA Technology BTC 518BSc level
11. Introduction to Biology BIO 10112. Introduction ot Biotechnology BTE101
13. Fundamentals of Genetic Engineering BTE 204
14. Advanced Molecular Biology BTE 307
15. Plant Biotechnology BTE 308
16. Biotech Lab IV BTE 355
17. DNA Fingerprinting and Molecular Diagnostics BTE 403 -
Conferences, Talks, and Speaking Engagements
+–International
- Islam. 2017. In planta transformation following cloning of Na+/H+ antiporter gene in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to develop salinity stress tolerant variety. 5th Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Bangalore, India, 11-13 September 2017.
- Khan and A. Islam. 2017. Establishment of Transient Transformation Protocol Along With Comparison of Regeneration Potential Following Introduction of Antiporter Genes in Peanut (Arachishypogaea L.). 3rd International Conference on Multidisciplinary Innovation In Business Engineering Science & Technology, Scopus indexing conference proceedings, Bangkok, Thailand, 5-6 April, 2017.
- R. Feisal and A. Islam. 2016. In silico analysis, homology modelling and comparison betweensalt tolerance determinants Arababidopsis thaliana Na+/H+ exchanger 1 and 2 (AtNHX1 and AtNHX2) proteins. 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December 2016.
* awarded the best speaker
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, S. Razzaque, Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2016. Genetic transformation of two tomato (SolanumlycopersicumMill.) explants by introducingNa+/H+antiporter gene to generate transgenics to resist salinity stress. 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December 2016.
- M. Chowdhury, S.Z. Shormee, A.T. Oshin, S. Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2016. In vitro regeneration of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.): a promising oil seed crop for the coastal region of Bangladesh. 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December 2016.
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, and A. Islam. 2014. Influence of growth regulators and selection agents on regeneration response of five tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) varieties from Bangladesh. 6th International Botanical Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 6-7 December 2014.
- Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2014. Comparison of regeneration response of two explants in six peanut (Arachis hypogeae L.) varieties from Bangladesh. 7th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1-3 March, 2014.
- M-E-M. Ferdous, A. Datta, S. Razzaque, Z.I. Seraj and Islam. 2014. Transformation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with antiporter gene following optimization of transformation factors. 7th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1-3 March, 2014.
- Khan, S. Rafiq, I.M. Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2014. Analysis of factors influencing successful Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation in three peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) varieties from Bangladesh. 7th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1-3 March, 2014.
- Mahdi, S. Razzaque, A. Islam. 2014. Identification of synchronized role of transcription factors, genes and enzymes in Arabidopsis thaliana under in four abiotic stress responsive pathways. 7th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1-3 March, 2014.
- Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2012. A comparative study on in-vitro regeneration frequency of four locally grown popular tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) varieties of Bangladesh. 2nd Annual International Conference on Advances in Biotechnology (BioTech 2012), Bangkok, Thailand, 12-13 March 2012.
- Chowdhury, Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2009. Establishment of a simple efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for locally grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) cultivars of Bangladesh. International Botanical Conference 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 16-18 January, 2009.
- Islam. 2008. Enhancement of biotechnology in Bangladesh: An experience-sharing for international collaboration. International symposium entitled ‘Regulatory and Safety Issues in the Commercialization of Biotechnology Research in the Developing World’, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2-4 December, 2008.
- Islam. 2007. A Chickpea Defensin for Improving Plant Biotic Resistance. International Summer School in Plant Molecular Biology entitled “A Biosystems Approach to Combat Plant Stress Effects in Arid Areas”, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany, 1 –13 July 2007.
- Islam. 2007. Plant defensin for improving plant resistance. International Conference entitled “Promotion of Biotechnology in Bangladesh: National and International Perspectives”, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 6-8, April, 2007.
- Islam. 2006. Plant biotechnological research in Bangladesh. Workshop entitled ‘Introduction to Biosafety and Risk Assessment for the Environmental Release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Theoretical Approach and Scientific Background’, Ca’ Tron, Italy, 6–10 March 2006.
- Islam and V.S. Reddy. 2005. Plant defensin peptide from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds as a source for improving plant resistance towards fungal pathogens. 3rd International Botanical Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 9– 11 December 2005.
awarded the best speaker
- Islam, A. Hassari and V.S. Reddy. 2004. AFP1-Ca, a defensin peptide from Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). 5th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 4– 6 December 2004.
- Islam and R.H. Sarker. 1999. In vitro regeneration and genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 3rd International Plant Tissue Culture Conference 1999, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 8– 10 March 1999.
National
- R. Feisal and A. Islam. 2015. In silicohomology modeling of salt tolerance determinant Arababidopsis thaliana Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (AtNHX1). Annual Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference 2015, Cox’s Bazar, 14 -15 December 2015.
- Jahan, S. Chowdhury, K. Khan and A. Islam. 2015. Transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) with salt tolerant gene (OsNHX1) following optimization of transformation parameters. Annual Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference 2015, Cox’s Bazar, 14 -15 December 2015.
- Razzaque, D. Chakraborty, M. Ferdous, S.M. Elias, S. Zaman, R.S. Tammi, A. Islam, Zeba I. Seraj. 2013. Cloning of Na+/H+ antiporter gene and establishment of in vitro regeneration protocol of tomato (Somanum lycopersicon) to develop salinity stress tolerant variety. Bangladesh Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Conference 2013, Chittagong, 12-13 January 2013.
- Chowdhury, K. Khan and A. Islam. 2013. Determination of an efficient regeneration protocol for peanut (Arachis hypigaea L.). Annual Botanical Conference 2012, Chittagong, 5 January 2013.
- Akter, U. Sarker, M.-E-M. Ferdous, S. Razzaque, Z.I. Seraj, A. Islam. 2012. Establishment of a reproducible in vitro regeneration protocol in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Annual Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference 2012, Sylhet, 30 November- 1 December 2012.
- Islam. 2012. Research in the field of plant biotechnology: An endeavor of BRAC University. BRACU-BRAC ARDC Workshop on Plant Biotechnology, BRAC University, Dhaka, 4 October, 2012.
- Chakraborty, S. Razzaque, M.-E-M. Ferdous, S. Zaman, A. Islam, Zeba I. Seraj. 2012. Molecular cloning of Na+/H+ exchanger gene from Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa for tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) transformation and conferring salt tolerance. Conference of the Bangladesh Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi, 25– 26 February, 2012.
- M-E-M Ferdous, Z.I. Seraj and Islam. 2012. Establishment of in vitro regeneration of farmer popular tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) varieties of Bangladesh. Annual Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference 2011, Irshurdi, Pabna, 6-7 January, 2012.
- Chowdhury, Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2010. Comparison of regeneration frequency of popular locally grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) varieties with commercial Indian variety. Annual Botanical Conference 2009, Chittagong, 9-10 January, 2010.
- Islam. 2009. Preparing to face challenges of climate change through agriculture biotechnology. International Young Scientists Congress, Dhaka, 29– 30 December 2009.
- Chowdhury, Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2009. Establishment of in vitro regeneration protocol in locally grown tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller). International Young Scientists Congress, Dhaka, 29– 30 December 2009.
- Islam. 2008. GM crops: Understanding the nexus between food security and biosafety. Sixth Annual Scientific Conference of CVASU, 2008, Chittagong, Bangladesh, 4-6 March 2008.
- Islam. 2007. Transgenic plants: looking through safety goggles. Topical Seminar of Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, BRAC University, 2nd August 2007.
- Islam. 2007. Plant biotechnology, transgenic plant and biosafety. Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference, Bangladesh, 9– 10 March 2007.
- Islam. 2005. Enhancement of biotechnology in Bangladesh: an experience sharing. Biotechnology Research and Practice in Bangladesh, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 25 June 2005.
- Islam and R.H. Sarker. 1998. In vitro regeneration and genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Biotechnological Research in Dhaka University, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 4 August 1998.
POSTER PRESENTATIONS
- Nadia Binte Obaid and Aparna Islam. Establishment Of Tissue Culture Protocol of Two Bangladeshi Sunflower Varieties (Helianthus annuus L.). 6th Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 11-13 September 2016.
- Jawad, Aparna Islam and M.H.M. Mubassir. 2018. Bioinformatics Approach of Structural Modeling and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Patter Recognition Receptor CORE. 6th Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, 11-13 September 2016.
- Khan and Aparna Islam. 2017. How our young generation perceive gm food crop. 5th Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Bangalore, India, 11-13 September 2017.
- M. Rahman, A. Datta, Z.I. Seraj and Aparna Islam. 2016. Tissue culture independent transformation of three tomato varieties with AtNHX1, a vacuolar antiporter for salinity tolerance. 8th International Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 3-5 December 2016.
Awarded the best poster
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, S. Razzaque , Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2016. An assessment of transformation techniques to develop transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) with the Na+/H+ antiporter gene cloned from rice (Oryza sativa L.). 4th Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Hyderabad, India, 19-21 September 2016.
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, S. Razzaque , Z.I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2015. Assessment of transformation techniques to develop transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum Mill.) with the Na+/H+ antiporter gene cloned from Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). 3rd Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Dhaka, 19-20 September 2015.
- Chowdhury, A. Islam and Z.I. Seraj. 2015. Analysis of transgenic tomato plants through GUS assay and PCR to confirm successful Agrobacterium-mediated transformation in Bangladeshi tomato varieties. 3rd Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), Dhaka, 19-20 September 2015.
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, S. Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2015. Comparison of regeneration response of five tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivars from Bangladesh. Annual conference of BAPTC&B 2014, Dhaka, 28 March 2015.
- Datta, M‐E‐M Ferdous, S. Razzaque, Z. I. Seraj and A. Islam. 2015. Attempts to develop transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) with the Na+/h+ antiporter gene cloned from rice (Oryza sativa). International Conference of Biotechnology in Health and Agriculture (ICBHA), 2015, Dhaka, 9-10 January, 2015.
- Chowdhury, A. Islam and Z. I. Seraj. 2015. An efficient Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol for four tomato varieties. International Conference of Biotechnology in Health and Agriculture (ICBHA), 2015, Dhaka, 9-10 January, 2015.
- Islam, S. Chowdhury, K. Khan, S. Rafiq and I.M. Chowdhury. 2014. Preparing for transgenesis in a cleistogamous crop: peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 2nd Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference, Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-16 September 2014.
- Rafiq and I. Chowdhury and A. Islam. 2011 Plant Biotechnology: to make the world green and to ensure food security. 10 year Celebration of Department of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, University of Dhaka, 29–30 January 2011.
- Islam and R.H. Sarker. 2006. Plant transformation, GM plants and biosafety. 3rd International Botanical Conference, Bangladesh, 9–11 December 2005.
- H. Sarker and A. Islam. 2000. Agrobacterium–mediated genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 3rd International Crop Science Congress, CCH Congress Centrum, Hamburg, Germany, 17– 22 August 2000.
- H. Sarker and A. Islam. 2000. Agrobacterium–mediated genetic transformation of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Annual Plant Tissue Culture Conference, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 25 October 2000.
- H. Sarker and A. Islam. 1999. Anatomical feature of morphogenesis of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 3rd International Plant Tissue Culture Conference, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, 8-10 March 1999.
- R.H. Sarker and A. Islam. 1998. In vitro plant regeneration from leaflet and cotyledon explants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.). 18th International Congress on Genetics, Beijing, China, 10– 15 August 1998.
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Awards, Honors
+–ACADEMIC AWARDS
- ‘Post-Doctoral Fellowship’ of the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) from February 2005 till January 2007.
- ‘Pre-Doctoral Fellowship’ of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) from January 2001 till December 2004.
- ‘Research Fellowship’ under the agricultural project entitled ‘Application of Biotechnology in the Improvement of Jute, Kenaf and Allied Fibres’ of International Jute Organisation (IJO) from March 1999 to December 1999.
- ‘National Science and Technology Fellowship’ under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Bangladesh from 1st November 1997 to 28th February 1998.
PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
- ‘Best Teacher 2014’ for outstanding achievement in teaching at BRAC University.
- 'Vice Chancellor's award 2007-08’ as ‘Advisor’ for exceptional contribution to co-curricular activities.
- Best Speaker award at the ‘3rd International Botanical Conference 2005’.
NON-ACADEMIC AWARDS
- First in Cultural Completion (Category: Manipuri dance) at the occasion of The Victory and National Day 1987 organized by Kochi Konther Ashor.
- Honors in Dhaka Music Festival 1987 organized by British Council, Dhaka
- Honors in Dhaka Art & Music Festival 1986 organized by British Council, Dhaka
- Honors in Dhaka Music Festival 1985 organized by British Council, Dhaka
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Membership
+–LEARNED SOCIETIES
- Life Member and Joint Secretary of the Executive Committee (2010-2016; 2018 till date), Bangladesh Association Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology (BAPTC&B). (2008)
- Executive Committee Member of Education Section (2016-2019), Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB).
- Life member, Dhaka University Botany Alumni Association. (2015)
- Life Member, Registered Graduate, University of Dhaka. (2012)
- Life Member, Bangladesh Botanical Society. (2008)
- Life Member, Bangladesh Association for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (BBABGE). (2008)
- Member of International Association of Plant Biotechnology (IAPB). (2007)
- Life member, Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologist (GNOBB). (2005)
- Member, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. (2008)
- Member, Bangladesh Society of Toxicology (BDSOT).
- Mentor, AoutherAID. (2011)
OTHER INVOLVEMENTS
- Head, Self Assessment Committee (SAC), Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC), BRACU (2015-2018) for both Bachelor and Masters Programs in Biotechnology.
- Member, Award Committee for best faculty, researcher and staff for 2016 (acted in 2017).
- Member, Committee for Academic Affairs (CAA), BRAC University (Since June 2012).
- Member, Thesis Examination and Evaluation Committee at Undergraduate and Post-graduate levels (Since 2007).
- Mentor, AuthorAID (authoraid.info) (Since March 2009).
- Member, Core Facilitation Team (CFT) of BRAC University for Faculty Development Initiative at BRACU (since August 2010).
- Contributor, Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologist (GNOBB)
- Advisor, BRACU Cultural Club (July 2008 till 2010).
- Thematic group member of ‘Cartagena protocol on Biosafety including Risk Assessment and Risk Management’ under National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) project.
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Research Areas/Interests
+–Leading the research group “Plant Biotechnology and Biosafety Group”.
1. Plant Biotechnology
2. Molecular Biology
3. Biosafety and Risk assessment -
Workshop/Seminar/Conferences
+–Biotechnology
- The Current Status of Golden Rice Research and Regulatory Issues organized by BARC and BRRI, Dhaka, 17 June 2015.
- BRACU-BRAC ARDC Workshop on Plant Biotechnology organized by BRAC University, Dhaka, 4 October 2012.
- BRACU-BRAC ARDC synergy meeting in the field of Plant Biotechnology organized by MNS Dept. BRAC University (BRACU), Dhaka, 27 May 2012.
- National Industrial Biotechnology Guideline organized by Ministry of industries (MoInd), GoB and BRAC University (BRACU), BRACU, 5 April 2012.
- Workshop on National Science and Technology Action Plan organized by Ministry of Science and Technology (MST), Dhaka, 22 March 2012
- National Crops and Forestry Biotechnology Policy Guidelines organized by Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology (MOSICT), GOB, Dhaka, 7 April 2010.
- Concluding workshop of Assistance in the Formulation of Enabling Regulatory Measures for Research and Sustainable Application of Biotechnology Project organized by BARC and Ministry of Agriculture, GoB and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dhaka, 20 December 2009.
- Inception Workshop on Strengthening the Legal Framework for Biotechnology organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Dhaka, 19 March 2009.
- A Biosystems Approach to Combat Plant Stress Effects in Arid Areas: a International Summer School in Plant Molecular Biology organized by Leibniz Universität Hannover, in Hanover, Germany, 1–13 July 2007.
- Inception Workshop on Implementation of Biotechnology Policy and its Application in Bangladesh organized by GNOBB, BRAC University and University of Dhaka, Dhaka, 28 December 2006.
- Public Hearing on GMO in Dhaka, Bangladesh organized by IUCN Bangladesh, IUPSU-MoEF and DANIDA, Dhaka, 12-13 February 2006.
- Awareness Building on the Recent Advances of Agricultural Biotechnology and Biosafety organized by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and Agriculture & Biotechnology Strategies (AGBIOS), Dhaka, 1-2 February 2006.
- Training Workshop on Improvement of Grain Legumes for Tropical Agriculture Through Gene Transfer: New Approaches and Biosafety Aspects organized by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, University of Hannover and University of Dhaka, Dhaka 12-17 February 2005.
Biosafety
- Training Workshop on Biosafety Regulations and Network Development, organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), GOB, UNEP and GEF, Dhaka, 30 June 2018.
- National Consultation Meeting of Biosafety Regulatory System, organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), GOB and South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), Dhaka, 23 April 2016.
- Consultation Workshop on Biosafety Regulatory Guidance, organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), GOB and South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), Dhaka, 12-13 March 2016.
- 2nd Annual South Asia Biosafety Conference, organized by the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 15-16 September 2014.
- Stakeholder Workshop on the Finalization of Guidelines for the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) of Genetically Engineered Plants organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), GOB and South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), Dhaka, 20 August 2014.
- International Conference on the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Crops organized by South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), Dhaka, 15-17 April 2012.
- Stakeholder consultation on the Stack-taking and Project Preparation towards Implementation of National Biosafety Framework (PINBF) organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), GOB and GEF, Dhaka, 25 October 2010.
- Training Workshop on the Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), GOB, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP), Dhaka, 16–20 July 2010.
- Stakeholders Meeting to Finalize the Draft Guidelines of Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants in Bangladesh organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) and South Asian Biosafety Programme (SABP), Dhaka, August 2009.
- National Workshop on Cartagena Protocol and Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) for Bangladesh organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Dhaka, 7 August 2008.
- Training Workshop on Biosafety Clearing House organized by the Department of Environment(DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF), Dhaka, 5-6 August 2008.
- Roundtable Discussion: Future Implementation of Sustainability of Biosafety Systems in Bangladesh organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), GOB, Dhaka, 10 May 2008.
- Training Workshop on Biosafety Clearing House organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), Dhaka, 28-29 July 2007.
- National Workshop on Development of the National Biosafety Framework for Bangladesh organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF), UNEP and GEF in Dhaka, 16 November 2006.
- Introduction to Biosafety and Risk Assessment for the Environmental Release of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs): Theoretical Approach and Scientific Background organized by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and Istituto Agronomico per I’Oltremare (IAO) in Ca’ Tron, Italy, 6-10 March 2006.
Biodiversity
1. Regional Workshop on Preparation of National Conservation Strategy (NCS) organized jointly by Government of Bangladesh and IUCN, Bangladesh Country Office, Barisal, 8 May 2016.
2. The World Wetlands Day organized jointly by the Ministry of Environment and Forests(MoEF) and IUCN, Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka, 2 February 2011
3. National Inception Workshop on Bangladesh Environment and Climate Change Outlook (ECCO) Report, organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka, 28-29 Sept, 2010.
4. Biodiversity National Assessment and Programme 2020 organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka, 14 July 2010.
5. Stakeholder Consultation on the 2010 Biodiversity Target National Assessment organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka, 14 October 2009.
6. Stakeholder Consultation on the Fourth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity organized by the Department of Environment (DoE), Dhaka, 14 October 2009.
7. Mid-term National Workshop on National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Global Environment Management organized by IUCN Bangladesh Country Office, Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 17-18 April 2007.
8. Final National Workshop on National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Global Environment Management organized by IUCN Bangladesh Country Office and the Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 28 October 2007.
9. Inception Workshop on National Capacity Self-Assessment (NCSA) for Global Environmental Management organized by IUCN Bangladesh Country Office and Government of Bangladesh, Dhaka, 23 July 2006.
Academician development
- Designing of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) curriculum for Tertiary Level organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU, Dhaka, 22 March 2018.
- Final workshopon "Post Self-Assessment Improvement Plan" organized by BBS SAC, IQAC, BRACU, Dhaka, November 30, 2017.
- Data Analysis and Self-Assessment Report Writing organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU, Dhaka, 16 February 2017.
- Quality Assurance, Institutional Review, Assessment Process and Accreditation Standards: Role of Teaching Faculty organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU, Dhaka, 12 March 2016.
- Self-assessment concepts and techniques organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU, Dhaka, 14 January 2016.
- Inaugural workshop of Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU organized by Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of BRACU, Dhaka, 05 October 2015.
- 4th TLC workshop on Experimental Teaching Learning with Core Facilitation Team of BRAC University (CFT) of BRACU on “Visualization in Participatory Programme (VIPP)” organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 7 January 2011.
- BRAC-BRACU Synergy Meeting organized by BRACU and BRAC, Dhaka, 20 December 2010.
- 3rd Experimental Teaching Learning Workshop with the Core Facilitation Team (CFT) of BRAC University on “Personal Development: Habits of Higher Performing Teachers” organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 21 October 2010.
- 2nd Experimental Teaching Learning Workshop with the Core Facilitation Team (CFT) of BRAC University organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 7 October 2010.
- 1st Experimental Teaching Learning Workshop with the Core Facilitation Team (CFT) of BRAC University organized, organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 16 September 2010.
- 3rd Consultation Workshop on Best Practices in Teaching at BRAC University organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 22 August 2010.
- 2nd Consultation Workshop on Best Practices in Teaching at BRAC University organized by TLC of BRACU, i Dhaka, 5 August 2010.
- 1st Consultation Workshop on Best Practices in Teaching at BRAC University organized by TLC of BRACU, Dhaka, 12 July 2010.
- Capacity Building in Bangladesh Institute of Higher Education organized by BRACU in coordination with American Institute of Bangladesh Studies, Dhaka, 4-7 August 2007.
Others
- Bangladesh Dialogue event on enabling equitable research system: a road map for excellence, organized by International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) and Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), Dhaka, 5-6 November 2018
- Challenges of Young Women Scientists in New and Emerging Sciences organized by Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), Dhaka, 24-25 March 2012.
- Road map for Bangladesh towards Education for Sustainable Development at BRAC University jointly organized by BRAC University and UNESCO, Dhaka, 4-5 March 2012.
- Master Mind School visit as a part of the BRAC University School Visit (outreach) Program, 3 March 2011.
- European Standard School visit as a part of the BRAC University School Visit (outreach) Program, 12 October 2010.
- Prioritization of Research under the Program in Agricultural and Life Sciences, a BAS-USDA collaborative Research Endeavor organized by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences’ (BAS), Dhaka, 13-14 March 2009.