Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point?
I did my BSc (Hons) and MS in Microbiology from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Shortly after joining Primeasia University (Bangladesh) as a lecturer in Microbiology, I received a scholarship to pursue my second MS in Medical Biotechnology from Abertay University, Scotland. I completed my degree with Distinction and an award for my original research project on deciphering antibiotic resistance mechanism. I was awarded a full-funded PhD scholarship from the University of Leeds to explore new approaches to discovering natural antibiotics. I joined Imperial College London as a postdoctoral Research Assistant right after submitting my PhD thesis to learn bioinformatics.
In 2019, I joined Dr Vincenzo Abbate's group at King's to lead an exciting research to screen radiolabelled compounds (radiotracers) against bacterial pathogens for infection detection. I led two successful projects and developed a bacteria-specific diagnostic radiotracer through in vitro screening.
What is a typical day like for you?
There is no typical day for me, but I write down my to-do list every morning, which could be a combination of desk jobs, lab work, reading, writing papers or grants, or just focusing on writing if there is a submission deadline. I set my monthly goal and prioritise my activities. Some days, I work from home.
What do you think people in the School would find most surprising about you?
From PhD to Postdoc, I was blessed with four beautiful children!
Do you have any current projects that you’d like to tell us about?
My research is to develop infection diagnostics based on total-body positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computerised tomography (CT) scan that could locate and detect microbial pathogens. The lack of image-based infection diagnostics is an unmet clinical need, particularly for immunocompromised patients such as cancer or transplant patients. I explore natural and synthetic molecules and radiolabelled with gallium-68 (radioisotope) to target microbial pathogens. One such molecule is microbial siderophore, which transports the essential transition metal iron(III) (Fe3+) into microbial cells from the surrounding environment and can be designed as bacterial- and fungal-specific radiotracers.
Starting in June 2024, I am undertaking a new challenge to evaluate novel radiotracers (siderophore-based) for in vivo imaging of invasive fungal infections. This project is funded by IAA MRC and I am co-leading it in collaboration with clinicians from KCH and scientists from UKSHA. The goal of this study is to develop tracers with enhanced specificity for fungal pathogens including Candida auris, C. albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus. These tracers may be capable of differentiating between species, providing information on the location and spread of the infection, and reflecting the underlying biology of iron deficiency. I will employ an alternative in vivo insect infection model for the early preclinical evaluation of these radiotracers and for screening and assessing new antifungal agents for multi-drug resistant C. auris.
What do you do with your time outside academia/work?
I am a very busy mother. I spend time with my kids after I go home, for instance, reading books to little ones, chatting about what happened at their school, helping with their studies, and sometimes talking about my research, as my daughters are fascinated by science. At the weekends and holidays, we visit different places.
Who inspires you most and why?
My family! My children are my absolute inspiration. I start my day with their smile, and when I get home, their smile takes away all of my tiredness. My husband is my source of strength. He, along with my children, made sacrifices for my career.
What is your favourite thing about working at King’s?
I love King's multicultural, flexible, and supportive environment. I love and enjoy the flexibility of being a researcher. Furthermore, I appreciate the opportunity to develop my career step by step at King’s with an excellent mentor.
QUICK-FIRE:
Favourite season: Summer
Favourite cuisine: Turkish
One thing you could not go a day without: My kids' smiley faces!
Most-used emoji: Love