LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to DR AHMED ABDULLAH AZAD
‘GNOBB Lifetime Achievement Award 2025’ honors the eminent scientist, Ahmed Abdullah Azad, Ph.D. in recognition of his enduring vision, creativity, and enormous contributions to supporting the wonderful network of Bangladeshi biotechnologists, GNOBB. Dr. Azad completed his BSc (Hons) and MSc in Biochemistry from Dhaka University, and PhD and postdoctoral training at the University of Toronto. In 2000 he joined CSIRO’s Division of Biotechnology in Melbourne where he stayed for 19 years, the last ten as Chief Research Scientist in charge of the Molecular Biosciences, and the last five as Foundation Head of Molecular Virology at the Biomolecular Research Institute. In 2000 he was appointed inaugural Research Director and Professor of Medical Biotechnology at the University of Cape Town, where he helped establish the Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine. Since 2006, Prof Azad has promoted research capacity development in developing countries through Honorary Professorships at universities in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and South Africa. Significant research contributions include: Role of 5S and 18S rRNA in reversible association of ribosomal subunits during protein synthesis; Cloning and sequencing of Influenza Virus Neuraminidase that led to the development of the anti-flu drug Neuraminidase; Discovery and development of a subunit vaccine against IBDV (CSIRO Chairman’s Gold Medal); Role of Nef and Vpr proteins in HIV pathogenesis and development of anti-AID drugs. Prof Azad is a Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS); Islamic-World Academy of Sciences (IAS), Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Academy of Science of South Africa, and Royal Society of South Africa. He served on the Council of Scientific Advisors of International Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Trieste); Board of South African Medical Research Council; COMSTECH (OIC); and Secretary General of IAS. From all perspective – research, education, and organizational contributions – Professor Ahmed Abdullah Azad has been absolutely stellar as an international science leader. GNOBB is profoundly delighted to honor him and his work with the Lifetime achievement award.
Category 1 (a)-Outstanding Senior Scientist working in Bangladesh
This award goes to Dr. Jamilur Rahman for his outstanding scientific contribution to agricultural biotechnology in Bangladesh. Professor Jamilur Rahman is a distinguished scientist and educator at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, renowned for his pioneering contributions to plant breeding and biotechnology. With over two decades of dedicated service in the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, he has played a pivotal role in advancing agricultural research and education in Bangladesh. Dr. Rahman earned his Ph.D. from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, and completed his postdoctoral research at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Germany. His research portfolio includes 61 publications with significant breakthroughs in gene silencing, RNAi, plant breeding, and crop improvement. He has developed five registered crop varieties, including SAU Canola-1, white maize, and climate-resilient quinoa lines, contributing to national food security. He was previously recognized with awards such as the Young Scientist Award (2017) and Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani Award (2019). Dr. Rahman continues to drive plant breeding- and biotechnology-driven innovations to tackle the climate challenges and nutritional deficits in Bangladesh. As a mentor, institutional leader, and active member of scientific communities, Professor Rahman serves in national biotech policy forums and embodies excellence in research, mentorship, academics, and sustainable agricultural development in Bangladesh. GNOBB is overwhelmingly pleased to honor him and his work with the GNOBB AWARD 2025.
Category 1 (b)- Outstanding Early to Mid-career Scientist working in Bangladesh
This award goes to Dr. M. Nazmul Hoque for his outstanding contribution to the field of veterinary science in Bangladesh. Dr. Md. Nazmul Hoque is an Associate Professor at the Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU). Dr. Hoque earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree (2007) and MS in Theriogenology (2009) from the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) and received his doctoral (PhD) degree in Microbiology (2021) from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. He was a Visiting Researcher in the Computational Biology Institute (CBI), the George Washington University, Washington DC, USA for three months (February – April, 2018). Dr. Hoque received high-level training at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI-EMBL), Cambridge, UK (2018). Dr. Hoque received University Grants Commission (UGC) Gold Medal Award 2019, the NYAB (National Young Academy of Bangladesh) Outstanding Doctoral Research Award 2021, BSMRAU (Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University) Research Award 2022 (amongst top 5 researchers), and BSMRAU – Teachers Award (BSMRAU – TA) Awards for 2020, 2021 and 2022 for his outstanding academic and research accomplishments. Dr. Hoque has authored over 125 peer-reviewed articles, with a citation count of 2,955, an h-index of 27, and i10-index of 54 (as of July 2025). He serves as Guest Editor for Frontiers in Immunology and Asian Pacific Journal of Reproduction, and as Review Editor for Frontiers in Microbiology. His research specializes in genomics, metagenomics, mastitis, molecular host-pathogen interaction, reproductive biotechnology, and computational drug discovery, with a special focus on non-antibiotic therapeutics such as probiotics. He is also an elected Associate Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS). GNOBB is overwhelmingly pleased to honor him and his work with the GNOBB AWARD 2025.
Category 2 (b)- Outstanding Early-Mid career Non-resident Bangladeshi Scientist
This award goes to Dr. Mohammad Asraful Alam for his outstanding contribution to the field of sustainable biofuel and biochemical production. Dr. Alam is an Associate Professor at Zhengzhou University, where his research and teaching drove improvements in the high-value utilization of biomass. He made significant contributions to the field of biochemical engineering with his research investigations of biofuels and biochemicals production, bioremediation, and biosequestration of CO2. His research led to novel methods and original discoveries, resulting in over 105 peer-reviewed publications, 10 book chapters contributions, and 23 patents. His overall work related to the improvement of biofuels and biochemicals production, bioremediation, and biosequestration of CO2 approaches has been cited 6,848 times with h-index 42 (google scholar database) by peers. Dr. Alam has been selected as top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier database. For his contribution in research and teaching, he received Henan Provincial Academic Award, 2021 and Henan Provincial Department of Education Science and Technology Achievement Award 2022. Dr. Alam also serves as an editor of the two popular springer books titled “Microalgae Biotechnology for Development of Biofuel and Wastewater Treatment” and “Microalgae Biotechnology for Food, Health and High Value Products”. GNOBB is overwhelmingly pleased to honor him and his work with the GNOBB AWARD 2025.
The award ceremony will be held on September 27, 2025, at the GNOBB award session of the 6th ICBHA-2025 conference.