Home ›› 12 Jun 2023 ›› Governance
Two Bangladeshi scientists have been recognised for their significant contributions to research and have been included in the esteemed “best and brightest” 100 Asian scientists list for 2023.
Dr Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury from Department of Zoology at Dhaka University and Dr Senjuti Saha from the Child Health Research Foundation have been honoured in the eighth edition of this list published by Asian Scientist, a Singapore-based magazine.
This year’s compilation features researchers and inventors from various scientific disciplines, celebrating their groundbreaking achievements that have transformed our world. Their work encompasses diverse areas ranging from understanding glacial cycles and structural geology to advancing space exploration.
In a press release, Asian Scientist Magazine acknowledged the ambition and dedication of Asia’s researchers, highlighting their endeavours to dream big and serve marginalized communities. The awardees, together with their teams, have accomplished remarkable successes by pushing the boundaries of the unknown.
Dr Gawsia Wahidunnessa Chowdhury has been recognised for her notable contributions in the field of sustainability. She is a professor of zoology at the University of Dhaka and holds a PhD in zoology (wetland ecology) from the University of Cambridge. Additionally, she serves as a board member of WildTeam, an internationally renowned conservation organisation dedicated to safeguarding Bangladesh’s rapidly disappearing natural assets.
Dr Gawsia’s efforts in conserving aquatic ecosystems and protecting vulnerable species in Bangladesh led her to receive the OWSD-Elsevier Foundation Award in 2022. She specifically focuses on addressing the risks associated with plastic pollution in the country’s waterways. Moreover, she empowers women from impoverished and marginalized communities, enabling them to transform discarded fishing nets into products such as carpets. This initiative not only creates alternative sources of income for women but also safeguards aquatic habitats.
On the other hand, Dr Senjuti Saha, a prominent young scientist in Bangladesh, has been recognised for her contributions to the field of life sciences. Her groundbreaking research identified the chikungunya virus’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and cause meningitis in Bangladeshi children, making her the first in the world to do so. Her team was the first to sequence the genome of SARS-CoV-2 in Bangladesh.
Dr Senjuti has received numerous domestic and international accolades for her outstanding contributions to medical science research, including the Women of Inspiration 2021 Award by Junior Chamber International, Bangladesh, and the Webby Award in 2020 for her work on Infectious Disease Detectives in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
