What are your primary research and scholarly interests?
One of the goals was to develop polymeric soft scaffolds that support cancer cell growth and development, and this work is within the scope of the material pillar. Biomimetic polymeric scaffolds with a broad spectrum of biophysical and biochemical cues that recapitulate the behavior of human extracellular matrix and support the growth of cancer cells and multicellular cancer spheroids (MCSs) that are essential tools for regulating cancer cell behavior. Our interest was to develop soft scaffolds with natural polymers for cancer cell growth and development. Among all types of scaffolds, arabinoxylan extracted from wheat bran in our lab was mixed with Na-alginate showed sustainable growth and development of cancer cells and MCSs. This natural polymer-based scaffold may be with excellent biocompatibility and tunable mechanical properties.
How does this tie into the work you are doing with ND-ACES?
One of the goals was to develop polymeric soft scaffolds that support cancer cell growth and development, and this work is within the scope of the material pillar.
Where are you from and where did you pursue your education?
I was born in Bangladesh, completed my Bachelor's in Agricultural Sciences, Master's in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and Ph.D. with commonwealth scholarship from the University of Wales, UK. I was a recipient of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Sciences fellowship and conducted postdoctoral Research at Chiba University, Japan. I came to the USA to undertake a postdoctoral research work at NDSU.
What excites you about ND EPSCoR?
Academic and research collaboration with the universities and colleges in North Dakota.
What motivates you?
North Dakota is one of the wheat growing states in the USA and in my research, I am using a polymer extracted from wheat bran.
If you could time travel, where would you go?
I would travel to Bangladesh.
If you could have coffee / tea with anyone, who would it be?
My students.
What was your first job?
Rice Breeder at Bangladesh Rice Research Institute.
What does your very best day include?
Spending some time with student researchers.
What’s your favorite quote?
“You were born to serve people.”