This time Scientific Bangladesh interviewed Md Gulam Musawwir Khan. He is about to complete
PhD. He has shared very interesting and helpful insights and tips for PhD life. Not to be missed what he says
1. Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: A dynamic and passionate researcher in Cancer Biology with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular/ cellular biology, cell signaling & genomics. I have over 10 years of research experience in working with human and mouse cancer cells as well as primary cells in vitro. I have extensive knowledge of the hepatocellular carcinoma, including oncogenic cell signaling pathways, transcription factors and epigenetics, oxidative stress, gene expression analysis, and protein analysis. I also have experience in molecular cloning techniques, CRISPR knockout, generation of stable cell lines, RNAi techniques, analysis of the cell cycle, cell death pathways, flow cytometry, ELISA and ICS, IF/Confocal microscopy. I have rigorously trained myself during my Ph.D. to use transgenic mouse models to identify the carcinogenic potential of drugs and carcinogenic agents. Moreover, I have a passion for mining TCGA genomics data to explore the genetic correlation, prognostic markers for different cancers. As part of my professional research career, I was the principal investigator on two independent clinical research projects in ICDDR,B. My responsibilities in ICDDR,B included experimental design/execution, supervision of junior researchers, collaborative management, budgeting/resource management, data analysis, and communication. I am a researcher with proven track records of scientific communications, leadership, and analytical skills. I have published many scientific articles/reviews (as first author and co-author) in reputed international journals defining new scientific concepts and also been invited for poster and oral presentations in national and international conferences.
Summary of Education:
01/2015- till date: Ph.D. Immunology, at Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. (tentative date of completion May 2021)
01/2012- 12/2014 : MSc in Biochemistry at Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
04/2006-10/2007: MSc in Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
05/2000-11/2005: BSc (Hons) in Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: After my Masters in Microbiology, I joined ICDDR, B in the parasitology laboratory. During my work, I got interested in molecular and cellular biology. I felt that I needed more skills and training in this area. There was little scope to gain those experiences in Bangladesh. So I move to Canada to gain my PhD.
3. Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: I had a passion to learn state-of- the art molecular biology techniques. So I have started writing to professor in Canada. I choose Sherbrooke University because of its lower living cost and manageable tuition fees. However, the French is a challenge here in everyday life.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: I started with a Master’s in Biochemistry. First, you need some knowledge and work experience that aligned with the work in the lab you are applying. For example, if you are applying to a lab that is working on the Yeast model, you should convince them that you have, at least, some experience in microbiology and you have some courses on yeast and cloning and molecular biology. Some publications in the related area will give a positive booster in your application.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: Before writing to any professor do enough research about his work and see whether you really fit in there. In PhD, nobody will train you from the scratch especially in Canada. Sometimes it might help to start with a Master’s and convert to PhD. It will give you enough scope to gain experience and get more confidence in your Ph.D. And it always good to have some related research experience before applying to Canada.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What are mistakes one should avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: Many students write a BIG and LONG email (like a cover letter.). Write an email in 2-3 short paragraphs ( each with 2-3 sentences) just expressing your interest in his research and your qualifications and experiences. And request for having an online interview. Your cover letter and CV will be in the attachment. CV should be in short 2 pages mostly focusing your education and job experience and mention the technical skills you have acquired. PLEASE DONT WRITE THE LIST OF COURSES YOU HAVE DONE IN BACHELOR OR MSC. It might be irritating to the professors.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: I am submitting my Ph.D. thesis by Article. The rules here, you have to have one published article and one should be under revision
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: In Canada, you have to choose a supervisor before applying. As I have done my MS here, I had the opportunity to choose my supervisor for PhD by personal communication.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan:
Discuss your progress and work more frequently. Always discuss some new ideas with him. Any interesting article you have read share with him. Try to participate in writing a review article with him. The supervisor is like a godfather in North America. So your goal is to have his trust in you.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: Always discuss with them no matter the discussion may be about the non-laboratory things. Always extend your help to them. Go for the Friday evening party. Don’t make yourself isolated from others in the laboratory just because of cultural or religious difference.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: If you have a family living with you try to make some travel with your family on weekends. Try to talk with some seniors regarding your stress. Take Ph.D. as a life-style and learn to make a work-life balance. Some PhD started overworking which ultimately make them exhausted by the end of PhD. Always keep some personal time for yourself, talk with F&F, and go for outing.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: Normally 5 days, because my work is regarding cell-line and animal. Occasionally, I have to be in the lab for few hours if I have to take care of animals or taking care of other lab absentee members’ staff. But I don’t make it a habit to go on the weekend. I always take 3 weeks of summer vacation which I spend in my own way. We also get 2 weeks of Christmas vacation.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: PhD is considered as training for a career in Research. What 1. technical and 2. Soft skills you are focusing to develop or developed by this time?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: I can only suggest about biological career. Gain your skills and learn as many techniques as possible during your PhD. 99% of PhD will not gain any academic position. But don’t disappoint! you have a lot more scientific jobs waiting in pharma and biotech. You can be a brilliant scientist with higher pay than academia. Today Ph.D. has a more versatile career in the industry.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Md Gulam Musawwir Khan: I have got a few postdoc/job offers even before my Ph.D. has completed. One of them is in Canadian Nuclear Laboratory which I am considering actively. If I get the right opportunity in Bangladesh, I will definitely go back to Bangladesh in near future. However, right now I would like to make myself more trained in the area of my research.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Stay focused, stay motivated, develop your skills through training/job, build a network through LinkedIn, make yourself visible.