This time scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Tariful Islam. He is a PhD student at Texas Tech University in the USA. He has shared his experience and insights for future PhD students. Here is what
he says
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Tariful Islam: Hi, I am Tariful Islam a Ph.D. candidate and teaching assistant at the Department of Nutritional Sciences (NS) at Texas Tech University (TTU). In 2010 I earned my B.Sc in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from Khulna University, Bangladesh. Then I worked several years in a biopharmaceutical company of Bangladesh on bacterial and yeast system-based research & development of therapeutic proteins like GCSF and insulin. Following this, in 2017 I received a research fellowship at Juntendo Medical University and Yakult Central Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. Finally, in 2018 I joined the Department of Nutritional Science at TTU. This is briefly who I am. Talking about my institute, TTU is in the west of Texas in a small city called Lubbock. You can check detail about TTU at https://www.ttu.edu/. There are so many Bangladeshi students at TTU. In fact, we ranked number 3, in terms of % of students from different countries, after China and India. The Bangladeshi community is very helpful and friendly at TTU. My doctoral research investigates the role of gut bacteria in mediating anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory protective effects of the bioactive plant polyphenol, curcumin, in mouse models of high-fat diet-induced obesity. In summer 2020 I have successfully defended my Ph.D. proposal and optimistic to be graduated in Spring 2022.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Tariful Islam: That is a nice question. I think it is my passion for research that moved me for pursuing a Ph.D.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Tariful Islam: I chose the institution first considering weather and community. I wanted to pursue my Ph.D. in a city that is not so cold – I am not a big fan of winter! Florida, Texas, and California is such States where I was eying to apply. TTU has a high reputation as a Bangladeshi student-friendly campus. Some of my seniors were studying at TTU and they suggested me to apply. Next comes the Department and Professor selection. I didn’t have any choice for a specific graduate program, but I wanted to stay in my chosen research area – which is microbiota-linked obesity. Fortunately, several departments of TTU were doing microbiota related research and I was attracted by the research projects of the Department of Nutritional Science where I am affiliated now.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Tariful Islam: It is department-specific. For example, the details of NS can be found at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/ns/masters/masters_details.php. Considering the pandemic, many graduate programs of TTU have waived GRE requirements for 2020-21 which may continue next year as well.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Tariful Islam: I can share what I did during my admission. 1.I knew my research interest and accordingly able to list down prospective Professor’s name 2. I read their recent publication and emailed them telling how can I contribute to their research? When my PI was convinced, she asked for a Skype interview. I took preparation for the interview with possible questions and made sure I am not nervous while talking in the interview. She was convinced and helped me a lot. After accepting the position, I asked my professor which factor helped my admission most? She said GPA, GRE (now GRE is waived for pandemic), research publication, CV, strong recommendation letters, and SOP all are equally important factors for getting the admission.
6. Scientific Bangladesh: What are mistakes one should avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Tariful Islam:
This is a crucial question, and I will be a bit descriptive on it.
1) Not studying the prospective professor: Research the professor’s recent work and try to study their recently funded project. You can find this info from the professor’s CV. This way you can tell them indirectly that you are interested in their work.
2) Not knowing the reason for emailing a professor: Let them know why you want to join in a specific project and how can you contribute to the project.
3) Improper designation: Using “Dear Sir” gives an impression that you are sending a general email. You need to be specific. Designate them with “Dear/Hi Dr. Last name”. Never designate them with their first name.
4) Emailing on weekends: Some professors can start enjoying weekends from Friday afternoon. So try to email them Mon-Thu, during US working time. If you email them on weekends you might not get a reply.
5) Giving email ID an unprofessional look: Make sure your email id does not carry silly words like “angel”, “big boss”. Just get an ID centering your full name.
6) Casual Email subject and content: Always add “Prospective Student” in the email subject and do not add any link, like LinkedIn profile, in your email content. You can add a LinkedIn link to your CV attach it.
7) Sending a descriptive email: Professors are very busy. If they see a descriptive email from a prospective student, they might not read it. Send a brief 3-4 lines email.
8) Not taking care of CV: Add a CV/Resume of 2-page long max. Some professors like to see your CV first. Please take care of your CV. You can search and download any Professor’s editable CV and just edit it according to your profile.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Tariful Islam: First, I had to generate some preliminary data from a similar project from my lab. After that, I formulated a new proposal which I had to present to my Ph.D. committee. After some modification, my proposal was accepted. Next, I had to write a related but different review paper in three weeks of time which was my qualifying exam. In the meantime, I had to submit one research paper, contributed to a review paper, and research proposal writing which were counted during my progress to the Ph.D. candidate. I will work another year in the lab and will try for another research and review paper publishing. After wrapping up my wet lab work, I will need to submit my dissertation paper and I must complete a minimum of 72 hours, of course, hours within my graduating semester. If there is no major problem with my dissertation writing and I can defend my dissertation presentation, I can be affirmative to get the Ph.D. degree.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Tariful Islam: In previous questions I discussed on this topic.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Tariful Islam: It is important to maintain a good relationship with the PI. In my case, TTU has given me some training on communication skills that helped me. For example, in our country, we often avoid discussion or asking questions to the teachers due to respect or fear. But in the US, the relationship is friendly yet respectful to each other. I always express my concerns and make sure I am not overlooking any instruction given by my PI. If I feel my PI is not happy with me, for any reason, I ask time for a one-to-one discussion and minimize our gaps. I believe clear communication with the PI is the key to a good relationship.
10.Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Tariful Islam: By helping them as much as I can. It never hurts teaching them a new technique and give them a handy suggestion on experiments, data analysis, or literature search. Going for lunch or dinner, as a team, can be a plus point.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Tariful Islam: I see Ph.D. as a marathon race. There will not be progress every week. Sometimes I may find myself surrounded by many deadlines. But I know, if I take time and plan accordingly, I can be at the finish line, slowly but surely. I was very stressed in Japan as there I was alone. But now my wife and kindergarten-going girl are with me which is great mental support for me. I play with my daughter at home and outdoors, make our Fridays enjoyable with good foods and indoor games. At the same time make sure I am staying well connected with my family and friends in Bangladesh. Regular prayer, helping my wife in cooking, and enjoying formula one motorsport are other forms that help me stay positive.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Tariful Islam: It depends. In our lab, there is no such rule. I can decide when to go. However, I make sure I am progressing every week and send my progress report to my PI every week.
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?
Tariful Islam: Learning technical skills are important for getting reliable data. For my research, I have tried to learn qRT-PCR, next-generation sequencing, mass spectroscopy, data analysis by R and Biostatistics. However, soft skills learning during my Ph.D. life is coming from outside of my graduate course works. Teaching undergraduate students, mentoring them in the lab, lab presentations, poster presentations, 3MT presentations, developing networks, etc are giving me confidence. I try to compete in all available competitions just to improve my presentation skills and overcoming the fear of public talking.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Tariful Islam: I am not sure what is waiting for me tomorrow even if I make my feasible wish list. The realistic future of mine would be to complete my remaining research and get a Ph.D. degree. I will be happy if I can contribute to the pharmaceuticals and food sectors of Bangladesh.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Tariful Islam: 1) Know your strength and weakness. Dedicate 2-3 hours every day to improving your weaknesses. 2) Maintain good communication with your university seniors who are studying abroad. Generally, most Bangladeshi students are very helpful. 3) GRE and GPA scores are important but not decisive factors. If you have a low GRA or GPA, try to backup it with some review/research publication. If you cannot publish it in international journals, go for local journals but make sure you published it.
16.Scientific Bangladesh: Would like to share your weekly story with other PhD students? If yes, register at www.scfbd.net
Tariful Islam: NO
Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you very much for your time and detailed and insightful interview.