This time Scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Sharmin Sultana, a Bangladesh post Doctoral Researcher in Japan. 
She has shared her experience and insights and suggestions. Here is what she says
1.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to tell us about your academic and research life? In another way, how would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I am Sharmin Sultana Poly, I completed my BSc. and MSc in Chemistry from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. My MSc thesis title was ”Silver nanoparticles on porous support: control of size using non-ionic surfactants as templates for silica synthesis”. Then I obtained my PhD in Engineering in September 2019 from Shimizu Laboratory, Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, Japan. My PhD thesis title was Heterogeneous Catalysis for the Synthesis of Chemicals using Dehydrogenation/Hydrogenation Properties of Metal Nanoparticles and Hydrophobicity of Acidic Zeolites”. Currently, I am working as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan from October 2019. Here my role is research and development of useful chemical synthesis technology using core-shell nanoparticles.
2.Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you a researcher and/or a teacher? In another way, what is the story behind your becoming a researcher?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I got strong motivation from my parents, husband, and academic supervisors to become a researcher. Here I would like to mention my academic supervisors’ names: 1. Professor Dr. Abu Bin Hasan Susan (M.Sc. Supervisor, Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh), 2. Assistant Professor Dr. Saika Ahmed (M.Sc. co-Supervisor, Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh), 3) Professor Dr. Ken-ichi Shimizu (PhD supervisor, Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, Japan) 4) Assistant Professor Dr. S.M.A. Hakim Siddiki (PhD co-Supervisor, Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, Japan).
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How do you manage funds for research? From where you get funds for research?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Since I am at a very early stage of my independent research, I do not have my personal funding. As I am working on a project that funding from NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization).
4.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you think Bangladeshi researchers apply enough for international funds?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Bangladeshi researchers apply but it is not so easy to get the international funding for some complications. But nowadays many researchers are trying to get funding.
5.Scientific Bangladesh: Inadequate fund for research is a major problem in Bangladesh. What would you say in response to pointing fingers by many to this basic problem worldwide, not only in Bangladesh?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: It is a worldwide problem.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your research area? What type of research facilities/ infrastructures you have or developed over years and how?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Basically, my research area is to develop innovative catalysts that solve the key challenges facing humankind, such as food and energy issues. Our lab has all the facilities. We also have common facilities for our institution.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: Tell us about your publications and patent, if any. Tell more about your most loved publication/s and/or patents.
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: For my publication list please visit my google scholar profile.
8. Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to share your google scholar, LinkedIn, or any other profile?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: google scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eXU-69cAAAAJ&hl=en, Researcher ID: AAD-7639-2020, ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2022-9123, https://irc3.aist.go.jp/
9. Scientific Bangladesh: Tells us about research grants and awards you have obtained till now.
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I do not have any research grant or award until now. But recently I got a small budget to work on a joint research project with Professor Dr. Ken-ichi Shimizu (Institute for Catalysis, Hokkaido University, Japan).
10.Scientific Bangladesh: How important is the experience of working as a journal editor and reviewer? How is your experience in those cases?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: N/A
11.Scientific Bangladesh: How many researchers (PhDs and Masters) have you developed by this time? In other words, share your supervising story.
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I do not have any experience.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: What 1. qualities and 2. skills you expect in prospective researchers?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Critical thinking capability, patience, curiosity on research, intelligence, and honesty
13.Scientific Bangladesh: What are the professional organizations of researchers you involved with? How important it is for researchers to join such professional bodies?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I think it is very important to join such professional bodies to collaborate and expand the research.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you think different professional bodies of scientists playing their due role in Bangladesh? What are your suggestions for the leading professional organizations of scientists?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I am not experienced.
15.Scientific Bangladesh: How important is leadership ability to become a great researcher? Should researchers take leadership training? Did you ever get training on Leadership?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: I think researchers should have leadership skills. I did not participate in any leadership training.
16.Scientific Bangladesh: If asked what will be your three suggestions for the Science Ministry of Bangladesh?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Improve the research funding, increase investments in research infrastructure.
17. Scientific Bangladesh? Would you like to add any more points for our readers?
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: No more points…Only research is real…. Be honest and do your best….
18.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you want to contribute regularly to Scientific Bangladesh and have a profile as an Author? If yes, then register at https://scientificbangladesh.com/registration-2/
Dr. Sharmin Sultana: Yes
Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you for agreeing to write regularly, Readers will be waiting for your writing.