This time Scientific Bangladesh has interviewed Dr. Sabrina M Elias, who is highly active professionally and voluntarily. She is an Assistant Professor at Independent University, Bangladesh. She has shared very helpful 
insights and observations. Here are 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. Sabrina M Elias: Thank you for your question. I think I am an enthusiastic explorer of life. By profession, I am an educator and researcher. But I prefer not to confine myself with an adjective or defined designation. I have completed my BSc and MS from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Dhaka in 2008. I pursued my PhD Degree from the University of Dhaka in 2018. The work was a joint project between the University of Dhaka, University of Nebraska Lincoln (USA), the University of Texas at Austin (USA), and the International Rice Research Institute (the Philippines). This was a wonderful experience to work in multiple institutes of different countries with multiple groups. Before starting my PhD, I have worked in Australian National University’s computational proteomics group in 2011, in the Jute Genome Project in 2010, and in the Basic applied research in the jute Project. Also, I have experience of working in BCSIR for a short term under a fellowship. My research entity was nurtured mainly in the Plant Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, the University of Dhaka under the supervision of Prof. Zeba Islam Seraj where I have worked as a Research Associate in different national and international projects. I have worked on local rice landraces and their diversity and with genetic engineering of genes responsible for salt tolerance in rice. My PhD was on an expanded project which involved genomics, quantitative genomics, transcriptomics as well as phenomics. It was a novel study on Bangladeshi local rice landrace which is naturally salt-tolerant and our work was able to identify many important salt-tolerant determinants. I was privileged to have Prof. Zeba as my PhD supervisor who is an excellent mentor and a pioneer researcher. After PhD, during post-doctorate I continued working on these determinants using functional genomics tools. I have joined Independent University Bangladesh (IUB) in spring 2018. Trying to continue my research work on a few of these promising genes, their functional genomics using genome editing by CRISPR-Cas9 as well as overexpression to check functional changes. At the same time, I am trying to expand the area of focus by implementing my knowledge of genomics and bioinformatics, for example, to explore the potentiality of the microbial world, biofilms, etc.
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. Sabrina M Elias: Thank you. The life of every human being is a story, the acceptability depends on whether we find it interesting or not. I think it’s my supportive family and my school and college (Holy Cross) which played the main role. My college biology teachers had a great influence on growing up my interest in research and life science. After HSC when I got the chance to be admitted to both Chittagong Medical College and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) Department of Dhaka University (DU), it was really a tough choice to select. In DU, Biochemistry and Molecular biology was one of the top choices of mine, and the desire to study and do research on Life at the molecular level had defeated the desire of becoming a medical practitioner. My father who himself was an Agriculture Economist supported this decision and encouraged me to study biochemistry and molecular biology at Dhaka University. Then during my Master’s study, I worked in Prof. Zeba Seraj’s lab which clearly revealed to me what I actually love to do. I am privileged to have great mentors in almost all institutes where I worked so far. I needed to face a lot of obstacles to justify my enrolment for PhD in a University in Bangladesh. The PhD was funded by an International Scholarship and I had the choice of selecting the certificate giving institute. Since this was work on Bangladeshi local landrace, I chose Dhaka University. I think doing PhDs in Bangladeshi universities will create more scopes of funding and quality research enhancing the research capacity of these Universities. Most importantly this will help focus more on solving the problems in Bangladesh and exploring the resources of our country will make sure well utilization of these resources as well. In one way it’s a combination of supervisor and the student and a handsome amount of funds which can increase the capacity and scopes in the higher study sector of Bangladesh. Maintaining a good work-life balance is a difficult job. Trying to nurture the researcher’s mind to contribute, not sure how much I am being able to.
3.Scientific Bangladesh: How do you manage funds for research? From where you get funds for research?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I have joined IUB as an Assistant professor in late 2018. Right after joining, I have applied for international funds in ‘The World Academy of Science (TWAS)’. Also applied for the sponsor research fund from IUB. Alhamdulillah, I have got both funds. I have applied for some other international and national funds, some were unsuccessful, for some results are yet to get. I am trying to establish a hardship fund as well for future research works. I try to apply whenever it suits, so the failure rate is not very low.
4.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you think Bangladeshi researchers apply enough for international funds?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: No, I don’t think they apply enough for international funds. Also, I saw most researchers are reluctant in filling up the application and do not focus on following the rules and instruction required by the grant providing institutes. For example, many researchers do not concentrate on limiting the application within a defined number of words, for which the reviewers can reject the application at first pass. Applying for a good fund requires a handsome amount of time and dedication. I would suggest not to submit applications half done and to choose the right referee.
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. Sabrina M Elias: Yes, there is an inadequate fund for research in Bangladesh. But in recent days it has been increased than before, which is a very positive note. The government is trying to release some funds for the researchers. But I think, there should be more funding opportunities for researchers and research students. In any case, research reagents and associated taxes are much costly. Another expensive sector is the maintenance of the equipment and availability of skilled engineers to fix faulty machines which require a large amount of fund.
6.Scientific Bangladesh: What is your research area? What type of research facilities/ infrastructures you have or developed over years and how?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: My research area focuses on molecular biology and genomics specifically of rice, our staple food. It involves both laboratory works and the utilization of bioinformatics tools. Currently, I am trying to focus on doing functional genomics studies to understand the salt tolerance mechanism in rice and help in the development of salt-tolerant high yielding rice in collaboration with Prof Seraj at Dhaka University. This work involves marker-assisted selection breeding, molecular cloning, and CRISPR-Cas9 based editing of some candidate genes. In addition, I am trying to work on genomics studies of other organisms, to be specific on some microbes. When needed I can use Prof. Seraj’s laboratory as well as the confined plant growing facility as per requirement. In my University, IUB life science department we have a very good quality laboratory equipped with required instruments for working at the molecular level. This is mainly for the undergraduate teaching practical laboratory, but the faculty members can share and use the instruments as required. There are scopes of improvement and we all in the department are working hard towards that. Also, the computer science department has a supercomputer facility that I can use as required for some bioinformatics work. Besides for bioinformatics works, I mostly use the workstation of cBLAST (Centre for Bioinformatics Learning Advancement and Training), which is a bioinformatics online course platform in Dhaka University. I have a dream of creating a genomics and bioinformatics research group at my institute. A long way to go. I believe it’s the “hard work” from the researcher’s side that is needed to make well utilization of these infrastructural facilities.
7.Scientific Bangladesh: Tell us about your publications and patent, if any. Tell more about your most loved publication/s and/or patents.
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I am trying to remain constant with publishing in reputed journals on what we work on. Also, I have contributed to some book chapters from reputed publishers. Some specific publications are very close to heart and give the satisfaction of creation. My first major publication which was based on my MSc thesis work gave immense pleasure. It was on the identification of the specific sequence divergence in the red and white rice of Bangladesh exploring the genomic diversity of these rice. Then I also enjoyed working on genetic fingerprints of Horidhan a rice variety that showed greater yield and was selected by the farmer Mr. Haripada kapali to identify the genetic difference. From my PhD studies, I am having some good publications focusing on the unique salt tolerance genes and QTLs in our local landraces. For the publication list, you can have a look at the google scholar profile.
8.Scientific Bangladesh: Do you have any research that has been commercialized? What should Bangladesh do to encourage the commercialization of research outputs?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: No, I don’t have. But I like to focus on such commercial application-based research. Prof Seraj worked on some transgenic rice in which I have some contribution which is under trial. Also, her group is working with the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute on Marker-assisted selection based breeding of salt-tolerant high yielding rice based on the information we have identified during the PhD study. More collaborations between Universities, research institutes, and Industries will be needed. There should be a balanced distribution of work and trust between these different groups to accelerate commercial production and utilization of scientific outputs.
9.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you like to share your google scholar, LinkedIn, or any other profile?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: Thanks for asking. Here they go
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=mnQtjgMAAAAJ
Linkedin: https://bd.linkedin.com/in/sabrina-elias-00a17310
Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sabrina_Elias
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/selectedme
10.Scientific Bangladesh: Tells us about research grants and awards you have obtained till now.
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I have got the TWAS grant for individual researchers in 2019. And the IUB sponsor research grant. I had the privilege to get some young scientists fellowship awards e.g TWAS/BVA/nxt award and FAOBMB young scientist travel award. Also, I got a traineeship award from the Australian National University. For my PhD, I have got Monsanto’s Beachell Borlaug International Scholar Program (MBBISP) fellowship. This is provisioned to enhance the developing and developed country networking and focuses on technology transfer between institutes. Recently I have got recognition from the Ted Crosbie Beachell-Borlaug International Scholarship (BBIS) impact award.
11.Scientific Bangladesh: How important is the experience of working as an editor of a scientific Journal and reviewer? How is your experience in those cases?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I have worked as a guest reviewer for some international reputed journals from BMC, Frontiers, Elsevier, etc publisher groups. Despite having too much workload I normally accept their requests if the field of interest matches. I enjoy doing this because I think it enhances my power of thinking, gives indications on how other research groups are addressing the same problem in different ways. As a reader and reviewer when I judge others’ work it helps to impose the same judgment on my work as well. Though these are voluntary works, I prefer doing this for my own good. The experience is good so far.
12.Scientific Bangladesh: How many researchers (PhDs and Masters) have you developed by this time? In other words, share your supervising story.
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: Thanks for asking. I would say, officially not many. I have spent a large portion of my career being associated with the Plant Biotechnology laboratory of Dhaka University. There I needed to guide many MSc students. After joining IUB, I have mentored 2 students for their senior project laboratory-based thesis. Currently, I have few undergraduate students working on their senior projects and one MSc student from Dhaka University for whom I am assigned as a Co-supervisor. Since the IUB Life Science department just launched their MSc program hoping to get more Master’s students in the upcoming semesters.
13.Scientific Bangladesh: What 1. qualities and 2. skills you expect in prospective researchers?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: This is a tough question. We cannot enclose a researcher in a box with some defined properties. From my experience what I realized is, a researcher needs to be creative to imagine and develop the ability to think about ideas. Then comes a more difficult part, s/he needs to be proactive to implement that idea. Only dreaming does not work in the real world. Nurturing creativity with hard work can give a good outcome. Besides, some abilities like humbleness, listening to others, networking ability, writing ability, time management, etc. can help.
14.Scientific Bangladesh: What are the professional organizations of researchers you involved with? How important it is for researchers to join such professional bodies?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I am actively involved with the Global Network of Biotechnologists (GNOBB) as an EC member. Also currently acting as the secretary (in charge) as well as the treasurer of the National Young Academy of Bangladesh (NYAB). Besides I am a member of the American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB), Bangladesh Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BSBMB), and Graduate Biochemist Association (GBA), Bangladesh Biosafety and Biosecurity Society (BBBS) etc. I am also engaged with some voluntary organizations like Agami inc. Chintar Chash, etc. Being associated with a professional body often keeps me updated about the current research activities going on worldwide. Also, I think these are the platform through which voices can be raised for betterment, changes can be introduced in the society which is not possible working as an individual. Moreover, such organizations often arrange conferences, seminars, workshops etc. which enhances the knowledge, network of peers, create a platform for exchanging ideas, and many more. From GNOBB we participated in different outreach programs, arranged conferences and workshops. From NYAB recently we arranged an international poster presentation competition (IPPC-2020) for students involving three other young academies from India, Sri Lanka and Thailand which surely built up some networks among young researchers of these countries. Professional bodies can become one platform to reach the mass people who are not doing science actively. I think it is very important for researchers to join a few professional bodies to keep themselves updated as well as to make an impact.
15.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. Sabrina M Elias: I think there are too many organizations. Some are playing their due role, some are not. The activities need to be more. I would suggest a good collaboration between many similar organizations. They can remain independent still collaborate.
16.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. Sabrina M Elias: No doubt, leadership ability is very important to become an active researcher. In recent days, research is not only working in the lab with a pipette and reagents. In addition to research work, it involves, mentoring, networking, writing, presenting, and most importantly, the ability to think. I would not categorize leaders. Different people actually adopt leadership abilities in different ways. Some inherit the leadership ability by born, some develop with their experiences. Sometimes, formal training can help identify small glitches, and can polish leadership skills, gives new ideas and novel material of thoughts. Training can help, but the main leadership ability comes from experience and practicing it. Yes, I am privileged to get two professional leadership training from the Tero. Intl. The first training was given to all MBBISP fellowship winners in 2014 and 2015. The second one I got as a part of my recent award from Bayer Crop Sciences. This is really fun having the leadership training, it imposes you to look at regular things in different ways.
17.Scientific Bangladesh: If asked what will be your three suggestions for the Science Ministry of Bangladesh?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I don’t think I am experienced enough to comment on it. I would suggest working on (1) Allocating more funds for PhD researchers and post-doctoral researchers (2) Encouraging to do more collaborative research and PhDs. between different institutes of Bangladesh, also outside Bangladesh (3) Making shipment and availability of reagents smoother and less expensive in terms of tax.
18.Scientific Bangladesh: Doing Research is a stressful job. What do you do to manage stress? do you exercise regularly?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: It’s the crucial point. Really this is a stressful job as it needs a lot of multi-tasking. I am not very good at it. But I know the strategies and trying hard to implement those strategies practically. I think planning ahead and maintaining a routine helps a lot. Planning ahead is important, does not matter whether that plan works timely or not. Taking meals on time and maintaining a to-do list often helps to stay more organized. Unfortunately, I do not exercise regularly, though I keep telling myself always to do. Btw Thanks for reminding me.
19.Scientific Bangladesh? Would you like to add any more points for our readers?
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: First of all thanks to Scientific Bangladesh for requesting me to write about my experiences. Thanks to the readers who came to this end. I am not sure, specifically, which “points” you are referring to, would just say one thing from my experience which I often keep telling myself and try to follow despite lots of fall downs. There are multiple ways to perform a task, so never give up seeing failures while trying one way, and don’t lose confidence in yourself. There will always be critics by your side. Welcome them, they actually help you improve yourself. At the same time, friends are there also. Hard work and staying true to thyself can make us a better human which is very much needed for the world.
20.Scientific Bangladesh: Would you want to contribute regularly in Scientific Bangladesh and have a profile as an Author? If yes, then register at https://scientificbangladesh.com/registration-2/
Dr. Sabrina M Elias: I do not get much time always, but if there is no specific rules or time limits I can try contributing sometimes.
Scientific Bangladesh: Thank you for answering the questions. You can publish your writing when you want and when you have time. For this, register and gain access as an author.
