This time, Scientific Bangladesh is very much delighted to interview Mr. Md Jalal Uddin from Host-pathogen Interaction Group, The Arctic University of Norway (UiT). Mr. Jalal has extensive research experience in microbial pathogenesis as well as antimicrobial resistance and has published more than 10 articles in reputed journals including Microorganisms and Microbial Pathogenesis. Please join me to hear more from him.
1. Scientific Bangladesh: Please briefly introduce yourself, your PhD topic and, your University to our readers.
Md Jalal Uddin: I have completed my Bachelor’s in Microbiology from Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Bangladesh and Master’s in Biomedical Sciences from Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea. After completing my master’s, I have worked as a Researcher at Microbial Pathogenesis Lab at Kangwon National University, South Korea for one year. Currently, I am pursuing my Ph.D. in the Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway (UiT). My Ph.D. research focuses on employing activity-based probes (ABPs), molecular imaging, and microbiological techniques to study how bacterial pathogens adapt to environmental conditions, e.g., during infection and biofilms and how they respond to antibiotics. This chemoproteomic study will identify and validate new druggable enzymes associated with the bacterial adaptation that enables future exploitation as antibacterial drug targets for developing new urgently needed treatment options for S. aureus and K. pneumoniae infections.
2. Scientific Bangladesh: What has made you have gone for PhD? In other words, why are you pursuing PhD?
Md Jalal Uddin: The main goal of my career is to achieve research excellence in the multidisciplinary fields and to perform independent, collaborative, and quality research that can at least help to solve future challenges of the world in health sciences, especially the problems associated with antibiotic resistance. Any PhD program is usually designed to provide state-of-the-art training & research opportunities that increase one’s in-depth knowledge in the field of his/her interests. Besides, chemical biology is a rapidly growing field at the interface of chemistry and biology. This interdisciplinary forum highlights new chemical tools and techniques to visualize, understand and manipulate biological systems and processes at the molecular level that is amenable to primary and translational research. This is just the right field I was looking for to study.
3. Scientific Bangladesh: How did you choose your i) PhD topic and ii) Institute?
Md Jalal Uddin: I was very much interested in working on controlling bacterial infections, especially, antibiotic resistance crisis. My current supervisor who is a chemical biologist and working on chemical probes- so-called activity-based probes (ABPs) to develop antimicrobial treatment strategies and diagnostic applications that completely aligned with my research interest. Besides, in South Korea, I have previous work experience on bacterial pathogenesis, which sparked my interest to pursue my PhD in this research area. I chose the Arctic University of Norway (UiT) because it has well-reputed research facilities in health science and it provides an excellent environment such as career development programs, flexible working hours, and a state collective pay agreement for young researchers to accomplish their research endeavor.
4. Scientific Bangladesh: What is the minimum qualification in your university to get admission as PhD student, Bachelor or Master degree?
Md Jalal Uddin: It is mandatory to have a master’s degree if anyone wants to get admission to Ph.D. program at Arctic University of Norway (UiT).
5. Scientific Bangladesh: If anyone wants to do PhD in your University/country, what are the steps one has to follow?
Md Jalal Uddin: Prospective students must apply through Jobbnorge.no, and this is the site where Ph.D. vacancies are announced, and PhD position counts as a job in Norway. They don’t need to contact Professors before applying for the position. As requirements, prospective students should have a decent cGPA in their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Most importantly, they should have relevant research experiences and publications to increase their chance for PhD (This is the most important criteria to select PhD candidate in Norway). English proficiency test score (minimum requirement: IELTS-overall band 6.5) is required. Also, a well-written motivation letter enhances the chance of getting admission to the program. A recommendation letter is another essential prerequisite for the application.
6. Scientific Bangladesh: What are mistakes one should avoid when contacting with University or Professor for PhD studentship?
Md Jalal Uddin: Even though I did not email the Professor before applying to the UiT, however, first of all, I think the prospective student should study the recent publications of the Professors before emailing them. Secondly, the student should avoid emailing more than one Professor at the same time who belongs to the same department. Thirdly, the student should email the Professor during working hours because most of the Professors don’t like to reply after working hours.
7. Scientific Bangladesh: How will you get PhD, by submitting a thesis or publishing a certain no of publications (journal articles)?
Md Jalal Uddin: My PhD program requires the publication of at least three (3) papers in good journals to satisfy the requirement to earn my PhD qualification along with a dissertation.
8. Scientific Bangladesh: Did you deliberately choose your Supervisor? What were your criteria for choosing PhD supervisor?
Md Jalal Uddin: Yes, I deliberately chose my supervisor. My main motivation was his previous worked experiences with Professor Matthew Bogyo from Stanford University who is the pioneer of activity-based protein profiling (ABPP). His several publications in Nature Chemical Biology, a well-equipped laboratory at the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), and collaborative/mobility opportunities with other universities also attracted me to join his lab and start my Ph.D. I applied centrally for my PhD project funded by the Centre for New Antibacterial Strategies (CANS), and I had to face a couple of interviews with the evaluation committee as well as my main supervisor before final selection.
9. Scientific Bangladesh: What is your key to maintaining a good relationship with your supervisor?
Md Jalal Uddin: I do believe that good communication skills as well as being honest, smartness in research and hardworking are the main qualities to maintain a good relationship with a supervisor.
10. Scientific Bangladesh: What principle do you follow to maintain a good relationship with your labmates?
Md Jalal Uddin: I always try to maintain a decent relationship with my lab mates by helping them when they need, and also by taking lunch and sometimes dinner together.
11. Scientific Bangladesh: Doing PhD is a stressful job? How do you manage or release stress?
Md Jalal Uddin: Needless to say, Ph.D. is a stressful job!!! I try to travel long distances, hiking and hang out with my friends when I get some time off to release stress. Playing/watching sports also help to reduce my stress.
12. Scientific Bangladesh: How many days in a week you go to the lab? Why?
Md Jalal Uddin: I normally go to my lab every weekday. Sometimes I also go on weekends if some experiments need to follow up.
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 Jalal Uddin: I am focusing on acquiring knowledge of chemical probes synthesis, chemical proteomics, cell sorting, advanced imaging and an array of advanced molecular techniques as part of my technical skills. I am looking forward to developing soft skills, including project management, data interpretation, research grant writing, and basic bioinformatics tools.
14. Scientific Bangladesh: What is your future plan? Want to go back to Bangladesh or not?
Md Jalal Uddin: Upon completion of my Ph.D., I will seek a post-doctoral position at a top institute, specifically researching my topic of interest. Then, I will build my career in the academic field.
15. Scientific Bangladesh: What are your suggestions for prospective PhD students?
Md Jalal Uddin: PhD is a long and tedious journey. Prospective PhD students need full dedication and passion before choosing it. They need to learn how to deal with troubleshooting. Better to involve more in community work and leadership activities. They should never lose hope and remember, there are always good people to help them out when they are in trouble.
Thank you very much Mr. Jalal for your valuable time. We wish you success in all your future endeavors.