Education
DrPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1990
MPH, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, 1985
MBBS, University of Dhaka Medical College, 1976
Overview
My current research is directed towards the improvement of neonatal, child, and maternal health in low-income countries by enhancing the understanding of the major causes of neonatal, child, and maternal morbidity and mortality by designing and testing cost-effective public health interventions against them, and by conducting evaluation and implementation research in support of large programs. I decided to focus my research efforts primarily on neonatal health because this is a much neglected area. Globally, about 3.0 million neonates die each year and there are at least an additional 2.6 million still births. About 60% of all deaths in the first year of life and about 44% of <5 deaths occur in the first 28 days of life. Millennium Development Goal (MDG) for child survival could not be achieved by many countries because of continuing high neonatal mortality. I felt that as a physician and epidemiologist I was in a unique position to make contributions in this area because of my experience with conducting numerous large field trials in the broad area of child health. In addition, I could apply the lessons that I have learnt in health systems and policy work to neonatal and maternal health. Also, my experience in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa would allow me to address this issue in those regions where the vast majority of the global neonatal and maternal deaths occur.
During the last sixteen years of my service with the IH department, I have successfully raised funds to develop large scale research projects and established partnerships and field sites. I currently have active projects in Bangladesh and Tanzania. These studies are evaluating integrated packages and single interventions to improve newborn and maternal health. The design and scope of these studies are diverse ranging from cluster randomized trials to large scale program evaluations to technical assistance to influence programs and policies.
My other interests are related to the use of evidence in policy and programs, including the development of research capacity and strengthening of public health training and education. I assist national governments, WHO and other international entities with the development of policies intended to improve public health, particularly health of neonates, children, and mothers.
Keywords: Neonatal Health, Child Heath, Maternal Health, Urban Health, Micronutrients for Health, Infectious Diseases, Community Randomized Trials, Field Trials, Operations Research, Program Evaluation, policy support.
Other university affiliations: International Center for Maternal and Newborn Health, Institute for International Programs
Honors and Awards
2012: Dory Storms recognition award by CORE group for outstanding research on new-born and child health and for vision, concern, intelligence, commitment, and love for people in the developing world.
2012: Bangladesh Medical Association of North America (BMANA) recognition award for exceptional efforts resulting in more effective maternal and newborn health program that has improved the health of the poorest of the poor including mothers, children and infants in underserved communities throughout the world.
2008: Received the “first global health faculty grant” awarded by the Johns Hopkins Center for Global Health
2008: The Lancet’s paper of the year 2008
1986-1986: The International Nutrition Foundation (INF) fellowship to continue graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University
1984-1986: United Nations University (UNU) fellowship to pursue graduate studies at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA