icddr,b

🌍How icddr,b is a gift from Bangladesh to the world? Explore our story of leading groundbreaking research in global health to create a lasting impact on communities worldwide, especially those living in low- and middle-income countries. #globalhealth #publichealth #healthresearch #Bangladesh

🌎Global Experts Gather for icddr,b's Annual Board Meeting 2024 With a commitment to steering resources, shaping strategy, ensuring governance, and fostering growth for icddr,b, a leading international health research institute, the esteemed Board of Trustees gathered once again in Dhaka from 24 to 26 November 2024 for the Annual Board Meeting 2024. The Board of Trustees, comprising 13 professionals and researchers from both developed and developing countries, convened at the icddr,b Dhaka campus. This year, most of the members joined in person from various corners of the world. Our distinguished Board Chair, Ms Nancy Y Cheng, FCPA, FCA, Former Assistant Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada, opened the plenary session with a focus on advancing innovation and science. Subsequent plenary sessions on the Finance and Audit Committee, Programme Committee, Fund Development and Oversight Committee, and Human Resource Committee were chaired by the following esteemed leaders: Mr Amol Khisty, Chief of Finance & Accounting at UNESCO; Prof Rosalind L Smyth, Vice Dean (Research), UCL Faculty of Population Health Sciences & Professor of Child Health at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UK; Mr Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, Bangladesh; and Dr Fred Binka, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana. Among the other Board members, Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, served as the Member Secretary. Other members in attendence included Prof Dr Suman Rijal, Director of Communicable Diseases at WHO South-East Asia Region, nominated by WHO; Mr Md Humayun Kabir, Team Leader, Preparation of PIP for 5th HPNSP, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Bangladesh; Dr Siswanto, Health Development Policy Agency, Ministry of Health, Indonesia; Ms Andrea J Lucard, Executive Vice President, External Relations, Medicine for Malaria Venture, Geneva, Switzerland; Dr Ogutu Bernhards Ragama, Chief Research Officer at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI), Kenya; Dr Hanna Maria Nohynek, Chief Medical Officer and Team Leader of Vaccine Programme Development, National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL, formerly KTL), Finland; and Ms Sharifa Khan, Project Advisor for the Support of Sustainable Graduation Project. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity for the Board members to engage in vital discussions, strengthening the global impact of icddr,b and advancing its mission to improve global public health through scientific research and innovation.

🌍 Global Public Health Leaders Unite at icddr,b’s Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) Meeting We are proud to host the annual Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) meeting from 21 to 22 November 2024 in Dhaka, gathering esteemed global health leaders, researchers, and academicians from across the world. The SAG plays a critical role in advancing icddr,b’s mission to improve global public health through capacity building, expanding global partnerships, fostering international research, and aligning our research priorities. The meeting was officially opened by the Chair of the SAG, Prof. Robert E. Black, MD, MPH, Director of the Institute for International Programs at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b, provided a comprehensive update on the institution’s recent advancements and initiatives. Key discussions will focus on the progress of management actions based on SAG recommendations, the impact of icddr,b’s research, updates on ongoing research goals, and capacity-building efforts. The group will also address challenges and successes across various scientific divisions and explore new opportunities for innovation to tackle global health challenges. We are also pleased to welcome our Board Chair Ms. Nancy Y. Cheng, FCPA, FCA, Former Assistant Auditor General, Office of the Auditor General of Canada, as an observer of this meeting. Members of both the SAG and Board of Trustees include Dr. Fred Binka, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Health and Allied Sciences and Former Coordinator with WHO Emergency Response to Artemisinin Resistance in the Greater Mekong Sub-region; Prof. Rosalind L. Smyth, Professor of Child Health at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health; Dr Hanna Maria Nohynek, Chief Medical Officer and Team Leader of Vaccine Programme Development at the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL, former KTL), Finland; Dr. Peter Harvey, Chief of the Water, Sanitation and Education Centre at UNICEF Supply Division; and, Professor Dr Suman Rijal, Director, Communicable Diseases at WHO South-East Asia Region. Other distinguished SAG members include Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Robert Harding Inaugural Chair in Global Child Health at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto; Dr. Jeffrey I. Gordon, Dr. Robert J. Glaser Distinguished University Professor at Washington University in St. Louis; Prof. Nicholas Robert Thomson, Head of Microbes, Faculty, Parasites and Microbes at the Sanger Institute; and Dr. Sara Bennett, Director of the DrPH Program at Johns Hopkins. We look forward to the exciting discussions that will emerge from this meeting, advancing our collective vision to tackle the world’s most pressing public health challenges. Follow to learn more about our SAG members: https://lnkd.in/gR79BtGs #icddrb #GlobalHealth #ScientificAdvisoryGroup #PublicHealthResearch #GlobalHealthLeaders #ResearchForImpact #SAG2024

It is a delight to congratulate Nancy Cheng on her recent appointment as a member of the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB)! Nancy serves as Audit Committee Chair at Shared Services Canada, Board Chair at icddr,b. A respected leader in the field, her expertise and dedication will be invaluable in advancing global standards in auditing and assurance.

Did you know that antibiotics may soon no longer work? This is due to the growing threat of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), where bacteria evolve to resist antibiotics, making infections harder to treat. If antibiotics lose their effectiveness, common diseases and surgeries could become much riskier. In 1969, icddr,b began researching AMR in Vibrio cholerae, marking its early efforts to combat AMR. To raise awareness, icddr,b’s AMR working group organised a seminar for World AMR Awareness Week 2024. Dr Rubhana Raqib, Senior Scientist (Emeritus) at icddr,b, opened the event, emphasising the urgency of addressing AMR, with this year’s theme: “Educate, Advocate, Act Now.” Dr Fahmida Chowdhury, Associate Scientist at icddr,b, discussed the burden of AMR, citing cases that show its impact on hospital stays, healthcare costs, and complications. Dr Ayesha Afrin, Research Investigator at icddr,b, explored the key drivers of AMR in Bangladesh, such as the overuse and misuse of antibiotics, inadequate infection control, and environmental contamination. She stressed the need for integrated AMR surveillance and a One Health approach. Dr Tanzir Shuvo, Senior Research Investigator, highlighted ongoing icddr,b studies. These include research on antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales in adult and neonatal ICUs, evaluating infection prevention and control (IPC) interventions in NICUs, and strengthening fungal disease surveillance in Bangladesh. Other studies explore AMR colonisation among pregnant women, antimicrobial use prevalence, and resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae. In addition, icddr,b is leading efforts like the ACORN-HAI network, assessing infection prevention measures, and investigating antifungal-resistant dermatophyte infections. The Integrated AMR Surveillance Study (TROYEE) is also a critical part of the institution’s efforts to address AMR in healthcare settings. Md Mokibul Hassan Afrad, Assistant Scientist, focused on the studies to combat the high-risk of Multi-Drug Resistant TB (MDR-TB) in Bangladesh, supporting rapid drug-resistant TB detection. AMR is a critical global health issue, and icddr,b aims to essential to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics for future generations through continued research initiatives, advocating for strong commitment and concrete actions.

🏅icddr,b Scientist Dr Firdausi Qadri Receives Prestigious Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal for Advancing Global Public Health Congratulations to icddr,b's Senior Scientist Dr Firdausi Qadri on receiving the prestigious 2024 Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH) for her pioneering and inspirational contributions to global health. Dr Qadri received the medal from ASTMH President Dr Linnie Golightly during a ceremony at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, USA, on 13 November 2024. The Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal is the highest honour awarded by ASTMH and is named after Clara Southmayd Ludlow (1852–1924), a trailblazing entomologist who overcame significant barriers to advance the understanding of tropical medicine. The award recognises individuals whose work embodies the spirit of inspiration and perseverance, advancing the field despite obstacles. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gGzta29E #IAmTropMed #TropMed24

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 Animal Resources Facility of the Infectious Diseases Division is going to start a course to strengthen the skills of young and mid-level researchers in the field of laboratory animal research. Laboratory animals are an indispensable tool in basic scientific research models, biomedical research, drug development, antibody production and vaccine trials, etc. This course aims to fulfill the training requirements defined by the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee (AEEC) legislation for the use of animals in research. 📌𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞! 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐰! 🔗𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬: https://lnkd.in/gReWwVvi 📅𝐃𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 2-4 December 2024 (3 Days) 📆𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 26 November 2024 📍𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐞: Sasakawa Seminar Room 1

🏅icddr,b Scientists Honored with Gold Medal Awards by Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) We are delighted to share that six esteemed scientists from icddr,b have been awarded the prestigious BAS Gold Medal for their remarkable contributions to science. The awards were presented at the Academy Gold Medal Award Ceremony, organised by the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), held on Saturday at the National Science and Technology Complex. The ceremony honored 54 exceptional scientists for their significant achievements. Among the honorees from icddr,b, Dr Md Khalequzzaman, Emeritus Scientist received the BAS Gold Medal Award 2018 in Biological Sciences. Dr Munirul Alam, Emeritus Scientist, was honored with the BAS-Dr. M.O. Ghani Memorial Gold Medal Award 2019. Dr Mohammad Jobayer Chisti, Senior scientist, received the BAS-Dr. M. Innas Ali Memorial Gold Medal Award 2022. Dr Shams El Arifeen, Senior Scientist and Senior Director, MCHD, received the BAS-Dr. Sultan Ahmed Choudhury Science and Technology Gold Medal Award 2017. Which was accepted on his behalf by his wife, Prof. Sofia Andalib. Dr Sayera Banu, Senior Scientist and Head, Programme for Emerging Infections, was honored with the BAS-Dr. Sultan Ahmed Choudhury Science and Technology Gold Medal Award 2019. On her behalf, our Emeritus Scientist, Dr Firdausi Qadri received the award. Dr Aliya Naheed, Senior Scientist received the BAS-Dr. Sultan Ahmed Choudhury Science and Technology Gold Medal Award 2021. The BAS Gold Medal Awards are presented annually to recognise exceptional scientists in both Physical and Biological Sciences. In addition, the BAS-Dr. M.O. Ghani Memorial Gold Medal, BAS-Dr. M. Innas Ali Memorial Gold Medal, and BAS-Dr. Sultan Ahmed Choudhury Science and Technology Gold Medal are awarded in alternate years for outstanding contributions. The ceremony was graced by Dr. M. Zahid Hasan, Eugene Higgins Professor of Physics at Princeton University, who served as the Chief Guest and presented the Gold Medals to awardees from 2012 to 2023. Emeritus Prof. Dr. A.K. Azad Chowdhury, President of BAS, also addressed the gathering. We extend our warm congratulations to these distinguished scientists for their exceptional contributions to scientific research and development!

🤝Mr Stephen Weaver, Head of Development Cooperation, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) accompanied by Ms Farzana Sultana, Development Advisor, GAC, Dhaka office, paid a visit to icddr,b on 22 October 2024. The distinguished guests were warmly received by our Executive Director Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, along with other senior officials. They toured the Emergency Unit, Intensive Care Unit, and the Nutrition Rehabilitation Unit of the Dhaka Hospital They also visited the Mucosal Immunology and Vaccinology Laboratory. During a meeting, Dr Tahmeed Ahmed offered a comprehensive overview of icddr,b’s work and discussed the significant impact of Canada’s support to our work. Senior Director, Maternal & Child Health Divission, Dr Shams El Arifeen then presented an update on the AdSEARCH Project . icddr,b extends its heartfelt gratitude to Global Affairs Canada for their continuous support, which has been instrumental in advancing icddr,b’s mission to address critical health challenges in Bangladesh and beyond. Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada Advancing Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights by icddr,b

🤝IDCOL Partners with icddr,b to Strengthen Healthcare Access in Bangladesh We are pleased to share that Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) has made a significant donation to support icddr,b's free-of-cost hospital facility in Bangladesh. This donation is part of icddr,b's ongoing effort to raise a $100 million fund, ensuring continued delivery of free healthcare to over 200,000 patients annually. Mr. Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director & CEO of IDCOL, officially handed over the donation to Dr Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director of icddr,b during an event. Mr. Morshed highlighted IDCOL’s commitment to uplifting communities, stating, “IDCOL has been working in sustainable development of the country and IDCOL is interested in future opportunities where both organisations can collaborate more effectively. Together, we can gain valuable insights to drive even greater improvements in public health.” Dr Tahmeed Ahmed said, “We deeply appreciate IDCOL’s generous support, which is pivotal in helping us move towards operational independence. This partnership also presents a unique opportunity to further our collaboration by jointly assessing the impact of IDCOL’s clean cooking initiatives, particularly on health metrics like infant mortality rates.” The event was attended by senior representatives from both organisations, including Mr. S. M. Monirul Islam, Deputy CEO & CFO of IDCOL, along with division heads from icddr,b and officals from IDCOL.