Sium Ahmed
Sium Ahmed Lecturer, Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering

PROFILE

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Sium Ahmed is an educator, researcher, science communicator and a former development professional who loves science and cares for humans, animals and the environment. He works as a Lecturer at the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University. 

Sium received his BSc and MS in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering from Jahangirnagar University. His research interests include plant biotechnology, bioinformatics, systems and synthetic biology, biosafety and regulatory science. Sium has published 10 peer reviewed journal articles, and 20 scientific discourses. 

Prior to joining at Jahangirnagar University, He worked as the Biosafety Officer and later promoted to Deputy Manager of the South Asia Biosafety Program (SABP) hosted at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) office in Bangladesh Under the management of Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), USA. He has been responsible to facilitate the implementation of transparent, efficient, and responsive regulatory frameworks for products of modern biotechnology that meet national goals as regards the safety of novel foods and feeds, and environmental protection in Bangladesh by providing support directly to the Government of Bangladesh, at their request. He acquired a significant experience in the areas of Biosafety Regulatory Mechanisms in Bangladesh as well as in the Global Perspectives; Safety Assessment and Management of Genetically Engineered/Edited Crops; International Obligations etc.  

Apart from his professional engagement, Sium has been involved voluntarily with several initiatives. He leads the research wing of the Science Porter Bangladesh, a science communication platform; contributes as a collaborator to the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute, USA; and acts as an executive committee member (office secretary) for the Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates (BABG).

Public Profiles: ResearchGate ORCiD Google Scholar | LinkedIn

RESEARCH INTEREST

Plant Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Systems and Synthetic Biology, Biosafety and Regulatory Science

JOURNAL PAPER

  1. Sium Ahmed, Abdullah Mohammad Shohael, and Kee Yoeup Paek. 2022. "Evaluation of growth and some unexplored bioactivities of bioreactor grown adventitious root culture of ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer)". Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry (Wiley), 69 (5), 2046-2060. [IF: 2.8, CiteScore: 4.9]
  2.  Sium Ahmed, Faisal Bin Rahman, Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2021. "In vitro analysis of phytoconstituents and bioactivities of Senna alata L. leaf extracts". Discovery Phytomedicine, 8 (4), 167-174.
  3.  M. Al-Amin Shawon1st, Sium Ahmed1st, and M. Rezaul Karim. 2021 "Impact of irrigation with polluted river water on the accumulation of toxic metals in soil and crops in the region of Dhaka, Bangladesh and potential effects on health." Environmental Processes (Springer), 8, 219–237. [IF: 3.06, CiteScore: 5.9]
  4.  Sium Ahmed, Dil Afroj Moni, Kailas Dashrath Sonawane, Kee Yoeup Paek, and Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2021 "A comprehensive in silico exploration of pharmacological properties, bioactivities and COX-2 inhibitory potential of eleutheroside B from Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim." Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics (Taylor and Francis), 39 (17), 6553–6566. https://doi.org/10.1080/07391102.2020.1803135.  [IF: 5.235, CiteScore: 9.1]
  5. Faisal Bin Rahman, Sium Ahmed, Priya Noor, Mir Md. Mahbubur Rahman, S.M. Azimul Huq, Md. Taharat Elahi Akib, and Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2020. "A comprehensive multi-directional exploration of phytochemicals and bioactivities of flower extracts from Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf., Cassia fistula L. and Lagerstroemia speciosa L." Biochemistry and Biophysics Reports (Elsevier)24, p.100805. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100805. [IF: 2.7, CiteScore: 4.1]
  6.  Sium Ahmed, Bilkis Mehrin Moni, Shawon Ahmed, Donald James Gomes, Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2020. "Comparative phytochemical, antioxidant, and antibacterial study of different parts of doigota plants (Bixa orellana L.)". Bulletin of the National Research Centre (Springer), 44, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42269-020-00349-1.
  7.  M. Al-Amin Shawon1st, M. Abul Khair Yousuf1st, Enayetur Raheem1st, Sium Ahmed, Tyeaba Tasnim Dipti, Mohammad Razuanul Hoque, Hiroaki Taniguchi, M. Rezaul Karim. 2020. ''Epidemiology, clinical features, and impact of food habits on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: A case-control study in Bangladesh". Plos one, 15(4), p.e0232121. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232121. [IF: 3.7, CiteScore: 6.0]
  8. Sium Ahmed and Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2019. “In Silico studies of four anthraquinones of Senna alata L. as potential antifungal compounds.PharmacologyOnline 15 (2), 259-268. [CiteScore: 0.4]
  9. Sium Ahmed, Shawon Ahmed, Swapan Kumar Roy, Sun Hee Woo, Kailas Dashrath Sonawane, Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2019. “Effect of salinity on the morphological, physiological and biochemical properties of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in Bangladesh”. Open Agriculture (De Gruyter) 4, 361-373. [IF: 2.3, CiteScore: 3.2]
  10. Sium Ahmed, Faisal Bin Rahman, Shawon Ahmed, and Abdullah Mohammad Shohael. 2018. “Insights into the bioactive compounds, antioxidant potential and TLC profiling of different extracts of tomato plants”. Jahangirnagar University Journal of Biological Sciences 7 (2), 65-77.

AWARD

  1.         Government Talent Pool Scholarship in Primary School Examination and BSc (Hon's) Examination.
  2.         Government General Grade Scholarship in Junior School, SSC and HSC Examination.
  3.         Champion, Poster Presentation at the 1st Biotech Fest, 2020.
  4.         Champion, 3 Minute Thesis Presentation at the 1st Biotech Fest, 2020.
  5.         Agricultural Biotechnology Stewardship Technical Committee (ABSTC) full scholarship to attend 15th International society for Biosafety research (ISBR) Symposium, Spain.
  6.         Multiple awards and certificates in debate competition, public speaking, essay writing and poem recitation throughout the academic career.

SEMINAR

  1. 16th International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) Symposium, St. Louis, USA in 2023 organized by International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR).
  2. 10th International Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference on Innovative Biotechnology for 4th Industrial Revolution in 2023 organized by BAPTC&B.
  3. 5th Young Scientist Congress, 2022 organized by Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS).
  4. International Conference on Genome Editing in Plants: Harnessing the Benefits for Bangladesh in 2022. Organized by BAS, BARC, SABP, AFSI and BCIL.
  5. Biotechnology Outreach Conference in 2022 organized by SABP, AFSI, BCIL and USDA.
  6. Workshop on Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants in 2022 by SABP and Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA).
  7. Outreach seminar series on Genome Editing in Agriculture (2 events) in 2021-22 organized by SABP in collaboration with Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS).
  8. Knowledge sharing and discussion on Biosafety Policy and Regulatory Affairs in Bangladesh, 2022, organized by Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB).
  9. Biotechnology Regulatory Framework and Forging a Path Forward, 2022, organized by FFB. 
  10. Outreach event on “Agricultural Biotechnology: Global and Local Experience” in 2021 by USAID.
  11. SABP Webinar Series for capacity building on biosafety with the students and early career researchers of Bangladesh during 2020-21 (10 events).
  12. Workshop on “Genetically Modified Food – Requirements for Legal Compliance and Consumer Awareness” in 2020 organized by SABP and BFSA.
  13. 2nd Institutional Biosafety Officer Workshop in 2020 organized by SABP.
  14. Workshop on Communicating Science, Evidence & Policy of Agribiotechnology for Food Security, 2020, organized by Farming Future Bangladesh.
  15. Workshop on Science Communication and Leadership Skill Development, 2020, Organized by Science Porter Bangladesh and Farming Future Bangladesh.
  16. Youth for Science: Evidence, Urgency, and Action, 2019, organized by Farming Future Bangladesh.
  17. Workshop on Latest Innovation and Technologies, 2019, Organized by Sartorius and Bangladesh Science and Technology Concern.
  18. Workshop on Life Science Research and Publication for Beginners, 2018, organized by Graduate Resources Enhancing Center (GREC).
  19. Workshop on “Molecular Dynamics Simulation and Molecular Docking in Plant Biotechnology Research-2018” organized by plant biotechnology laboratory, Jahangirnagar University.
  20. Workshop entitled “Computational Research and its Applications in Materials Science” Organized by Bangladesh Association of Computational Materials Science (BACMS).
  21. Annual Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology Conference 2021 (held in 2022) organized by Bangladesh Association for Plant Tissue Culture & Biotechnology (BAPTC&B).
  22. 1st Biotech Fest, 2020, organized by Biotech Club Jahangirnagar University.
  23. 9th international Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference on Biotechnology for Food Security and Sustainable Environment, 2020, organized by BAPTC&B.
  24. 4th Innovation in Plant and Food Sciences (IPFS)-International Conference of Biotechnology on Health and Agriculture (ICBHA), 2019 organized by Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologist (GNOBB)
  25. 7th annual South Asia Biosafety Conference (SABC), 2019, organized by SABP.
  26. International Seminar on Biotechnology, 2017, organized by British Council, Inspire and Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Jahangirnagar University.
  27. BABG 1st National Congress, 2017, organized by Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates (BABG).
  28. 2nd "International conference on Biosafety and Biosecurity'', 2016, organized by Bangladesh Biosafety and Biosecurity Association (BBBA)
  29. Seminar on “Biotechnology in Academia and Industry-2016” at Jahangirnagar University.
  30. Seminar on “Overview and Safe use of Laboratory Ventilation Equipment (Laminar Air Flow, Biosafety Cabinet and Fume Hood)” by ESCO.
  31. Conference on “61 years of DNA: Diamond Jubilee Celebration of DNA Discovery” at Dhaka University, Bangladesh.

WORKSHOP

IN PERSON TRAINING/WORKSHOPS

  1. Workshop on “Environmental Safety Concepts and the Bangladesh Guidelines for Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Plants” organized by Department of Environment (DoE), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, October 13-14, 2023.
  2. Workshop on “Safety Assessment of Foods and Feeds Derived from Genetically Engineered Plants” organized by Department of Environment (DoE), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, September 8-10, 2023.
  3. Workshop on “Introduction to Concepts of Biosafety and Biosafety in Research & Development” organized by Department of Environment (DoE), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, July 14-15, 2023.
  4. First, Second and Third Biosafety Clearing House (BCH) Bangladesh National Workshop organized by Department of Environment (DoE), Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, 2021-23.
  5. Institutional Biosafety Officer Training Program (6 events) organized by Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, 2021-22.
  6. Training on “Structural Bioinformatics at Dept. of Microbiology, Shivaji University, Maharashtra, India. Training completed as part of the thesis work. Received training as a foreign student under MOU between Shivaji University and Jahangirnagar University, 2019.
  7. Training on “Basic Biotechnology” organized by National Institute of Biotechnology, 2018.
  8. Training titled “Biosafety and Animal Cell Culture for Advanced Research organized by Cell Culture Laboratory, Centre for Advance Research (CARS), University of Dhaka, 2018.
  9. Training titled “Computer Aided Drug Design organized by The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka.
  10. Training on “Computational Chemistry for All” organized by The Red-Green Research Centre, Dhaka.
  11. Training on “Advanced Techniques in Biotechnology” organized in collaboration with University of Leeds, UK at Jahangirnagar University, 2017.
  12. Training on “Advanced Molecular Techniques and Primer Design” organized by Invent Technologies Limited at Jahangirnagar University, 2016. 

ONLINE TRAINING/WORKSHOP/COURSES

  1. Massive open online course on “Ecosystem Restoration” offered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through Learning for Nature, 2022.
  2. E-learning course on “Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Development” offered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through Learning for Nature, 2022.
  3. Research and Proposal Writing in the Sciences (2022)” offered by INASP and AuthorAID.
  4. UNCC:Learn E-course on “Building Climate Resilience Through Ecosystem Based Adaptation Planning” by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), 2022.
  5. UNCC:Learn “Specialized Module on Human Health and Climate Change” by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and World Health Organization (WHO), 2022.
  6. UNCC:Learn E-course on “Climate Change: From Learning to Action” by United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), 2022.
  7. E-learning course on “Project Management Essentials” offered by Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation through DisasterReady.org, 2022.
  8. E-learning course on "Genetic Variability in Crops" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2021.
  9. E-learning course on "Environmental Risk Assessment of Non-Target Organisms for GE Crops" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2021.
  10. E-learning course on "Application of Problem Formulation to the Environmental Risk Assessment of Genetically Engineered Crops" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2020.
  11. E-learning course on "Confined Field Trials of Genetically Engineered Plants" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2020.
  12. "Bioinformatic Methods I" authorized by University of Toronto and offered through Coursera, 2020.
  13. "Bioinformatic Methods II" authorized by University of Toronto and offered through Coursera, 2020.
  14. "Plant Bioinformatics" authorized by University of Toronto and offered through Coursera, 2020.
  15. E-learning course on "Concepts in the Safety Assessment of Novel Food and Feed" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2019.
  16. E-learning course on "Application of Problem Formulation to Food and Feed Safety Assessments" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2019.
  17. E-learning course on "Understanding Low Level Presence in Agricultural Biotechnology" offered by the Agriculture and Food Systems Institute (AFSI), 2019.

OTHER

ORAL PRESENTATIONS/CONDUCTED SESSIONS

  1. "Public Perception of Bt Brinjal and Modern Biotechnology in Bangladesh" in 16th International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR) Symposium, St. Louis, USA. 2023.
  2. "Relevance of Data Requirements" in Fifth Workshop of the IBO Training Program, 2022.
  3. "Using Plant Biology Documents for Planning and Conduct of CFTs" in Fourth Workshop of the IBO Training Program, 2022.
  4. "Ensuring Biosafety During Handling, Storage, Transfer, Shipment, and Disposal of GM Plant Material" in Third Workshop of the IBO Training Program, 2022.
  5. "Recording Formats- Why and How" in Second Workshop of the IBO Training Program, 2022.
  6. "Biosafety Exercise- Basic Laboratory Safety and Personal Hygiene" in First Workshop of the IBO Training Program, 2021.
  7. "Insights into the Bioactivity of Panax ginseng Adventitious Roots Grown in Bangladesh" in 1st Biotech Fest, 2020.
  8. "Roots that Grow Beyond Boundaries" in Three Minute Thesis Presentation Segment of National Biotech Fair, 2020.
  9. "Insights into the Bioactivity of Panax ginseng Adventitious Roots Grown in Bangladesh: A Combined In Vitro and In Silico Approach" in 4th IPFS-GNOBB International Conference of Biotechnology on Health and Agriculture (ICBHA), 2019.
  10. "In Vitro Cultivation of Panax ginseng Adventitious Roots through Bioreactor Technology and In Silico Anti-Alzheimer’s activity of ginseng’s Active pharmacological Agents" in 9th international Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology Conference, 2019.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS

  1. "Establishment of Laboratory-Scale Bioreactor Mediated Adventitious Root Culture of Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and Evaluation of Their Health Effects." at 5th Young Scientist Congress, 2022.
  2.  "Analysis of Pharmacological Properties and Anti-fungal Potential of Four Anthraquinones of Senna alata L." in Annual Botanical Conference, 2020.
  3.  "Screening of Phytochemicals, Antioxidant and TLC Profiling of Different Parts of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Plants" in Annual Botanical Conference 2020.
  4. "In Silico Investigations on Bioactivity and Anti-Alzheimer Potential by Selected Ginsenosides from Panax Ginseng C. A. Meyer" in 1st Biotech Fest, 2020.
  5. "Public Perceptions of Bt Brinjal in Bangladesh" at 15th International society for Biosafety research (ISBR) Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, 2019.


Teaching

Course Code Course Title Semester/Year
BGE 111 Biology Practical BSc 1st Year
BGE 201 Basic Genetics BSc 2nd Year
BGE 205 Metabolism-I BSc 2nd Year
BGE 309 Biosafety, Ethics and Regulation in Biotechnology BSc 3rd Year
BGE 310 Bioinformatics BSc 3rd Year
BGE 315 Bioinformatics Practical BSc 3rd Year
BGE 401 Genomics and Proteomics BSc 4th Year
BGE 409 Downstream Processing BSc 4th Year

Academic Info

Institute: Jahangirnagar University
Period: 2018-19
  • Level of Education: MS 
  • Name of the Degree: Master of Science in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
  • Degree Year: 2017
  • Department: Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
  • Obtained GPA: 3.97 on a scale of 4.00
  • Merit Position: 1st
Institute: Jahangirnagar University
Period: 2013-17
  • Level of Education: BSc (Hon's)
  • Name of the Degree: Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
  • Degree Year: 2016
  • Department: Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
  • Obtained cGPA: 3.93 on a scale of 4.00
  • Merit Position: 2nd 
Institute: Birshrestha Noor Mohammad Rifles Public School and College, Dhaka
Period: 2011
  • Level of Education: HSC
  • Name of the Degree: Higher Secondary Certificate
  • Group: Science
  • Obtained GPA: 5.00 on a scale of 5.00
Institute: Shohagpur S.K Pilot High School, Sirajganj
Period: 2009
  • Level of Education: SSC
  • Name of the Degree: Secondary School Certificate
  • Group: Science
  • Obtained GPA: 5.00 on a scale of 5.00

Experience

Organization: Jahangirnagar University
Position: Lecturer
Period: 21/09/2023 to Present
Organization: South Asia Biosafety Program; C/o, CIMMYT Bangladesh
Position: Deputy Manager
Period: 01/05/2023 to 20/09/2023
Organization: South Asia Biosafety Program; C/o, CIMMYT Bangladesh
Position: Biosafety Officer
Period: 01/08/2019 to 30/04/2023

Activity

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS

  • Office Secretary | Executive Committee (2021-23) | Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates.
  • Member | Executive Committee (2019-21) | Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates.
  • Mentor | JU Biotech Club.
  • Vice president | Executive Committee | Jahangirnagar University Biotechnology Alumni Association.
  • Registered Member | Bangladesh Association of Plant Tissue Culture and Biotechnology (BAPTC&B).
  • Registered Member | International Society for Biosafety Research (ISBR).
  • Team Leader | Research Wing | Science Porter Bangladesh (SPB).
  • Member | Young Professionals for Agricultural Development (YPARD).
  • General Member | Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists (GNOBB).
  • Life Member | Bangladesh Association of Biotechnology Graduates (BABG).
  • Life Member | Jahangirnagar University Registered Graduates. 
  • Contributing Member-Global Outreach | American Society for Microbiology (ASM).
  • Member | The American Center, US Embassy.
  • Member | Executive Committee (2016-17) | JU Biotech Club.

Contact

Sium Ahmed

Lecturer
Department of Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh.
Cell Phone: 01737792464
Email: siumahmed@juniv.edu , siumahmed@bgeju.edu.bd