Bangladeshi scientist develops model to forecast infectious diseases 10yrs in advance
A mathematical model capable of forecasting infectious diseases up to ten years in advance, including dengue and malaria, has been developed through research conducted at Dhaka University.
The model also predicts the scale of climate-related environmental disasters, marking a significant leap forward in disaster preparedness, according to a press release.
Dr Md Tauhedul Islam, Bangladesh's ambassador to Singapore, spearheaded this research under the university's Disaster Management and Climate Resilience Department as part of his PhD thesis.
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The university's syndicate awarded him a PhD on 13 September in recognition of this pioneering work.
Professor Dr ASM Maksud Kamal, Dr Touhid's research supervisor, praised the study as "a unique piece of research" in a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Another academic reviewer highlighted its transformative potential, emphasising how it could empower national, regional, and global authorities to implement timely preventive measures against environmental disasters and infectious diseases.
Dr Tauhedul's work has garnered international acclaim, with several articles published in leading journals focusing on ecology, environment, and infectious diseases.
A career diplomat, Dr Tauhedul Islam ranked first in the 17th BCS examination to join the foreign service. After graduating from Chittagong Medical College, he earned a master's degree from Oxford University and the National Defense College.
His career includes serving in Bangladesh missions across Asia, Europe, and the United States.
During his tenure at the United Nations Bangladesh Mission, Dr Tauhedul represented the country in committees addressing climate, environment, economy, and development for over four years. This experience inspired his deep dive into climate and environmental research, culminating in his revolutionary PhD findings.
This research is poised to reshape global strategies for disaster preparedness and public health management, offering robust solutions to mitigate climate-related challenges and the impact of infectious diseases, reads the press release.
