Global Minds Unite for the 38th BSM International Conference hosted by Brac University
The 38th Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM) Annual International Conference 2024 was held at BRAC University from 28 to 29 December 2024. The theme was ‘Microbes in Health and Nutrition, ‘ this event united microbiologists and life-science enthusiasts, creating an atmosphere of knowledge exchange. Around 600 registered participants from all over the world attended, including 53 Bangladeshis and 10 international institutions.
The first day commences focussing on a range of technical sessions like Antimicrobial Resistance and Stewardship (ARS), Omics and Molecular Biology, and One Health. In the ARS session, renowned researchers in the microbiology discipline discussed drugs, bacteria, and their effects on our bodies relating to the possibilities of the next pandemic. Then, the inaugural session began with the National Anthem, and Professor M. Mahboob Hossain welcomed all the guests. Professor Manjurul Karim, Special Assistant at the Ministry of Education; Professor M. Aminul Islam was the chief guest; Munirul Alam (President, BSM), Vice Chancellor of BracU Professor Dr. Syed Ferhat Anwar, Pro-VC Professor Dr. Syed Mahfuzul and Microbiology Program Coordinator Dr. Nadia Deen shared their insightful thoughts on this festive and informative conference. Professor Zia Uddin Ahmed, a Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Science, was honored with a Conferral Lifetime Achievement award. The day ended with a poster presentation, during which final-year students presented their thesis abstract.
Day two continued as more presenters shared their research findings during the technical sessions. Each session’s topic fell under different categories of biological science, resonating with the conference’s theme. Under “Epidemiology and Public Health,” National Professional Officer at WHO, Dr. A S M Alamgir, discussed the importance of integrating laboratory sciences and producing One-health solutions for fighting several pathogenic diseases in Bangladesh. During the “Virology, Immunology, and Vaccine Biology” session, Syed Akib Hossain, lecturer at BracU and former research officer at the International Centre of Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B,) presented his research about the role of CD8+ T cell in Guillain Barre Syndrome progression.
Then, the most anticipated Youth Emerging Scientist (YES) session took place to facilitate young researchers’ inventions. It was co-chaired by Dr.Muhammed Ziaur Rahman (Senior Scientist,icddr,b) and Dr.Fahim Kabir Monjurul Haque (Associate professor, Microbiology department, BRAC University)Researchers from various institutions nationwide presented their projects, and an incisive discussion ensued. Four young researchers, Md.Abu Sayem Khan, Akash Ahmed, Fakruddin Murad and MD.Mokibul Hassan Afrad presented their research to the audience.
