Personal Profile

Biography

Prof. Dr. Shafikur Rahman is an interdisciplinary researcher, plant breeder, and plant biotechnologist. He obtained his Doctoral degree (Ph.D.)  in Agricultural sciences from the University of Kassel, Germany. His recent research activities have primarily focused on fieldwork, investigating various aspects of natural selection in lentils (Lens culinaris), and developing novel approaches and strategies for adapting genotypes to new environments. Through these endeavors, he acquired extensive knowledge in the conservation and management of agricultural commodities, including cereals, oils, and pulses. Additionally, he gained three years of full-time professional experience as a horticulturist at Erlebnispark Ziegenhagen, Ziegenberg 3, D-37217 Germany.

Furthermore, Dr. Rahman completed a mobility MSc degree in the "International Master in Horticultural Science" (IMaHS: 2012–2014) at three partner universities in Europe: the University of Bologna (UniBo), Italy; the Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany; and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU), Vienna, Austria. This program was funded by the Erasmus Mundus scholarship, and his thesis dissertation, titled "Characterization of Malonyltransferase of Arabidopsis thaliana," investigated the analytical measurement of scopolin (a hydroxycoumarin-derived plant secondary metabolite and the 7-O-glucoside of scopoletin, 6-methoxy-7-hydroxycoumarin) using GC-MS, LC-MS, NMR, and HPLC-MS techniques to determine whether scopolin can be malonylated. Prior to this international master's degree, he earned his first MSc in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Bangladesh, where his thesis research focused on the "Morphomolecular Genetic Study of Some Groundnut Genotypes with Microsatellite Markers.

In addition, Dr. Rahman contributed to several research projects, including:

1. Biochemical and Molecular Resources of Peanut to Drought Stress and Their Role in Aflatoxin Contamination;
2. BAU Seed Wing/MoA Characterization and Documentation of Crop Varieties in Bangladesh;
3. Breeding for Saline-Resistant Jute Varieties through Rapid Screening and DNA Marker-Assisted Selection; and
4. Morphological Characterization & Documentation of Salt-Tolerant Rice Varieties of Bangladesh.

As a Research Associate in these projects, his primary responsibilities involved applying molecular techniques for DNA fingerprinting and morphological characterization of crop species in Bangladesh. Research methodology formed the core of his PhD and MSc thesis work, necessitating expertise in population genetics and statistical modeling. He utilized computer packages such as RStudio, PopGen, GenAlEx, and DNAfrag for statistical analysis, alongside various online bioinformatics pipelines, to process morphological and genomic data.
He has visited numerous countries across Asia and Europe, including Germany, Italy, Austria, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, etc. to participate in seminars, conferences, and workshops. He has published more than 30 research articles, including research reports and theses, in various national and international peer-reviewed journals.
 

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Research Interest

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Qualifications

• PhD, University of Kassel (2025)
• International Master in Horticultural Sciences (ErasmusMundus Scholar), University of Bologna (2014)
• International Master in Horticultural Sciences (ErasmusMundus Scholar), Technical University of Munich (TUM) (2014)
• International Master in Horticultural Sciences (ErasmusMundus Scholar), University of Natural Sciences and Resources (BOKU) (2014)
• Master of Science in Genetics and Plant Breeding, Bangladesh Agricultural University (2007)
• Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (BScAg) (Hons), Bangladesh Agricultural University (2004)
• HSC, Shailkupa Govt. Degree college, Shailkupa-7320, Shailkupa, Jhenaidah (2000)
• SSC, Hetampur High School, Shailkupa-7320, Shailkupa, Jhenaidah (1998)

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Previous Positions

• 2010-2047

  Faculty member & student supervisor Patuakhali Science and Technology University

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Membership

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Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goal