Fellow
Prof. Dr. Md Tofazzal Islam
(Fellow, 2016)
CURRENT NATIONALITY:
Bangladesh (BD)
CURRENT RESIDENCE:
Bangladesh (BD)
Professor Dr. Md Tofazzal Islam
Born: 20 December 1966 in Brahmanbaria
Professor Dr. Md Tofazzal Islam is an internationally renowned scientist specializing in molecular ecological chemistry, genomics, genome editing, and agricultural biotechnology.
Education and Fellowships
- BSc Ag (Hon) and MSc (Ag): Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), First Position in First Class.
- MS (1999) and PhD (2002): Hokkaido University, Japan (Japanese Government Monbusho Scholar).
- Postdoctoral Fellowships:
- Alexander von Humboldt Fellow (2007-2009), University of Goettingen, Germany.
- JSPS Postdoctoral Fellow (2003-2005), Hokkaido University, JSPS Invitation Fellow (2015), Gifu University, and JSPS Invitation Fellow (2023-2024), Kobe University Japan.
- Commonwealth Academic Fellow (2013), University of Nottingham, UK.
- Fulbright Visiting Scholar (2017-2018), West Virginia University, USA.
Academic and Professional Positions
- Bangladesh Open University: Lecturer (1994), Assistant Professor (1997), Associate Professor (2004), Professor (2010).
- Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU): Professor, Department of Biotechnology (since 2010), Founding Director of the Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (2019-2021).
- East West University, Dhaka: Adjunct Professor (2014-2017).
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS): Visiting Professor (2020-2023).
- Ambassador: Hokkaido University (2022-2025), Japan
Awards and Honors
- ATN Bangla Developing Bangladesh Award (2021)
- Commonwealth Innovation Award (2019)
- Islamic Development Bank Transformer Roadshow Innovation Award (2018)
- Rotary International Vocational Excellence Award (2017)
- Bangladesh Academy of Science Gold Medal & Award in Biological Sciences (2011)
- Food & Agriculture Award from Oxfam (2011)
- University Grants Commission (UGC) Bangladesh Awards (2004, 2008)
- Best Young Scientist Award from JSBBA (2003)
- Chancellor’s Prize (1995) and Gold Medal from BAU (2003)
Research and Publications
- Published over 350 peer-reviewed articles, edited 12 books, and 25+ book chapters.
- Citation metrics: Total citations: 10,5000, h-index 53, i10-index 180 (as of July 1, 2024).
Editorial and Professional Roles
- Editor: Physiologia Plantarum, PLOS One, Frontiers in Microbiology, and Scientific Reports
- Chief Editor: CRISPR-Cas Methods and Bacilli and Agrobiotechnology (Springer).
- Editorial Advisory Board Member: CABI Reviews.
- Elected Fellow of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, American Phytopathological Society, Bangladesh Academy of Agriculture, and The World Academy of Sciences.
Leadership and Consultancy
- Director of International Affairs, BSMRAU (since June 2024).
- Member of Syndicate, Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Science and Technology University (since January 2024).
- Consultant: Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (China), South Pacific Community (Fiji).
- Visiting Professor: Institute of Plant Protection of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
Research Contributions:
- Discovered the genetic identity and origin of the first epidemic outbreak of wheat blast in Bangladesh in 2016.
- Discovered 50 bioactive secondary metabolites and their mode of actions that are involved in the management of oomycete phytopathogens and fungi.
- Pioneered the discovery and application of probiotic bacteria as biofertilizers and biopesticides for sustainable agriculture.
- Developed a point-of-care diagnostic method for wheat blast using genome-specific primers and CRISPR technology.
- Decoded the whole genome of a year-round jackfruit.
- Decoded the gut microbiome of Hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha)
Mentorship and Supervision
- Supervised numerous postdoctoral (10), PhD (12), and MS (45) fellows.
- Mentored many young scholars in genomics, genome editing, plant probiotics, and wheat blast research.
International Engagement
- Presented at over 150 national and international conferences.
- Organized several international conferences and sessions.
- Visited and collaborated in countries including the USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Japan, Italy, Netherlands, Sweden, Hong Kong, Norway, Malaysia, India, Nepal, China, South Korea, Fiji, Thailand, Iran, Belgium, France, Denmark, Singapore, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Jamaica.
Address: Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University (BSMRAU), Gazipur-1706, Cell:+8801714 001414, Email: tofazzalislam@bsmrau.edu.bd
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
KEYWORDS:
CRISPR-Cas genome editing; genomics; wheat blast; plant probiotics; chemical ecology
ELECTED
2016
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Bijoynagar of Brahmanabaria
COUNTRY OF BIRTH:
Bangladesh (BD)
SECTION:
Biological Sciences
Last updated on 18/04/2025
