Dr. Mohammad Abu Khaled is a nutrition scientist working in the United States. He began his career as a chemistry teacher at Rajshahi Cadet College, where he established the first chemistry lab. Later, he earned his doctorate from the University of London in England. Currently, he is a professor at the University of Alabama, USA, and is conducting research in nutritional science and medical innovation.

Dr. Khaled’s main research areas include developing various instruments and drugs for the treatment of diarrhea, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and migraines. The DFBIA device he invented is used to measure the degree of diarrheal disease. Additionally, he has played a key role in developing drugs such as Diabrex, Extend, Rheumadol, and Cephpax. He is conducting research work not only in Bangladesh but also in India and other countries.

The One Who Reads the Body from Within: Dr. Abu Khaled’s Scientific Journey in Human Nutrition Research

In developing countries like Bangladesh, malnutrition, dehydration, infectious diseases, and chronic illnesses are all intricately interconnected. Physicians diagnose diseases based on symptoms, but a scientist’s role is to measure invisible changes inside the body—to determine where problems begin and how they can be prevented. Dr. Abu Khaled’s internationally acclaimed research in human nutrition is directly connected to the real challenges faced in countries like Bangladesh. Having conducted extensive research in human nutrition at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Medical Center in the United States, this scientist has shown through real-world application that science is not meant to remain confined within laboratory walls; it truly matters when it benefits people’s lives.

From Roots to the World Stage: Education and Career Path

Dr. Abu Khaled was born in West Bengal. He completed his undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Calcutta, then earned his master’s degree in physical chemistry at Aligarh Muslim University. In 1966, he moved to what was then East Pakistan and joined the first batch of teachers at Rajshahi Cadet College, where he also led the establishment of the chemistry department. Thanks to his talent, he was awarded the opportunity to participate in a U.S. government-supported training program, and in 1970 he went to the United States.

After a period of political unrest in the country, he earned his PhD in biophysics from the University of London through a Colombo Plan Scholarship. During his research, he used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)—a modern measurement technique—to analyze molecular structures and published a notable number of research papers. Later, he joined the University of Alabama at Birmingham as a postdoctoral researcher and quickly secured a permanent teaching position. Transitioning from biochemistry to the department of human nutrition, he helped bridge nutrition science with modern measurement technology. His research on anti-cancer drug development earned a patent as well.

What Is Human Nutrition—In Simple Terms

Human nutrition is not just about what foods keep the body healthy. It also involves understanding the balance of water, fat, protein in the body; the role of vitamins and minerals; and how the body expends energy during illness—all these factors matter. For example, just as a mobile phone needs battery charge to operate, the human body needs energy to function, and that energy comes from food. Dr. Abu Khaled combined these topics into a course called “Body Composition and Energy Metabolism.”

Measuring Water Inside the Body: The Story of the BIA Method

Dr. Abu Khaled’s most noteworthy contribution is the invention of a non-invasive method for determining body water and fat content. Non-invasive means measurements can be taken without any physical cuts or incisions. In his improved Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) method, a very small electric current is passed through the body. The body’s water and electrolytes conduct this current easily, but fat resists it. By measuring the level of this resistance, the ratio of water and fat in the body can be determined.

This method was first used on children at icddr,b in 1988. The severity of dehydration caused by diarrhea or cholera could be quickly and accurately assessed using this device. This allowed doctors to administer the correct amount of fluids when required; excessive fluids can cause water to accumulate in the lungs—a danger that can be avoided with this technique. Later research also found that the likelihood of survival in premature infants could be predicted in advance.

To make this technology even more accessible, Dr. Khaled’s goal is to reduce the cost of the $7–8,000 device to under $500, make it portable and solar-powered, so it can be used in rural areas as well.

From Infection to Chronic Disease: H. pylori Research

In Bangladesh, many children are infected with Helicobacter pylori bacteria within a few months of birth; the prevalence is even higher among adults. This bacterium is responsible for ulcers and gastric problems. Dr. Abu Khaled’s research is exploring the possible connections between this infection and heart disease, diabetes, or stroke. This is because long-term infection leads to inflammation in the body, which is now recognized as a major factor behind many chronic diseases. He is also conducting research on these associations among the African American population in the United States.

Bangladesh’s Reality: The Problem of Salt, Sugar, and Awareness

In the context of Bangladesh, Dr. Abu Khaled believes that a lack of awareness regarding hygiene and nutrition is a big problem. Excessive salt and sugar in food—what he calls ‘S and S’—increases the long-term risk of diabetes and high blood pressure. The habit of consuming excessive carbohydrates with a plate of rice leads to higher blood sugar risk. Additionally, H. pylori infection can increase anemia in mothers, since this bacterium absorbs iron from the body—a problem that can be treated with antibiotics.

Vision for the Future and Message to the Youth

Dr. Abu Khaled’s research does not stop at laboratory success; his dream is to deliver technology to the field. In the context of developing countries, his aim is to innovate effective, affordable technology. His message to young people is clear—science is not just about earning degrees, but about being involved in solving societal problems. Even when working abroad, a scientist’s greatest responsibility is to keep the needs of their homeland in mind.

Dr. Abu Khaled’s journey of contributing to international standard research from the soil of Bangladesh serves as a strong inspiration for the youth. His work is a reminder that when science connects with people’s daily lives, it becomes a source of national pride.

English Text:

Reading the Body from Within: Dr. Abu Khaled’s Scientific Journey in Human Nutrition

In countries like Bangladesh, malnutrition, dehydration, infection, and chronic disease are tightly interwoven challenges. Clinicians often diagnose illness by visible symptoms, but a scientist’s task is to measure what is invisible inside the body—how water, fat, and nutrients change, where imbalance begins, and how timely intervention can save lives. Dr. Abu Khaled, a Bangladeshi-origin scientist working at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Medical Center, has devoted his career to precisely this intersection of human nutrition, physiology, and practical technology. His work stands out not only for its scientific rigor but also for its real-world relevance to low-resource settings like Bangladesh.

From Roots to the Global Stage: Education and Early Career

Born in West Bengal, Dr. Khaled completed his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at the University of Calcutta and later earned a master’s degree in Physical Chemistry from Aligarh Muslim University. In 1966, he moved to what was then East Pakistan and joined Rajshahi Cadet College as one of the first batch of teachers, where he helped establish the Chemistry department. His academic excellence led to opportunities for advanced training abroad, and in 1970 he traveled to the United States under a government-supported training program.

Amid the political upheavals of the early 1970s, Dr. Khaled secured the Colombo Plan Scholarship and completed his PhD in Biophysics at the University of London. During his doctoral research, he worked extensively with Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), a powerful technique for studying molecular structure, and published a significant number of scientific papers. In 1975, he joined UAB as a postdoctoral researcher under Dr. Dan Urry, quickly building a strong publication record. He was soon offered a faculty position, initially in Biochemistry and later in the Department of Human Nutrition. His early work at UAB also contributed to anticancer drug development, leading to a patent—an early indicator of his ability to translate basic science into applied innovation.

What Is Human Nutrition—In Simple Terms

Human nutrition goes far beyond the question of “what should we eat.” It examines how the body is composed—how much water, fat, protein, vitamins, and minerals it contains—and how energy is produced and spent, especially during illness. Dr. Khaled developed and taught a course on “Body Composition and Energy Metabolism,” helping students understand how the body’s internal balance changes in health and disease. Just as a smartphone depends on battery power to function, the human body depends on energy derived from food; when illness strikes, that energy balance can change dramatically, sometimes with life-threatening consequences.

Measuring What the Eye Cannot See: The BIA Breakthrough

One of Dr. Khaled’s most impactful contributions is the development and field application of non-invasive methods to measure body composition—particularly body water and fat. His work with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) provided a simple yet powerful way to assess hydration status. The principle is straightforward: a very small electrical current passes through the body. Tissues rich in water and electrolytes conduct electricity easily, while fat offers resistance. By measuring this resistance, clinicians can estimate how much water and fat the body contains.

In 1988, Dr. Khaled and his collaborators introduced BIA in Bangladesh at icddr,b, applying it to children suffering from diarrhea and cholera. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of death in such cases. The BIA method enabled rapid and accurate assessment of the severity of dehydration—mild, moderate, or severe—allowing clinicians to tailor fluid therapy more precisely. This reduced the risks of both under-treatment and overhydration, the latter of which can cause fluid accumulation in the lungs. Subsequent studies extended this approach to premature infants, helping predict survival outcomes. The method is now moving toward patenting, highlighting its global significance.

From Infection to Chronic Disease: Research on H. pylori

Another major strand of Dr. Khaled’s work focuses on Helicobacter pylori, a bacterial infection that affects a large proportion of the Bangladeshi population early in life. This bacterium is known to cause gastritis and peptic ulcers. Dr. Khaled’s research explores whether chronic H. pylori infection is also linked to long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. The underlying idea is inflammation: persistent infection leads to chronic inflammation, which is now recognized as a central driver of many non-communicable diseases. His ongoing studies among African American populations in Birmingham seek to better understand these broader health implications.

Bangladesh in Focus: Salt, Sugar, and Public Awareness

Reflecting on Bangladesh’s public health challenges, Dr. Khaled emphasizes two major gaps: hygiene and nutritional awareness. Diets high in salt and sugar—what he calls the “S and S” problem—contribute significantly to hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. High carbohydrate intake, common in traditional diets, can further exacerbate these risks when combined with excessive salt and sugar. He also points out that H. pylori infection can worsen anemia in mothers, as the bacteria interfere with iron absorption—an issue that can often be addressed with appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Looking Ahead: Technology for the Last Mile

Dr. Khaled’s vision is firmly rooted in accessibility. While BIA devices currently cost several thousand dollars, he aims to develop a portable, solar-powered version priced within reach of rural clinics—around USD 500. Such a device could function even in areas without reliable electricity, making advanced diagnostic capability available to the most underserved populations.

A Message for the Next Generation

For young Bangladeshi students aspiring to careers in science, Dr. Khaled’s journey carries a clear message: science is not only about degrees, laboratories, or publications. Its highest purpose lies in solving real problems faced by society. Even when working abroad, maintaining a commitment to the needs of one’s home country can turn research into meaningful impact.

Dr. Abu Khaled’s career exemplifies how rigorous science, when guided by social responsibility, can become a source of national pride—and a powerful inspiration for the next generation of researchers.