In our interview series with the new generation, this time we interviewed Shams Nafisa Ali. She is currently serving as a lecturer in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Read her interview below:
First, please tell us a little about yourself.
I am Shams Nafisa Ali, an aspiring researcher from Bangladesh. After graduating with first place (honors) from the Department of Biomedical Engineering at BUET, I am now pursuing my master’s degree in the same department while also working as a lecturer here.
From the very beginning of my undergraduate studies, I have been involved in various research activities at the university, and till now, more than 15 of my research papers have been published in renowned international Q1 journals and conferences. In recognition of my research, I received the “Honda Young Engineer and Scientists’ (Y-E-S) Award 2021” from Japan’s Honda Foundation in 2022. Moreover, in 2023 and 2024, two of my teams won in the Global Healthcare Design Competition organized by the prestigious Rice University and Johns Hopkins University in the USA. I aspire to contribute to the advancement of Bangladesh by integrating AI into the healthcare sector, bridging medicine and technology. My future goal is to actively participate in the development of the medical device industry in Bangladesh, as well as various public health initiatives, to help the country achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
What is the focus of your research?
My main research interests include biomedical signal processing, medical imaging, and the development of machine learning and AI-based healthcare systems. The aim is to enable precise and rapid detection of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases in underprivileged and remote areas through the application of IoT devices and artificial intelligence, even with limited infrastructure. I am also working on affordable wearable devices and mobile health (mHealth) technologies. In line with this, in 2023, I served as the technical lead for the ‘DenguDrops’ app, which was created through a joint initiative between BUET BME and the government’s health services division to automate fluid management for dengue patients. As a researcher, this has been a unique experience in my life.
In essence, I am a traveler on many paths of Bioengineering. Alongside the aforementioned work, I have also gained some experience in wet lab technologies, cell culture, animal models, and smart materials. This brings a unique and multidimensional perspective to my work. I dream of advancing cancer research with the integration of AI into healthcare in the future, and of developing advanced biomarkers and therapeutics.
How do your research projects benefit us?
As a biomedical engineer, all my research is dedicated to improving human healthcare. The AI-based systems I have developed are being integrated into medical imaging, signal processing, and mHealth technologies, playing a crucial role in making diagnosis and treatment faster, more accurate, and more advanced. For example, my research on real-time denoising of heart sounds is particularly helpful for the early detection of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. This is applicable and effective even in the resource-poor healthcare environments of developing countries like Bangladesh, potentially saving countless lives.
In addition, I am committed to building bridges between AI and wet lab research within biomedical applications. I believe this will ultimately ensure better quality care and more effective treatments for patients.
What qualities do you think a scientist should have?
I believe a scientist must possess the 3Cs: Curiosity, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. Curiosity drives a person to ask profound questions about the world, while critical thinking helps analyze data and test hypotheses. Creativity is essential for discovering new solutions and advancing scientific knowledge. Additionally, perseverance, patience, and ethical work practices help scientists overcome challenges, and effective communication skills enable them to share their innovations and discoveries with the wider community for the benefit of humanity.
Do you have any message for young students in Bangladesh who want to pursue science?
When I was in fifth grade, I read a quote: “There is no alternative to hard work and there is no shortcut to success.” This has been my personal motto. So, my message for the young generation of Bangladesh is: Do not seek fame, wealth, or anything else too quickly; love knowledge for its own sake. Keep your curiosity alive and have the courage to be eager to learn new things. Work hard sincerely, stay creative, and learn to help others. Acquire knowledge, appreciate your unique qualities, keep striving without comparing yourself to others, and be determined to do something good for your country and the world.
Science is a challenging but exceptionally rewarding field where your inquisitive mind and creative thinking can take you far. It is an area where there is always an opportunity to learn something new every day. Here, failure is not the end, but rather a step in learning. Each mistake or failure teaches you something new that will help you improve next time. Above all, seek the blessings of the Creator and be patient — success will come.
LinkedIn link
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shams-nafisa-ali/
Your website, research links, etc.
(1) https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JqajiA4AAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
(2) https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Shams-Nafisa-Ali
We thank Shams Nafisa Ali for giving this interview, and we wish her a bright future ahead.
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