On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the International Society of Bangladesh-Affiliated Microbiologists (ISBM) organized a special webinar titled “Celebrating Women Who Shape Science.” Held on Sunday, 29 March 2026 via the Zoom platform, the nearly two-hour virtual event brought together prominent women scientists from Bangladesh and around the world. Approximately 110 participants, including students and professionals, joined the discussions on the current status, challenges, and opportunities for women in science.
The webinar was jointly organized by ISBM Executive Council members Professor Dr. Sangeeta Ahmed, Dr. Nadia Sultana Din, Dr. Salma Akter, Fahmina Jahan Muna, and ISBM Fellow Najmus Sakib. The event was hosted by Tasnimul Arabi Onik, Lecturer at Notre Dame University Bangladesh, and Nazifa Tasnim, Research Assistant at BRAC University. ISBM President Dr. Sheikh Selim delivered the welcome address, highlighting the society’s role in global scientific collaboration and research.
During the scientific session, Professor Dr. Colin Kraft (Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University, USA) discussed the role of the gut microbiota in human health and shared her experiences as a woman scientist. Professor Dr. Munawar Sultana, Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, spoke on scientific communication, teamwork, and key aspects of research careers. Dr. Farzana Diba, Chief Research Officer at the Institute of Tissue Banking & Biomaterial Research, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, shared insights from her research journey and various aspects of tissue banking. Additionally, PhD student Rubaiya Tarannum Shathi from the University of Vermont shared her experiences overcoming challenges as an early-career researcher.
A highlight of the webinar was the special recognition of Dr. Sejuti Saha, ISBM Board of Directors member and Deputy Executive Director of the Child Health Research Foundation, Bangladesh, for receiving the Sabin Rising Star Award 2026. In her brief address, Dr. Saha expressed gratitude to all healthcare workers and volunteers in Bangladesh who contributed to the success of the typhoid vaccination program, emphasizing that the achievement was the result of their collective effort.
In her closing remarks, ISBM Organizing Secretary Dr. Nadia Sultana Din reaffirmed the society’s commitment, as an international scientific platform, to celebrate the accomplishments of women scientists, promote research excellence, and strengthen future global collaborations.
