Sugandha Paul

Lecturer

Sugandha Paul is a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at Notre Dame University Bangladesh. She completed both her B.Sc. and MS in Microbiology from Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU).

Before joining Notre Dame University Bangladesh, she served as a Lecturer in the Department of Microbiology at Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS), where she taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses and supervised student research projects. Prior to her academic career, she worked as a Senior Microbiologist in the Research and Development Division of Apex Biofertilizers and Biopesticides Limited and as a Postgraduate Research Fellow at the National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB), gaining extensive experience in microbiology research, molecular biology, bioinformatics, and microbial biotechnology.

Her research interests include microbial biotechnology, molecular microbiology, antimicrobial resistance, microbial enzyme technology, genomics, bioinformatics, and sustainable agricultural microbiology. She is actively engaged in microbiological research and is committed to advancing scientific knowledge while contributing to excellence in teaching and student mentorship.

Education

• Master of Science (MS) in Microbiology
  Noakhali Science & Technology University
• Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Microbiology
  Noakhali Science & Technology University
• Higher Secondary Certificate (H.S.C) in the group of Science
  Cox’s Bazar Govt. College
• Secondary School Certificate (S.S.C) in the group of Science
  Cox’s Bazar Govt. Girls’ High School

Experience

1. Lecturer

Department of Microbiology, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences (BUHS)

June 2024 – July 2026

• Taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses in microbiology.
• Conducted practical laboratory sessions and supervised undergraduate and postgraduate research projects.

2. Senior Microbiologist (R&D)

Apex Biofertilizers and Biopesticides Limited

March 2022 – May 2024

• Conducted research and development on microbial formulations for sustainable biofertilizer production.
• Performed molecular biology, microbiology, and quality assurance techniques for product development.

3. Postgraduate Research Fellow

National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB)

January 2019 – February 2022

• Conducted research on microbial biotechnology, enzyme technology, molecular microbiology, and bioinformatics.
• Performed molecular and microbiological laboratory techniques, sequence analysis, and scientific data interpretation.

Trainings & Seminars

Bangladesh University of Health Sciences [12/05/2026]

• Seminar on “Teaching Methods: Changing the Paradigm of Classroom Experience” focusing on innovative student-centered teaching strategies and active learning approaches.

11th Agro Bangladesh Expo 2023 (ICCB) [28/09/2023 – 30/09/2023]

• Exhibitor representative at Apex Bio-Fertilizers & Bio-Pesticides Limited during Agro Bangladesh Expo 2023 (ICCB) – Promoted biofertilizer and biopesticide technologies to national and international stakeholders; contributed to industry–academia linkage and applied biotechnology outreach; strengthened skills in scientific communication, networking, and research presentation.

National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) [07/07/2021 – 10/08/2021]

• Training on “Fundamentals of Bioinformatics for Biologist” covering introduction to bioinformatics and bioinformatics laboratory; installation of required software/tools; bioinformatic file formats and text editing tools; nucleic acid databases and data mining; proteomics; Sanger sequence data analysis; DNA amplification and cloning; comparative genomics; evolutionary relationship determination; network biology; whole genome assembly and annotation; and molecular docking.

BioSol Centre, Dhaka [17/01/2020 – 18/01/2020]

• Workshop on “A Systematic Multi-omics Analysis in Human Cancer Using Bioinformatics Approaches” covering expression analysis of breast cancer, clinico-pathological analysis, immuno-histochemistry analysis, methylation status, mutation and copy number alterations, protein-protein interactions, patient survival analysis, co-expression and gene correlation analysis, R2 genomics analysis, Venn diagrams, and pathway analysis.

National Institute of Biotechnology (NIB) [07/08/2019]

• Workshop on “Illumina Next-Generation Scientist and Bioinformatics” focusing on next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies developed by Illumina and their applications in bioinformatics and genomics research.

icddr’b, Dhaka [05/12/2017 – 06/12/2017]

• Workshop on “Biosafety and Biosecurity in Outbreak Investigation”; “Biological Waste Management”; “Principles and Practices of Biosafety and Biosecurity”; “Biological Safety Cabinets Selection, Installation, Certification, and Maintenance” focusing on laboratory safety practices, risk assessment, biological waste handling, biosafety and biosecurity standards, and biological safety cabinet selection and maintenance.

Noakhali Science and Technology University [12/12/2016]

• Seminar on “Overview & Safe Use of Laboratory Ventilation Equipment (Laminar Air Flow, Bio-safety Cabinets & Fume Hood)” focusing on safe operation, maintenance, and proper use of laboratory ventilation and containment systems.

Projects

01/03/2022 – 28/02/2024

• Development of Fertilizer Using Eco-Friendly Microorganisms for Field Application – Developed sustainable biofertilizers by isolating and formulating beneficial microorganisms to enhance soil fertility and crop yield, employing microbial culture, fermentation, and quality testing for effective field application.

01/09/2021 – 28/02/2022

• Isolation of Phytase Enzyme–Producing Bacteria and Cloning of the Phytase Gene into Escherichia coli for Animal Feed Development – Isolated phytase-producing bacteria and cloned the phytase gene into E. coli to develop enzyme-enriched animal feed, enhancing nutrient availability and promoting sustainable livestock nutrition.

01/01/2020 – 31/08/2021

• Screening and Characterization of Potential Microbes for Biotechnological Applications – Collected microbial samples from soil, water, and compost environments, and screened and characterized diverse strains for enzymatic and metabolic properties, identifying microorganisms with potential for industrial, agricultural, and environmental biotechnology applications.

01/01/2019 – 31/12/2020

• Development of Ecofriendly Microbial Enzymes for Leather and Textile Processing – Developed sustainable microbial enzymes using carefully selected microbes with strong enzymatic activity for leather and textile processing. The project focused on optimizing microbial enzyme production and application to replace harsh chemicals, improve process efficiency, and reduce environmental impact.

Publications

2026

1. Characterization of Bacterial Communities and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Pus Specimens from a Tertiary Care Hospital in Dhaka
   Authors: Shamsun Nahar Ahmed, Deb Jyoti Mukharjee, Sugandha Paul, Shameem Akter, Shahab Uddin, Abu Hashem
   Journal: The Journal of Chemistry Insights and Discoveries
   Publisher: BioLuster Research Center Ltd. (BLRCL)
   (Submitted)

2025

1. Isolation, in silico characterization, and cloning of a keratinase gene into Escherichia coli and production and purification of keratinase enzyme
   Authors: Sugandha Paul, Sumaiya Sharmin, Md. Hassan Al-Banna, Palash Kumar Sarker, Mohammad Uzzal Hossain, Modhusudon Shaha, Tahrima Arman Tusty, Md. Saddam Hossain, Sanjoy Kumar Mukharjee, Ahsan Habib, Md. Sagir Ahmed, Abu Hashem
   Journal: AMB Express
   Publisher: SpringerOpen
   (Submitted)
2. Detection of Microbial Contamination in Chicken Meat from Local Markets and a Supermarket in Dhaka, Bangladesh
   Authors: Shah Md. Zahurul Haque Asna, Deb Jyoti Mukharjee, Shamsun Nahar Ahmed, Sugandha Paul
   Journal: Bangladesh Journal of Health and Allied Sciences
   Publisher: Bangladesh University of Health Sciences
   (Accepted)

Conference Paper

2025

1. Bacteriological quality assessment of poultry chicken meat from local market and supermarket in Dhaka, Bangladesh
   Authors: Deb Jyoti Mukharjee, Shamsun Nahar Ahmed, Sugandha Paul, Shah Md. Zahurul Haque Asna
   Journal: 39th BSM Annual Conference
   Volume, Issue and Pages: MFA-P07
   Publisher: Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM)

2023

1. Production, in silico molecular characterization and partial purification of a keratinase enzyme from recombinant Escherichia coli PHL565
   Authors: Sugandha Paul, Md. Hassan Al Banna, Sumayia Sharmin, Sanjoy Kumar Mukharjee, Ahsan Habib, Tahrima Arman Tusty, Modhusudon Shaha, S. M. Abu Sayem, Md. Salimullah, Abu Hashem and Palash Kumar Sarker
   Journal: 36th BSM Annual Conference
   Volume, Issue and Pages: PIBO-04
   Publisher: Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM)
2. Production and in silico Characterization of Alpha-Amylase by newly isolated Bacillus subtilis S108 from municipal solid waste
   Authors: Md. Rafiuzzaman, Tahrima Arman Tusty, Sugandha Paul, Sumayia Sharmin, Iqbal Kabir Jahid, Abu Hashem and Palash Kumar Sarker
   Journal: 36th BSM Annual Conference
   Volume, Issue and Pages: PIBP-14
   Publisher: Bangladesh Society of Microbiologists (BSM)

Research Grant

• National Science and Technology Fellowship – Awarded for outstanding M.Sc. thesis research on microbial isolation, enzyme production, and molecular characterization, recognizing excellence in scientific investigation.

Research Interest

• Microbiology
• Molecular Biology (Cloning/Gene expression)
• Bioinformatics
• Microbial enzyme
• Environmental Microbiology
• Clinical Microbiology

Skills

Bioinformatics: Expression analysis of Breast cancer (Oncomine); Clinico-pathological analysis of breast cancer; Immuno-histochemistry analysis (The Human Protein Atlas); Methylation status of breast cancers (UALCAN); Mutation and copy number alterations analysis (cBioPortal); Protein-Protein Interactions (STRING); Patient survival analysis (PrognoScan); Co-expression gene and correlation analysis (Oncomine); R2: Genomics Analysis; Venn Diagram (DrawVenn); Pathway analysis (Enrichr); Applied bioinformatics tools such as BLAST, MEGA, ExPASy, NCBI databases for gene and protein sequence analysis, phylogenetic study, primer design, and protein structure prediction.

Laboratory Research Techniques: Sample processing, media preparation, and microbial cell culture for isolation and screening of industrially important microorganisms; enzyme activity assays, protein quantification, and biochemical characterization of microbial enzymes; DNA and protein extraction, PCR amplification, gel electrophoresis, SDS-PAGE, and gene cloning for molecular and functional studies.

Research: Proficient in scientific writing, reference management, and citation using EndNote and Mendeley.