Q: What universities have you attended, degrees earned, and graduation years?

I earned my Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) from the University of Chittagong (Chittagong Medical College, Bangladesh) in 2016 and completed my Master of Public Health (Epidemiology) at the American International University-Bangladesh in 2020, graduating with Dean's Honorable Mention and Summa Cum Laude honors. I am now pursuing my PhD in Health Behavior at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).

Q: Which program within the School of Public Health are you currently enrolled in?

PhD in Health Behavior.

Q: What is your anticipated graduation date from your current program?

Spring 2028.

Q: Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Kishoreganj, a very small town in Bangladesh, and started my career as a dental surgeon. Soon, I realized that many of the health and social challenges faced by my patients and community people went far beyond clinical care, sparking my shift toward public health. Over the past six years of my public health journey in different international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), I have led multiple health projects serving marginalized populations, spent more than a year working with the Rohingya refugee community in a humanitarian crisis, developed community resilience-focused interventions for disaster-affected families, and gained extensive experience in grant writing to support community-based programs.

These experiences deepened my commitment to addressing homelessness, mental health, social determinants of health, and inequality. Combined with my graduate training in epidemiology and now my PhD studies in Health Behavior at UAB, they have shaped my vision of public health as a powerful tool for social transformation. At UAB, I have found not only academic resources but also mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration to grow as a researcher that supports my goal of advancing community-based strategies to reduce health disparities and strengthen resilience.

Q: Why did you choose to study public health? And why at UAB?

I chose Health Behavior because I believe sustainable health improvements come from understanding and shaping the behavioral, social, and cultural factors that drive well-being. Learning theories such as the Health Belief Model and theories of behavior sustainability have strengthened my interest in designing and evaluating interventions that create sustainable changes. UAB’s cutting-edge research environment, commitment to equity, and the faculty expertise deeply inspire me — making it the ideal place to grow. I aim to develop community-driven intervention models that reduce disparities and protect the health, dignity, and rights of homeless populations worldwide.

Q: Is there a faculty member who has made an impact on your academic journey so far?

Yes, Dr. Ann Elizabeth Montgomery has profoundly shaped my academic journey at UAB. Her research on homelessness, social determinants of health, and suicide among veterans strongly resonates with my own professional experiences in Bangladesh. Under her mentorship, I have grown into a well-rounded trainee — gaining research experience, teaching, and developing modules on homelessness for undergraduate and master’s students, and expanding my skills as both a scholar and an instructor. She has been an inspiring mentor who has provided me with invaluable exposure to public health research, and her leadership and commitment to community well-being continue to shape my growth.

Q: Have you been involved in any interesting projects or organizations during your time here?

Yes, I have been engaged in several impactful research projects during my time here. Recently, I have worked on suicide mortality among U.S. Veterans, and the intersecting impact of substance use disorders and social determinants of health. I also contributed to studies characterizing veterans who contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans (NCCHV) and worked on research examining changes in outpatient care following migration among veterans experiencing housing instability. These experiences have strengthened my ability to investigate complex health disparities and advance interventions that improve outcomes for high-risk populations.

Q: What’s been your favorite class in the School of Public Health and why?

My favorite course has been Survey Design and Analysis (HB 639) with Dr. Greg Pavela. His teaching style — full of real-world examples, engaging and innovative discussion boards, and constructive feedback — helped me gain valuable skills in cognitive interviewing, questionnaire design, and peer review. I also greatly enjoyed Systematic Review Protocol (HB 795) with Dr. Kathryn Kaiser, where her hands-on approach to protocol development, EndNote, and research methods gave me practical tools I continue to use. Both courses have enriched my knowledge and experiences.