Research Digest

Research Digest

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This podcast platform showcases influential research by engaging directly with the authors of these publications. Stay tuned.
- Hasan Al Banna (host)

Through in-depth interviews, we delve into the motivations, challenges, and implications of their work.

How to prepare for an Academic Career & Tenure Track Position | Dr. Mirza Galib 28/01/2026

Here's our latest episode as part of the Research Digest Career Series. Here, our guest, Dr. Mirza Galib, has shared his take on what should be considered when you go for higher studies and when you aim for an academic career.

Watch here:

How to prepare for an Academic Career & Tenure Track Position | Dr. Mirza Galib Guest: Mirza Galib, PhDAssistant Professor, Howard University, USA #...

21/12/2025

Episode 9 (Season 2) is out now.

We explored dengue fever and the dengue virus with our special guest, Dr. Juliet Obi, who published exciting new research this year. We also dove into key strategies for pursuing a career at leading biotech firms—think Eli Lilly—and the practical skills and insights that can help you stand out.

You can watch on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platforms.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/sZeQdx8mFU0

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4RjWxfIwoMgUo8AdbRXHog?si=Vnr7wB8gQlOWmZZBGRudlw

18/11/2025

Ever wonder how our cells manage the constant rush of genetic information as mRNA and other non-coding RNAs? 🤔 Inside the nucleus, there are busy 'neighborhoods' without walls, called nuclear compartments, that are crucial for controlling our genes. The problem? They're incredibly difficult to spy on!

But what if we could see what’s happening inside, in both space and time?

Introducing SLAM-RT&Tag! 🚀 A brand-new method we developed to do just that. Think of it like this: We send a tiny probe to a specific protein "landmark" inside the nucleus. This probe not only finds all the newly-made RNA messages nearby but also stamps them with a special molecular timestamp! ⏱️
This gives us an unprecedented look at how, where, and for how long RNA operates within these vital compartments. It's a game-changer for understanding the dynamics of gene expression!

Listen to our latest episode of Research Digest, where we talked with Dr. Nadiya Khyza, the scientist who developed this cool method.

Follow any of the links below to listen to this episode:

Youtube: https://youtu.be/bvS-IvywwZA

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4z74Osc79fi4Zuz2EQMUfX?si=EoVhkX8aS8mRRaS4PdlOYA

Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rna-profiling-transcriptome-dynamics-slam-rt-tag-research/id1785500229?i=1000737173977

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/028f679c-b6a9-4ed9-a3ec-00779d0bb621/episodes/67e11629-6abd-4a9a-bb45-fa0dda896a3c/research-digest-rna-profiling-transcriptome-dynamics-slam-rt-tag-research-digest-with-dr-nadiya-khyzha-s2e8

COVID-19, Dengue, & Emerging Infections | Research Digest with Dr. Mohammad Rubayet Hasan | S2E7 03/11/2025

Season 2 - Episode 7 is out now.
Guest of this episode: Mohammad Rubayet Hasan, PhD
Clinical Microbiologist, Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program;
Associate Professor, McMaster University, Canada.

Watch or listen on the following platforms-

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/dV-BmA7tRuQ

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0FCJpU0mkY60kj58omKSDe?si=v9o4MFRMQIOL5Rjf5BzAeQ

KEYWORDS

COVID-19, Dengue, & Emerging Infections | Research Digest with Dr. Mohammad Rubayet Hasan | S2E7 GUEST Mohammad Rubayet Hasan, PhD Clinical Microbiologist, Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program Associate Professor, McMaster University, Canada htt...

How to be a Licensed Clinical Microbiologist in the USA & Canada | Dr. Mohammad Rubayet Hasan 26/10/2025

Our latest episode on Science Career is out now.
This is for someone interested in becoming a Licensed Clinical Microbiologist in the USA & Canada (non-physician track).

Watch here:

How to be a Licensed Clinical Microbiologist in the USA & Canada | Dr. Mohammad Rubayet Hasan Guest: Mohammad Rubayet Hasan, PhDClinical Microbiologist, Hamilton Regional Laboratory, Canada Associate Professor, McMaster University, Canada TIMESTAMPS00...

Atmospheric Chemistry and Solid-Electrolyte Interfaces | Research Digest with Dr. Mirza Galib | S2E6 04/10/2025

When the sun goes down, the atmosphere quietly cleans itself. But how? 🤔 For years, scientists thought nitrogen oxides (NOx) vanished deep inside water droplets in the air. Molecular simulations tell a different story - the real action happens right at the droplet’s surface! 💧⚡

In this episode, we discussed Atmospheric Chemistry, Solid-Electrolyte Interfaces, and Molecular Simulations with Dr. Mirza Galib. Dr. Galib is an Assistant Professor of Computational Chemistry at Howard University.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/5x6DxzE_QU0

Spotify Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Rrya2D2E97U9vtJ9MmPj2?si=J6EtKabfQ4KdTaaXn4mkYA

Keywords:

Atmospheric Chemistry and Solid-Electrolyte Interfaces | Research Digest with Dr. Mirza Galib | S2E6 GUEST INTRODUCTIONMirza Galib, PhDAssistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Howard University, USA.https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=ymI99Z...

Biosensors, Nanocatalysts, and DNA Probes | Research Digest with Dr. Jagotamoy Das | S2 E5 21/09/2025

🚀 Imagine a future where your body’s health signals can be tracked in real time - without added reagents, just smart molecular sensors. Researchers have developed a breakthrough reagentless biosensing mechanism called the molecular pendulum, capable of detecting key protein markers linked to stress, allergies, cardiovascular health, inflammation, and even cancer.

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of cutting-edge analytical biochemistry with Dr. Jagotmoy Das, exploring innovations like the molecular pendulum, alongside his earlier breakthroughs in nanocatalyst-based electrochemical assays and other pioneering research.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/4Wk9VKuwmTc

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6gnC522F2LYdSZFhXIPA6u?si=9uAO1vV6T8KDRILaj-HIJA

Biosensors, Nanocatalysts, and DNA Probes | Research Digest with Dr. Jagotamoy Das | S2 E5 GUEST INTRODUCTIONJagotamoy Das, PhDResearch Associate Professor,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University. https://scholar.google.co.in/citations?use...

PhD Admissions in the USA: Crafting a Winning Application 06/09/2025

🎙️ Thinking about a PhD in the USA? The application is more than just grades; it’s about telling your story, showcasing your research potential, and standing out in a competitive pool. In this episode, we break down what makes a winning application and how you can craft yours with confidence.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/pYxkPQKn-qg

This is a special episode of the DUBANA Talk, organized by the Dhaka University Biochemistry Alumni in North America (DUBANA).

TIME STAMPS
00:00:00 - Introducing the topic
00:03:27 - Introductory remarks by Dr. Wara
00:05:00 - PhD opportunities in the USA and the overall application process
00:27:45 - How to contact and manage professors for funding
00:40:32 - How to choose the right University/ Program/ Lab
00:59:50 - How to craft an outstanding CV for a PhD purpose
01:14:03 - How to write a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP)
01:30:06 - Preparing and sending scores: IELTS/ TOEFL/ GRE
01:42:45 - How to request & send Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
01:59:30 - How to prepare for an impressive interview with the admission review committee
02:16:39 - Concluding remarks by Dr. Ferdaus

PhD Admissions in the USA: Crafting a Winning Application 🎙️ Thinking about a PhD in the USA? The application is more than just grades; it’s about telling your story, showcasing your research potential, and standin...

Brain Development, Childhood adversity, S*x differences | Research Digest with Rafiad Islam | S2E4 04/09/2025

In this episode of the Research Digest Podcast, we dive into a fascinating study titled “Early adversity causes sex-specific deficits in perforant pathway connectivity and contextual memory in adolescent mice,” published in Biology of S*x Differences (2024, Volume 15, Article 39, BMC/Springer Nature).

Our guest, lead author Dr. Rafiad Islam, takes us behind the scenes of this research - unpacking the scientific background, highlighting the key discoveries, and sharing exciting insights into where this line of work is headed next.

Brain Development, Childhood adversity, S*x differences | Research Digest with Rafiad Islam | S2E4 In this episode of the Research Digest Podcast, we discussed the article titled “Early adversity causes sex-specific deficits in perforant pathway connectivi...

Heart Disease (CHD), Gene-Environment Interaction | Research Digest with Talita Choudhury | S2E3 16/08/2025

In this episode of the Research Digest Podcast, we dive into a fascinating study published in JCI Insight, titled “Impact of genetic factors on antioxidant rescue of maternal diabetes–associated congenital heart disease.”

We had the pleasure of chatting with the lead author, Dr. Talita Z. Choudhury, who walked us through the story behind the research, the key discoveries, and what this could mean for future studies in the field.

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Nw9wmah863s

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7lYYEKVAJGVN2BdHqumGli?si=lM4TDZfmSja9yx3Db7Ufug

TIMESTAMPS
01:15 – Guest Introduction
02:55 – Introducing the Research Article
03:30 – Congenital heart disease (CHD) and its epidemiology
07:35 – External factors associated with CHD
09:47 – How/why this project was started
12:00 – Major findings
23:02 – A research challenge that was overcome
27:30 – Future directions

Heart Disease (CHD), Gene-Environment Interaction | Research Digest with Talita Choudhury | S2E3 In this episode of the Research Digest Podcast, we dive into a fascinating study published in JCI Insight (2024) titled “Impact of genetic factors on antioxi...

Tips for Industry/Biotech career in the USA | Safiqul Islam Russell | Career in Science Part 1 03/08/2025

🎙️ Are you a graduate in Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pharmacy, or another life science discipline? Finding the right job can be tough—but you're not alone. We're launching a special podcast series to explore diverse career paths for scientists beyond academia.

In this first episode, we dive into opportunities in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries. We cover actionable strategies for landing industry roles, crafting a strong application, preparing for interviews, and setting realistic expectations for career growth.

Our guest, Dr. Safiqul Islam Russell, shares his firsthand insights from working in multiple biotech companies across the U.S.—offering practical advice and inspiration for aspiring professionals.

🔍 Whether you're a recent graduate or planning a career shift, this episode is packed with insights to help you navigate the transition.



YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ucvpS5E44TA?si=CgrlqcTLWLS1vQSI

Stay tuned for other career options in the next episodes.

Tips for Industry/Biotech career in the USA | Safiqul Islam Russell | Career in Science Part 1 In this special episode, we took a deep dive into the many facets of pursuing a career in industry—from understanding the transition from academia to navigat...

07/07/2025

Season 2 Episode 2 is here!
In this episode of the Research Digest Podcast, we discussed the article titled “Protein bL38 facilitates incorporation of uL6 during assembly of the 50S subunit in Flavobacterium johnsoniae”, published in Nucleic Acids Research (NAR) Journal (Volume 53, Issue 4) on 28 February 2025 by Oxford University Press.

We talked with the leading author, Dr. Md Siddik Alom, about the background of the research work, major findings, and future perspectives.

YouTube link: https://youtu.be/RNxSsZfQ3XY?si=j3nkr9gvpK_0PlNh

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/10oBOkYqUUSaWL1OX6jNyq?si=FXNipyCWTaWfYI4GO1dQWA