M. Oliur Rahman

I have been working as a Professor in the Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Received my Ph.D. from Hiroshima University, Japan in 2003 availing the prestigious Mobukagakusho scholarship of Japan Government. My Doctoral research concentrated on Molecular Systematic and Cytotaxonomic Studies of Utriculria L. (Lentibulariaceae). Prior to join the University of Dhaka I served for Bangladesh national Herbarium as Senior Scientific Officer. My research interests reflect on Plant Taxonomy, Biodiversity Conservation, Moleular Systematics and Phylogentics, and Medicinal Plants. The focus of my research over the past years has been concentrated on Bioprospecting and biological and chemical investigation of medicinal plants including anticancerous and antidiabetic plants of Bangladesh. The findings of my research work have so far resulted in over 70 publications in different peer reviewed prestigious international and national journals including some books. Received several awards and honours for outstanding academic performance. I am currently serving as an Editor for Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy, an international journal having a Thomson Reuters Impact Factor, members of several professional organizations, and reviewer for several national and international journals.

Professional service 1. Contributor, Updating and Mainstreaming of National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plant (NBSAP) (2016). 2. Editor, Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy (2015 - date) 3. Contributor, Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of Bangladesh, Volume 3. Bangladesh National Herbarium, Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (2015). 4. Facilitator, BAPT-AuthorAid Workshop on Improving Research Communication Skills of Young Plant Scientists of Bangladesh, financed by INASP (International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications) and AuthorAid, Oxford, UK (2013). 5. Contributor, Red Data Book of Vascular Plants of Bangladesh, Volume 2. Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (2013). 6. Executive Editor, Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy (BJPT) (2010 - 2014). 7. Reporteaur, Fifth International Botanical Conference 2011: Technical Session 8 – “Systematics and Ethnobotany” (2011). 8. General Secretary, Bangladesh Association of Plant Taxonomists (2008 - 2011). 9. Scrutinizer, Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh, Vols. 6-12. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (2007-2009). 10. Contributor, National Capacity Self Assessment Project, IUCN, funded by UNDP (2007). 11. Contributor, Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh’, Vols. 6-10, 12. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh (2006 - 2009). Contributed the detailed species profile of 377 plant species under 18 angiosperm families in the Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. 12. Councilor, The International Society of Chromosome Botany (2006 -). 13. Contributor, Third National Biodiversity Report of Bangladesh, Ministry of Environment and Forest (2005). 14. Advisor, National Action Program (NAP) for Combating Desertification in Bangladesh’ under United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (2004-2005). 15. Contributor, Medicinal Plants Protection Act, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council, Ministry of Agriculture (2005). 16. Specialist, Species Conservation’ thematic group for preparing the “National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan” (NBSAP) for Bangladesh (2004). 17. Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Association of Plant Taxonomists (2003 - 2007). 18. Botanist, National Biodiversity and Strategic Action Plan, IUCN, Bangladesh, funded by UNDP and GEF (2004). 19. Reviewer, Several National and International journals (2003 – Date) 20. Editor, Medicinal Plants of Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh: Volume 1. Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts (2003-2004). 21. Executive Committee Member, Bangladesh Association of Plant Taxonomists (2003 – Date). 22. Reporteur, Agri-Invest 2003, Bangladesh Agriculture Research Council (2003). 23. Biologist, Ecological Baseline Studies in ‘Jamalpur Project Refinement Study’ funded by Commission of European Communities (1996). 24. Biologist, National Minor Irrigation Development Project’ funded by Commission of European Communities (1995).