Marjana Akter

Profile

Marjana Akter is a Bangladeshi scientist trained in biochemistry, molecular biology, and microbiology, whose work spans infectious disease research, poultry virology, agricultural biotechnology, and biosecurity. As a UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellow (2025), an Asian Scientist 100 honouree (2026), and an iGEM competition judge (2026), she represents a rising generation of Bangladeshi women in STEM contributing to global science and science diplomacy.

Education

• MSc, Microbiology & Hygiene

  Bangladesh Agricultural University

• BSc, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology

  Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST)

Publications

• Akter, M., Mia, R., Hasan, S.M.N., Mozumder, A., Jeba, N., Farazi, R., Akter, F., Akter, S., Rahman, M.Z., Saha, S., Islam, T., & Hossain, M.G. (2025). Genomic and pathological insights into the first identified genotype IIIb chicken anemia virus strain in Bangladesh. Microbiology Spectrum. https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.00796-25
• Akter, M., Hasan, S.M.N., Jeba, N., Mozumder, A., Mou, M.J., Araf, Y., Mia, R., Akter, S., Salauddin, M., Rahman, M.Z., Hossain, M.S., Saha, S., Islam, T., & Hossain, M.G. (2025). Complete genome sequence of chicken anemia virus from a field outbreak in Bangladesh. Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01095-24
• Akter, M., Araf, Y., Akter, S., & Hossain, M.G. (2024). Dengue in Bangladesh: A Gendered Perspective on Infection and Fatality Rates amidst Global Epidemiological Trends. Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases. https://doi.org/10.18502/jad.v18i3.18579
• Hasan, S.M.N., Islam, M., Mozumder, A., Ullah, M., Mou, M.J., Akter, M., Jeba, N., Bhuiyan, M., Akter, S., & Hossain, M.G. (2024). Epidemiological and hematological aspects of idiopathic diarrhea in dairy cattle at Sirajganj district of Bangladesh. Journal of Advanced Biotechnology and Experimental Therapeutics. https://doi.org/10.5455/jabet.2024.d22
• Araf, Y., Akter, M., Zhai, J., Zheng, C., & Hossain, M.G. (2024). Emerging health implications of climate change: dengue outbreaks and beyond in Bangladesh. The Lancet Microbe. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00366-X
• Maliha, S.T., Fatemi, R., Akter, M., Zheng, Q., Araf, Y., Tabassum, T., Munif, M.R., Saha, S., Xue, M., Wang, H., Zheng, C., & Hossain, M.G. (2025). Exploring the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV Co-infection: Mutation risks, therapeutic efficacy, and future variant prevention. Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2025.116707
• Hossain, M.G., Pathan, R., Hasan, S.N., Mozumder, A., Mou, M.J., Akter, M., Sikder, C., Reshad, R.A.I., Mia, R., Saha, S., Islam, T., & Akter, S. (2024). Molecular Detection and Genetic Characterization of Avian Leukosis Virus From Field Outbreaks in Bangladesh. Veterinary Medicine and Science. https://doi.org/10.1002/vms3.70044
• Hossain, M.G., Islam, M., Jeba, N., Hasan, S.M.N., Akter, M., Mou, M.J., Paul, S.K., Akter, S., Khan, M.K., Saha, S., Ahmed, M.U., Debnath, C., Sumon, M.A.U., Salauddin, M., & Debnath, C.R. (2024). Complete genome sequence of hepatitis B virus identified from a patient suffering from chronic kidney disease in Bangladesh. Microbiology Resource Announcements. https://doi.org/10.1128/mra.01151-23
• Mou, M.J., Hasan, S.M.N., Mozumder, A., Akter, M., Reshad, R.A.I., Mia, R., Salauddin, M., Rahman, M.S., Alam, M.M., Akter, S., Saha, S., Islam, T., & Hossain, M.G. (2025). Distinct amino acid substitutions in the EEV glycoprotein and DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of lumpy skin disease virus identified in wetland areas of Bangladesh. Research in Veterinary Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105508

Awards & Recognition

• Asian Scientist 100

  Asian Scientist Magazine

  2026

• UNODA Young Women for Biosecurity Fellowship

  United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)

  2025

• iGEM Competition Judge

  iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine)

  2026

• First Genomic Discovery of CAV Genotype IIIb in Bangladesh

  Microbiology Spectrum · ASM · 2025

  2025

Research Interests

• Microbiology & Infectious Disease
• Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
• Poultry Virology & Animal Health
• Agricultural Sciences
• Biosecurity & Biological Risk Reduction
• Science Diplomacy
• Women in STEM
• Youth Science Leadership