Samina Huque
Project Manager
As a public health professional with many years of experience, Samina has expertise in health research. Since October 2015, she has been working as a qualitative researcher at the ARK Foundation. With an array of expertise, Samina has successfully completed multiple projects including a variety of research techniques, such as mixed method research, feasibility studies and randomized control trials. Her experience spans multiple fields, with a focus on communicable diseases ,non-communicable diseases, mental health, urban health, behavioral change intervention, tobacco control, and antibiotic resistance. She has attended numerous training sessions both in Bangladesh and abroad.
Samina is a focal person of “Safeguarding” in CHORUS and COSTAR project from Bangladesh team. Recently she got an award under RESPIRE funding Professor Su May Liew Award for meaningful Community Engagement and Involvement in healthcare research project titled “Patient Public Involvement (PPI) Forums to shape tobacco cessation and tuberculosis (TB) recovery practices.” She earned her Bachelor’s in Geography and Environment from University of Dhaka and Masters in Public Health at Northern University. She is looking forward to contribute more in Public Health Research.
Fahmidur Rahman
Senior Research Associate
Fahmidur Rahman is currently working as a Senior Research Associate at ARK Foundation. He is the designated Trial Coordinator of QUIT4TB Trial; a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial (cRCT) project funded by the University of Edinburgh, UK. He implemented multiple remote surveys (SurveyCTO CATI) and Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) projects in his career.
His technical expertise includes KoboToolbox, REDCap and SurveyCTO-based digital data collection tools programming, reproducible data management and analysis system development by using R and Stata. He is capable to manage large scale data set includeing data collection, labeling, processing, analyzing, visualizing and storing.
He served different development verticals, corporate houses, renowned universities and government agencies as part of the consulting/research team which includes UNICEF, IOM, USAID, World Bank, Yale University, New York University, University of York, University of Konstanz etc.
Shakhawat Hossain Rana
Junior Research Associate
Post-graduated and graduated from the University of Dhaka, Department of Health Economics, Shakhawat Hossain Rana is a dedicated young researcher working at ARK Foundation since 2022. He has participated in professional training programs in Nepal and Sri Lanka. During his brief career, he has already acquired data and server management skills. Shakhawat has been selected as a Data Champion from ARK Foundation to undergo extended training through a mentorship program designed by RESPIRE. He is strengthening his skills in health economics, health insurance, and health data management.
Fatema Kashfi
Research Associate
Fatema Kashfi is working as a Research Associate at ARK Foundation. Contributing to Bangladesh’s development and public health sectors from the onset of her career, she has published research papers in peer-reviewed journals and got her abstracts selected for international conferences such as the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH). She is currently working on the CHORUS project which is focused on strengthening the urban primary healthcare system in Bangladesh. Before joining ARK, Fatema served as a Research Associate at the Bureau of Economic Research, University of Dhaka, and as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID). She holds a Bachelor’s in Economics and a Master’s in Development Studies with a major in Public Policy, both from the University of Dhaka. She has expertise in qualitative research, data analysis, writing research articles for peer-reviewed journals, and the development of research proposals and project reports. She has been involved in a wide range of research initiatives, covering areas such as physical activity in Bangladesh, Bangladesh’s tobacco taxation system, social cohesion in the Cox’s Bazar refugee crisis region, primary education and children’s foundational learning. Her interests extend to public policy, social equity, gender issues, climate change and sustainability, reflecting her commitment to fostering positive societal change.
Asiful Haidar Chowdhury
Research Fellow
Statistician by training with thesis in Demographic field. Demonstarted and profound experience of working as mixed method Researcher in Public Health Research at different national and international non government organizations for about 22 years. Serving as Research Fellow at ARK Foundation for more than 5 years under different Public Health Research Studies such as IMPACT SMI, IMPASS, Out-of-pocket expenditure study, Quit4TB study, SDOH study, Drug seller AMR study, SSB policy prioritization Research, Tobacco free city. Major area of expertises are: Provide technical support in developing Research protocol, conduct lietrature review, develop data collection tools, selection and training of data collectors, Design data collection tools in different apps for capturing research data electronically, Carryout supervision of quantitative data collection and data management, Prepare data analysis plan and analyze collected data accordingly to generate evidence for the study using statistical softwares, document and interpret research study findings. Carryout qualtiative data collection, supervision of transcript preparation and translation of recording, carryout analysis of qualitative data using content based thematic approach or using NVIVO. Develop intervention materials, arrange training, meeting, workshop with stakeholders, facilitate implementation of intervention, carryout monitoring and supportive supervision. Maintain liaison with Government and Non-Government Stakeholders, Development Partners. Prepare Scientific report, Scientific manuscript, Blog.
Shumia Islam
Research Assistant
Shumia Islam is currently employed as a research assistant at ARK Foundation, where she plays an important role in the COSTAR (Community Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance) project as well as other projects such as the initiative to make Bangladesh railway tobacco free (IMBRTF), scoping review on AMR and the power of learning, and assisting in many other projects. She brings substantial experience in data collection, data entry, literature reviews, and analysis, along with expertise in conducting manuscript preparation. Shumia is committed to playing a key role in producing valuable and influential studies with a strong passion for research.
Dr. Deepa Barua
Senior Research fellow
Currently a Senior Research Fellow at ARK Foundation, Dr. Barua is a skilled researcher with papers published in high-impact factor journals. A medical graduate with post-graduation in Public Health, Deepa, has led several research projects. A mixed methods researcher, Dr. Barua has conducted drug trials, systematic reviews, process evaluations, and implementation studies. Previously, she has been a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of York, UK, a faculty member of a renowned university, and has also been selected for the USAID Fellowship programme in Bangladesh. A consistently ardent learner, Deepa has attended numerous training sessions both in Bangladesh and abroad. Moreover, an experienced orator, she has presented at several national and international conferences.
Her works have often been with marginalized communities such as the third gender, urban slum dwellers, patients with severe mental illnesses, and communicable diseases such as TB, and residents from hard to reach areas. Dr. Barua has worked extensively in collaboration with the MoHFW through DGHS and DGME and the MoLGRD&C through the City Corporation. Furthermore, she has coordinated with development partners such as the WHO, USAID, UNICEF, and several renowned international and national NGOs and academic institutions.
Dr. Barua's field of experience predominantly has been towards strengthening Bangladesh’s overall health system by working on developing interventions prioritizing mental health, and reducing NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. She has also specifically worked towards strengthening the urban primary health care system of Bangladesh through interventions targetted towards improving management and recording of NCDs such as CVD and hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus.
An experienced public health researcher Dr. Barua is dedicated profoundly in contributing towards building an equitable health system during her tenure.
Umme Salma Anee
Senior Research Assistant
Umme Salma Anee has been working at ARK Foundation since February 2022 as a Senior Research Assistant. She holds an engineering degree and a postgraduate degree in public health, having begun her career as a public health researcher. She focuses in quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, mapping, writing research articles and reports. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and her abstracts have been selected for international conferences such as the International Conference on Urban Health (ICUH).
Currently, Anee is engaged in multiple projects under the Community-led Responsive and Effective Urban Health Systems (CHORUS) initiative, which focuses on strengthening urban health systems in areas like non-communicable disease (NCD) care, gender norms, health-seeking behaviors, and promoting physical activity among urban residents. She has worked extensively with vulnerable groups, including the third gender, urban slum dwellers, adolescent girls, NCD patients, urban primary care providers, and students.
Anee was previously awarded the Tobacco Control Policy Research Grant from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, collaborating with the Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP) on research into tobacco industry branding strategies and their impact on young adults. She is set to attend the CHORUS South Asia Innovation Fund Analysis and Writing Workshop in Nepal in 2024 and participated in the CHORUS South Asian Regional Writing Workshop in 2023.
Her collaborations extend to national and international development partners such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) through the NCDC of DGHS, the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives (MoLGRD&C), Dhaka and Khulna City Corporations, the Bangladesh Cricket Board, WHO, NGO partners and various academic institutions. Anee is passionate about strengthening urban health systems, addressing gender norms, promoting physical activity, and contributing to strengthening health system in response to climate change.
Narmiaat An-noor
Research Assistant
Narmiaat An-noor works as a Research Assistant at ARK Foundation, where she has been employed since July 2023. She completed her graduation and post-graduation in Economics from the University of Dhaka. Narmiaat has been involved in several projects, including Power of Learning, LIFT, DiaDem, and Quit4TB. Her expertise includes data digitalization, data management, secondary data extraction, literature review, scoping review, and research paper writing. Narmiaat has also demonstrated her prowess in conducting FGDs and KIIs with sensitive groups, such as mental health patients, school-going children, and TB patients. Driven by her passion, she aspires to carve a successful career in the research sector.
Nabila Binth Jahan
Senior Research assistant
Nabila Binth Jahan is a dedicated qualitative researcher currently working as a Senior Research Assistant at ARK Foundation since September 2022. She is involved in various projects, including the Community-led Responsive and Effective Urban Health Systems (CHORUS) initiative, which focuses on strengthening urban health systems in terms of non-communicable disease (NCD) care in urban areas. She has additionally been involved in Project Crucible, a program focusing on STEAM education to improve the health well-being of urban slum children. She is highly skilled in systematic and scoping reviews, qualitative research methods, data collection, and qualitative data analysis using NVivo. Her expertise extends to writing academic journals and reports, showcasing her ability to communicate complex research findings effectively. Additionally, she has collaborated with ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Cooperatives (MoLGRDC), the Ministry of Primary and Mass Education (MoPME) and Ministry of Education (MoE) for collaborative projects. Before her current role at ARK Foundation, she worked as a Programme Officer at the Bangladesh Labour Foundation (BLF), where she focused on addressing critical issues such as child labor, the RMG sector, and gender-based violence. She holds both a graduate and a postgraduate degree in Development Studies from Khulna University.
The scope of her research encompasses urban health, child health, gender and intersexuality, waste management, and climate change, all with the overarching goal of contributing to a more sustainable world.
Nuzhat Nastareen
Research Assistant
Nuzhat Nastareen has been actively involved in research since completing her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics from the University of Dhaka. She specialises in both quantitative and qualitative research, with a strong focus on handling large datasets and conducting statistical analysis using tools like R, Python, STATA, and SPSS. Additionally, she is also capable of handling qualitative datasets using Nvivo.
Nuzhat has supervised multiple data collection efforts, developing tools in RedCap as well as utilising both digital and traditional methods. She has worked closely with government officials, conducting interviews, managing teams, and presenting findings effectively.
Her analytical abilities and critical thinking skills have been integral to her success in the field, making her a highly skilled researcher with a passion for data-driven insights in policy and development contexts. Nuzhat’s expertise extends to interacting with several government agencies, development partners, local partners, national and international NGOs, and universities, which adds depth to her comprehensive research profile.
She is eager for continuous learning opportunities and is passionate about pursuing a career that allows her to expand her expertise and grow as a researcher. She is committed to enhancing her skills and contributing meaningfully to her field.
Silwa Lina
Research Associate
Dr. Silwa Lina is a public health professional with a decade of experience in health research and programs. She has been contributing at ARK Foundation as a qualitative researcher since July, 2018. Lina has extensive experience in successful implementation of projects encompassing different research methods inclusive of mixed method research, feasibility studies, randomized control trial and systematic review. She has worked across several domains, especially non-communicable diseases, behavioural change intervention, urban health, mental health, tobacco control, communicable disease and antimicrobial resistance. She also has a track record of success in administration and communication sector. Prior to joining ARK, she was a fellow under the “Developing Next Generation of Public Health Experts in Bangladesh” project under the USAID Competitive Fellowship Awards Program, during which she undertook an independent research on ‘Epidemiologic Profile of Oral Cancer’ in tertiary health setting. Dr. Lina earned her Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery under University of Dhaka and Masters in Public Health at North South University. She obtained post-graduation training on Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
Md. Badruddin Saify
Junior Research Associate
Md. Badruddin Saify is a lifelong learner, mixed-method researcher, and avid participant in policy discussions addressing public health concerns. He has extensive experience in coordination and management of a range of health-related research projects, including antimicrobial resistance, tobacco control, health-related quality of life, reviews, public health expenditure, and mental health. Saify has also made contributions to research on mental health interventions, health insurance frameworks, and policy analysis. Additionally, he is interested in the development of research proposals for national and international funding calls. He is currently pursuing a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Economics from the University of York, UK, and has a strong academic foundation in health economics, having earned an MSS and BSS from the University of Dhaka. His contributions to community-based health interventions and policy frameworks in Bangladesh have been evident in his research, which has been published in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters. He prioritizes effective communication, networking, and the empowerment of others in his professional journey.
Nayela Tahseen
Research Assistant
Nayela Tahseen holds the position of Research Assistant at ARK Foundation, honing her strong educational background in Economics. With a combined focus on data management and community engagement, she has been playing a vital role in the project COSTAR since 2023. Her professional competencies encompass data digitization on SPSS, as well as qualitative and quantitative research data extraction and analysis. Over the past year, she has enriched her knowledge through active participation in various research and fieldwork endeavours for other projects including IMBRTF, CHORUS, LIFT, Jononi, ARTS4AMR , EQ-5D-5L Piloting etc.
Tahzir Faiaz Chowdhury
Senior Research Assistant
Tahzir Faiaz Chwodhury holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Anthropology from Jahangirnagar University. With over two years of experience in the public health sector, he has worked with ARK Foundation and icddr,b, contributing to data quality assurance, community engagement, and monitoring and evaluation across diverse areas such as urban primary healthcare, diabetes and depression, antimicrobial resistance, physical activity, and realist evaluation. His research interests focus on the intersection of environmental, human, and non-human health, with a commitment to developing innovative interventions to address these complex challenges.
Tamima Ahmed
Research Assistant
Tamima Ahmed has been working as a full-time research intern at ARK Foundation since April 2024. She completed her graduation and post-graduation in Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies from the University of Dhaka. Tamima worked for the COSTAR project where she excelled in her experience in report writing, transcribing, and database management in SPSS. She had prior experience of internship at the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) where she performed a qualitative study on the SSNP projects of Mirzaganj, Patuakhali. Tamima completed her quantitative thesis research in Menstrual Health and Hygiene surveying adolescent girls from Gangachara and Pirgachha, Rangpur. With the mentorship and support from her co-workers, she believes she can go a long way in public health research.
Abdullah M. Rafi
Research Uptake and Communication Manager
Abdullah Muhammad Rafi attained both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from the University of Dhaka, specializing in Peace and Conflict Studies. Currently, he serves as the Research Uptake and Communication Manager at the ARK Foundation. Passionate about social research and communication, Abdullah is a Swaniti Initiative SPARC fellow with extensive experience working with governmental and international organizations. His undergraduate thesis on the Rohingya Solidarity Organization, an international terror outfit, utilized firsthand sources and applied Howard and Ruef's organization theory to analyze the group’s structure and dynamics.
His expertise spans stakeholder mapping and engagement, research uptake and communications, knowledge management, and evaluation. He specializes in engaging key stakeholders, producing research outputs to influence policy, and developing knowledge products that shape practices at local, national, and global levels. Abdullah is also proficient in designing impact pathways and evaluating research uptake activities with a focus on gender and social equity.
Outside of his professional work, Abdullah is a committed advocate for minority rights, dedicated to fostering inclusivity and equity in society.
Sadat Ahmed
Digital Media Specialist
Sadat Ahmed is working as Digital Media Specialist at ARK Foundation, bringing a wealth of experience from the advertising industry to the research sector. With years of experience in Graphics Design & Video Editing, Sadat Ahmed excels in crafting compelling digital content and strategies that amplify the foundation's mission and research initiatives.
Passionate about photography and creative videography, he loves traveling and vlogging and is always eager to chat about movies, tech, science, and books. Dedicated to his craft, Sadat Ahmed is excited about bringing innovative visual content to life.
Fahmida Farzana
Research Uptake and Communication Officer
Fahmida Farzana is a communications and research professional with a deep-rooted commitment to social justice, development, and advocacy. Holding both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English from the University of Dhaka, Fahmida currently works as the Research Uptake and Communication Officer at ARK Foundation. In this role, they lead content strategy, manage stakeholder engagement, and ensure research findings are effectively communicated to inform policy and practice.
With diverse experience across social media management, market research, and event facilitation, Fahmida has worked with international and national development organizations such as UNV Bangladesh, and CMMS, contributing to impactful education, gender, and humanitarian projects. At Bina Terer Pathshala, an online ed-tech platform, played a critical role in advancing educational opportunities and promoting inclusivity and equitable access to resources. Her work with CMMS in The Bravemen and The Campus Hero projects, further deepened her involvement in gender-focused development initiatives, addressing the intersection of education, empowerment, and gender equity.
As a passionate advocate for human rights and gender justice, Fahmida Farzana has actively engaged in designing knowledge products that shape the discourse around gender-sensitive policies and practices. Their commitment to fostering open dialogue is also evident in their role as a co-host of Common Grounds, a platform for critical debates on sociopolitical issues like freedom of expression, indigenous rights, and feminism.
Driven by a strong interest in research and storytelling, Fahmida seeks to continue exploring the complexities of gender equity in local and global contexts, while contributing to sustainable development and social inclusion.
Sheikh Zaid Ahmed
Field Coordinator
Sheikh Zaid Ahmed has been in the development field since 2000 with a break from 2011 to 2021. During the break period he worked in the marketing sector where his responsibilities were coordinating sales, marketing & projects. He came back in the development field in 2021 & since then has been working with the ARK Foundation.
Md. Mosharof Hossain
Senior Field Officer
Md. Mosharof Hossain has strong team-building leadership and management abilities. He effectively contributes to community members' transformations and empowerment. In order to enhance program quality, he leads regular processes and reflection with community stakeholders from assessment to monitoring stages. He works closely on community dialogues, the TB and tobacco projects, the smoke-free homes project, and other community-based initiatives at the upazila level. He has experience in coordinating and working with GO/NGOs for a long time. He developed his analytical problem-solving abilities and is a skilled facilitator of training sessions, workshops, and meetings. His experience in mobilizing community resources and gathering field data, including both qualitative and quantitative program-related study assessments on program planning, is noteworthy. He is dedicated to support the community level the assistance it needs.
Sajib Saha
Senior Research Assistant
Sajib Saha, a dedicated early career researcher, is currently working as Senior Research Assistant in ARK Foundation, he has active involvement in COSTAR project since his joining with ARK team and his research excellency has been recognized as a Best Poster Presenter in an International Public Health Conference-2024. In COSTAR project, he contributed in training facilitation of the volunteer facilitator, ensured community participation in research process, managed large scale dataset and taking part in scoping review process. Now he has active involvement with the Process Evaluation (PE) study of the COSTAR project. Along with this, he is currently exploring Arts based approach by working another project ARTS4AMR. Without his regular work, he assists different projects when required necessary support, for example IMBRTF, EQ-FD-Y etc. Before joining in ARK team, Sajib had a consulting experience with Oxfam in Bangladesh and training facilitation experience with a local NGO.
Sajib completed his graduation and post graduation program in Sociology from Khulna University. He has built his expertise in participatory research over the years by following Community Engagement (CE) approach, Participatory Video (PV) approach along with Arts based approach. His research interest expands in healthcare, health system, policy and community health promotion, global health, environmental health, gender issues and climate change etc. He actively seeks new research opportunities and open to learn something new. He is committed towards a positive change for the society.
Md. Farid Ahamed, MPH
Program Coordinator
Md. Farid Ahamed, MPH, is a dedicated Public Health professional with over a decade of experience in dynamic and resource-limited healthcare environments. He excels in delivering innovative solutions, building strong partnerships with stakeholders, and implementing sustainable health initiatives. His extensive expertise spans project development and management, emergency preparedness and response, monitoring and evaluation, partnership building, and analytical writing. In addition to his technical skills, he is an experienced manager with a strong background in procurement, operations, project supervision, and team management. He was a fellow at the James P. Grant School of Public Health, funded by USAID.
Farid played a key role in supporting the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) in Cox's Bazar while working with Community Partners International (CPI) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC). At CPI, he led and managed the overall Health System Strengthening (HSS) project implemented at Cox’s Bazar District Sadar Hospital in partnership with the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). At IRC, he held the positions of Dispatch and Referral Unit (DRU) Manager and Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Manager. His work focused on critical areas such as COVID-19 prevention, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), Psychological First Aid (PFA), Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Safeguarding, and responding to natural disasters.
He has also contributed to the Bangladesh Institute of Labor Studies (BILS) and conducted research work. Additionally, he has received specialized training from the USA, UK, Netherlands, and Nepal.
Md. Sadman Sakib
HR Associate
Sadman Sakib is a devoted professional with extensive experience in administration, customer relations, and content creation. He has gained experience as an Assistant Admin Officer at the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, where he learned office administration, logistical assistance, and payroll processing. Sadman also worked as a Branch Manager at Royal Fiber Net, where he oversaw operations and created strategic business plans. His dedication to customer service and efficient communication was further highlighted by his position as a Customer Relationship Officer at Ali2Bd. Sadman graduated from BRAC University with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, concentrating in Human Resource Management and Marketing. He is enthusiastic about contributing to organizational success and thrives in dynamic circumstances that need meticulous attention to detail and proactive issue resolution.
