A S M Rubayet Ul Alam is a 2020 Commonwealth PhD Scholar from Bangladesh studying at the University of Glasgow. His research focuses on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) variants with the aim of predicting and preventing future infectious diseases.
Rubayet presented his research at the CSC’s 65th Anniversary Impact Showcase Reception in November 2024.
Rubayet was previously a lecturer and is now an assistant professor (on leave) at Jashore University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh.
How would you describe your Commonwealth Scholarship experience in three words?
Impactful, supportive, and fostering.
Before starting your scholarship, what did you hope to achieve?
As always, I hoped to work on the top-class research on virus evolution and long-lasting network with fellow researchers in the same field. I also wanted to learn communication and leadership skills that is important to deal with next professional career.
How do you see your research making a difference in the world?
My research is showing a way forward in the prediction of virus variant success and how to prevent future outbreaks. This is crucial for pandemic preparedness and will help in controlling the next pandemic.
After my PhD, I plan to work as a postdoctoral researcher to deepen my understanding of the molecular evolution of viruses. This will help me to continue the learning path towards solving the evolutionary mechanisms of viruses and their link to new epidemics and pandemics.
What are your hopes for the future?
Using AI to prepare for the pandemic still needs to go a long way. However, the progress is fast and I’m hoping to contribute to this demanding field in my future work. The implications of AI’s developing potential are intertwining with other areas of biological science, such as cancer biology, antimicrobial resistance.
What is your message to the next generation of Commonwealth Scholars?
When you’re short on time, it’s important to be efficient and use the time you have effectively to ensure you get the best research outcomes. It’s also really important to widen your network as a Scholar – you never know when the connections you make will be able to support you in your work.
The CSC gives lots of opportunities to attend training, workshops, and other activities where you can improve your communication skills. I would particularly highly recommend the Mentoring Programme which connects you with an Commonwealth Alumnus working in a relevant or related fields.
How does it feel to be part of a global community of over 31,000 Commonwealth Scholars?
I always feel warmly welcomed in this huge community of Commonwealth Scholars, and it has been an honour to present my work at the 65th anniversary celebrations. Meeting Scholars from different fields will help future collaborations and the interdisciplinary nature of the community empowers new thinking and opportunity.
