Fellow

Dr. Sayera Banu

(Fellow, 2022)

Dr Sayera Banu

Senior Scientist and Senior Divisional Director IDD (Acting), icddr,b

Dr Sayera Banu is a distinguished Bangladeshi scientist with over 25 years of expertise in mycobacterial infections, especially tuberculosis (TB). Her career is marked by contributions to epidemiology, diagnostics, and public health strategies.

Dr Banu is a medical doctor with a PhD in Medical Microbiology, earned from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. She completed her master’s in microbiology from University of Tsukuba, Japan and post-graduate training in mycobacteriology from Institut Pasteur, France.  

A pivotal figure in TB research, Dr Banu was instrumental in establishing the TB laboratory at icddr,b, which remains a leading facility in Bangladesh. She introduced advanced molecular techniques for pathogen identification, enhancing diagnostic capabilities that have been adopted both at icddr,b and nationally. Dr Banu has been at the forefront of major TB research innovations, including the first multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) sentinel surveillance in Southeast Asia. Additionally, she led numerous multi-country studies including a study on TB diagnostics and efforts to improve TB case detection through innovative models and policy advocacy. She also spearheaded the development of a social enterprise model for TB diagnosis and management, now integrated into Bangladesh's National Strategic Plan.

Her research has spanned TB diagnostics, transmission, immunology, genomics, and drug-resistant strains. She led projects on TB's intersection with other health conditions, reflecting a comprehensive approach to public health. As a principal investigator, she has secured significant funding from prestigious organizations such as USAID, Stop TB Partnership, and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Centres for Disease Control, etc.

Dr Banu's contributions extend globally. She is a core member of the WHO Public-Private Mix (PPM) Working Group and the GABRIEL Network established by the Mérieux Foundation. She has served on national committees, including the National TB Technical Committee and the Research Committee of the National Tuberculosis Programme (NTP), playing a crucial role in shaping TB policy in Bangladesh.

Throughout her career, Dr Banu has received numerous accolades, including the TWAS Fayzah M Al Kharafi Award (2022) and the BAS Sultan Ahmed Choudhury Science and Technology Gold Medal Award (2019).

Dr Banu’s professional affiliations include being a Fellow of the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) and The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). She is also a member of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM).

A prolific author, Dr Banu has published extensively in high-impact journals, contributing to advancements in TB transmission studies, diagnostic innovations, and public health strategies. Her work on the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the application of artificial intelligence in TB detection, and improving TB diagnostics in high-burden settings has significantly influenced global TB management.

Dr Sayera Banu's career reflects her dedication to scientific excellence, innovation, and public health. Her leadership at icddr,b continues to drive critical advancements in TB control, contributing to better health outcomes in Bangladesh and beyond.

[Updated: 23 October 2024]