Research Skills

  1. Microbiological Techniques

Proficient in a range of microbiological techniques, including Gram staining, catalase and oxidase testing, motility assessment, API profiling, virulence assays, toxicity testing (in vitro and in vivo models), and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.

  1. Molecular Biology

Skilled in DNA extraction, PCRs amplification, sequencing, BLAST analysis, phylogenetic analysis, and metagenomic approaches and experience with all immunological techniques (e.g., SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA)

  1. Delphi Method

Expertise in utilizing the Delphi method for gathering expert opinions and consensus on critical research topics.

  1. Market Research & Analysis

Experience with Best-Worst Scaling (BWS) for identifying and analysing consumer preferences in market research.

Research Experience

  • Five years’ research experience applying a multi-method approach to assess the microbial safety of commercial probiotic products, encompassing microbiological culturing, molecular and genetic characterisation, antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiling, and bioinformatic analysis of sequencing data.
  • Engaged in projects on fish reproductive physiology, feed innovation, and aquaculture systems. Roles included Research Associate on sperm quality in Barbonymus gonionotus (2014–2016), Co-Investigator on seaweed feed supplements and integrated cage culture (2017–2019), and Principal Investigator on a Ministry of Science and Technology project improving Silver barb growth and reproduction (2018–2019).

International Conferences Presentation

  1. Rashid, I., Albalat, A., & Desbois, A. P. (2024). Screening aquaculture probiotics for safety risks by a metagenomics approach. Proceedings of the 5th European Association of Fish Pathologists UK & Ireland Branch Meeting. Edinburgh, UK, November 20-21, 2024.
  2. Rashid, I., Albalat, A., & Desbois, A. P. (2023). Characterisation of bacteria in commercial probiotics used for aquaculture in Bangladesh to assess concerns over safety. Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Diseases of Fish and Shellfish, 197. Aberdeen, UK, September 11-14, 2023, https://www.delegate-reg.co.uk/eafp2023/programme.
  3. Rashid, I., Albalat, A., & Desbois, A. P. (2022). Characterisation of bacteria in commercial probiotics used for aquaculture in Bangladesh to assess concerns over safety. Proceedings of the 4th European Association of Fish Pathologists UK & Ireland Branch Meeting. Weymouth, UK, September 14-15, 2022.

Internation Workshop Attended

  1. International Workshop on Land-Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction, Greenhouse Gases and Coastal Processes, held at Kolkata, India.
  2. International Workshop on Biofloc, Biomimicry & Biological Farming for Innovative Aquaculture Entrepreneurship, AIT, Thailand.