Dr. Md. Nurealam Siddiqui                                                                                                                      Associate Professor                                                                                                                                Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology                                                                              Faculty of Agriculture                                                                                                                                        Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU)                                                                                                              Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh                                                                                                                                  Email: nuralambmb@gau.edu.bd

SHORT BIOGRAPHY

Md Nurealam Siddiqui, PhD, is a molecular plant physiologist with more than 14 years of experience in research, teaching, mentoring, and academic leadership. He is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh. He earned his PhD in Crop Molecular Genetics from the University of Bonn, Germany, and conducted postdoctoral research at INRAE, France, and the University of Missouri, USA.

Dr. Siddiqui’s interdisciplinary research integrates plant genomics, quantitative genetics, molecular breeding, high-throughput phenotyping, transcriptomic, metabolomic, and stress physiology to understand and improve crop adaptation. His research has contributed to the identification of genetic loci, candidate genes, and physiological mechanisms underlying root development, abiotic stress tolerance, nutrient-use efficiency, and yield improvement in wheat, barley, maize, rice, soybean, and other economically important crops. He has published more than 70 peer-reviewed articles, with over 4,500 citations and an h-index of 28. His scientific contributions have been recognized through several competitive awards, including the Gold Medal Award from the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS) in 2023. In recognition of his outstanding research contributions, he was elected as an Associate Fellow of the BAS in 2023.

Beyond research, Dr. Siddiqui is passionate about student-centered education, mentoring next generation of scientists, and fostering international collaboration. His long-term goal is to harness plant genomics, molecular breeding, biotechnology, and emerging computational approaches to develop resilient crops and contribute to global food security.

RESEARCH EXPERTISE

  • Plant biochemistry
  • Abiotic stress physiology
  • Quantitative genetics
  • Molecular breeding
  • Plant molecular nutrition
  • Root system architecture
  • High-throughput phenotyping
  • Computational biology
  • Bioinformatics
  • Crop functional genomics.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCES

Postdoctoral Fellow | University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
2026 – 2027
Project: Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Root Growth Acclimation to Water Deficits in Maize

Postdoctoral Researcher | University of Montpellier, INRAE, France
2024 – 2025
Project: Harnessing Natural Genetic Diversity to Identify the Bases of Beneficial Crop to Fight Climate Change

Research Assistant | University of Bonn, Germany
2018 – 2022
Project: Breeding Innovations in Wheat for Resilient Cropping Systems (BRIWECS)

Principal Investigator | Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh
2013 – Present
Research Area: Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Aspects of Plants Exposed to Abiotic Stress

Visiting Fellow | Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), Japan
2011 – 2011
Program: Invitation Program for Science and Technological Human Resources under the Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths 

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

2022–Present | Associate Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh

2015–2022 | Assistant Professor
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh

2013–2015 | Lecturer
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Gazipur Agricultural University, Bangladesh

2012–2013 | Lecturer
Department of Biochemistry, SFMFC, Jamalpur, affiliated with Bangladesh Agricultural University

EDUCATION

2026| Postdoc
Division of Plant Science and Technology
University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

2025 | Postdoc
French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment (INRAE), France

2022 | Ph.D. in Crop Molecular Genetics
University of Bonn, Germany

2012 | M.S. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Bangladesh

2010 | B.Sc. in Agriculture
Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU), Bangladesh

FELLOWSHIPS AND AWARDS

2026 — Postdoctoral Research Fellowship
Postdoctoral Researcher, Division of Plant Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.

2024 — Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) Visiting Fellowship
French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, France.

2024 — Young Scientist Award
International Plant Phenotyping Network (IPPN), to attend the 12th International Symposium of the International Society of Root Research (ISRR), Leipzig, Germany.

2023 — Associate Fellow
Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), elected in recognition of scientific contributions.

2023 — Gold Medal Award in Biological Sciences (Junior Group)
Bangladesh Academy of Sciences (BAS), for outstanding research accomplishments among young Bangladeshi scientists.

2023 — Next Generation Scientist Award
New Phytologist Foundation and National University of Singapore.

2022 — BSMRAU-TA Research Impact Award
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Teachers Association, for excellent research impact.

2021 — BSMRAU-TA Research Award
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University Teachers Association, for outstanding research accomplishment.

2021 — DAAD Outstanding Involvement Award
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), recognizing outstanding involvement among international students at German universities.

2018— DAAD Fellowship
German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), PhD Candidate, INRES–Plant Breeding, University of Bonn, Germany.

2011 — JENESYS Visiting Fellowship
Japan International Cooperation Centre, under the Invitation Program for Science and Technological Human Resources.

2011 — NSICT Fellowship
Ministry of National Science and Information & Communication Technology, Government of Bangladesh.

2010 — Dean’s Award
Faculty of Agriculture, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh, for outstanding undergraduate academic achievement.

EDITORIAL SERVICE

Associate Editor:

  • Plant Molecular Biology Reporter
  • Discover Agriculture
  • Plant Science Today
  • Frontiers in Plant Science (Guest Editor)
  • Agriculture (Guest Editor)

Reviewer:

  • Protoplasma
  • Functional Plant Biology
  • Plant Breeding
  • PLOS ONE
  • Plant Methods
  • Plant Directs
  • Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
  • Ecological Genetics and Genomics
  • Environmental and Experimental Botany

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Total Citations:>4500 , H-index: 28. Full list of publications, please visit: google scholar

  1. Kayess, M. O., Siddiqui*, M. N., Halder, T., Tahjib-Ul-Arif, M., et al. (2026). Harnessing plant–microbe interactions for sustainable crop improvement from genomics to breeding, Symbiosis, 98, 107-131.
  2. Gupta, R., Alam, M. S., Prodhan, S. H., Siddiqui, M. N. (2026). Ambient ozone pollution degrades rice grain nutritional quality and straw feed value under field conditions in Bangladesh. Environmental Pollution, 398, 127998.
  3. Siddiqui, M. N., Ambaw, A. M., Shrestha, A., Pandey, K., Teferi, T. J., Gabi, M. T., Duarte-Delgado, D., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2025). Natural genetic variation in nodal root growth angle and anatomy underlies drought tolerance in bread wheat. Environmental and Experimental Botany, 237, 106220.
  4. Kamruzzaman, M., Siddiqui, M. N., Rustamova, S., et al. (2025). Genome-wide association analyses identify hydrogen peroxide-responsive loci in wheat diversity. Plant Direct, 9(4), e70067.
  5. Sadeqi, M. B., Ballvora, A., Dadshani, S., Siddiqui, M. N., et al. (2025). The significant effects of threshold selection for advancing nitrogen use efficiency in whole genome of bread wheat. Plant Direct, 9(1), e70036.
  6. Misu, I. J., Kayess, M. O., Siddiqui, M. N., Gupta, D. R., et al. (2025). Microbiome engineering for sustainable rice production: Strategies for biofertilization, stress tolerance, and climate resilience. Microorganisms, 13, 233.
  7. Kayess, M. O., Siddiqui, M. N., Gupta, D. R., Uddin, M. J., & Islam, T. (2025). Speed breeding enhances crop resilience and productivity in a changing climate. Molecular Breeding, 45, 80.
  8. Halder, T., Bhoite, R., Islam, S., Yan, G., Siddiqui, M. N., Kayess, M. O., & Siddique, K. H. M. (2025). Proteomics in allopolyploid crops: Stress resilience, challenges and prospects. Proteomes, 13(4), 60.
  9. Siddiqui, M. N., Jahiu, M., Kamruzzaman, M., Sanchez-Garcia, M., Mason, A. S., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2024). Genetic control of root architectural traits under drought stress in spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The Plant Genome, 17(2), e20463.
  10. Ghosh, P. K., Rahman, M. M., Saha, A. K., Ashrafuzzaman, M., Tofazzal Islam, M., & Siddiqui*, M. N. (2024). Mechanistic insight into the physiological and biochemical traits improvement by mycorrhiza biofertilization in soybean under phosphorus-starved conditions. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation.
  11. Fatema, K., Mahmud, N. U., Gupta, D. R., Siddiqui, M. N., Sakif, T. I., Sarker, A., Sharpe, A. G., & Islam, T. (2024). Enhancing rice growth and yield with weed endophytic bacteria Alcaligenes faecalis and Metabacillus indicus under reduced chemical fertilization. PLOS ONE, 19(5), e0296547.
  12. Kayess, M. O., Ashrafuzzaman, M., Khan, M. A. R., & Siddiqui, M. N. (2024). Functional phenomics and genomics: Unravelling heat stress responses in wheat. Plant Stress, 14, 100601.
  13. Azim, R., Ghosh, U. K., Hossain, M. S., Siddiqui*, M. N. (2024). Enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in cereal crops: From agronomy to genomic perspectives. Cereal Research Communications.
  14. Siddiqui, M. N., Pandey, K., Bhadhury, S. K., Sadeqi, B., Schneider, M., Stich, B., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2023). Convergently selected NPF2.12 coordinates root growth and nitrogen use efficiency in wheat and barley. New Phytologist, 238, 2175–2193.
  15. Siddiqui, M. N., Gabi, M. T., Kamruzzaman, M., et al. (2023). Genetic dissection of root architectural plasticity and identification of candidate loci in response to drought stress in bread wheat. BMC Genomic Data, 24, 38.
  16. Koua, A. P., Siddiqui, M. N., Heß, K., Klag, N., Duarte-Delgado, D., Oyiga, B. C., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2023). Genome-wide dissection and haplotype analysis identified candidate loci for nitrogen use efficiency under drought conditions in winter wheat. The Plant Genome, 17(1), e20394.
  17. Kamruzzaman, M., Shrestha, A., Siddiqui, M. N., Oyiga, B. C., Ballvora, A., Léon, J., & Naz, A. A. (2023). Genetic mapping of candidate loci for water-deficit stress-induced proline accumulation in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum). Plant Breeding.
  18. Doumbia, I. Z., Siddiqui, M. N., Diallo, M., Dembélé, S., Dolo, A., & Mulaudzi, T. (2023). Performance of Malian cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) genotypes to drought stress under field conditions. Journal of Agricultural and Crop Research, 10(8), 154–166.
  19. Siddiqui, M. N., Schneider, M., Barbosa, M., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2022). Natural selection under conventional and organic cropping systems affect root architecture in spring barley. Scientific Reports, 12, 20095.
  20. Kamruzzaman, M., Beyene, M. A., Siddiqui, M. N., Ballvora, A., Léon, J., & Naz, A. A. (2022). Pinpointing genomic loci for drought-induced proline and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in bread wheat under field conditions. BMC Plant Biology, 22, 584.
  21. Mohamed, M., Siddiqui, M. N., Oyiga, B. C., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2022). Validation of a QTL on chromosome 1DS showing a major effect on salt tolerance in winter wheat. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(22), 13745.
  22. Akter, M., Mahmud, A., Akter, M., Siddiqui, M. N., & Khan, M. A. R. (2022). Dissecting the salt tolerance potential of cowpea genotypes based on morpho-physiology and yield-related attributes. Annals of Applied Biology, 180(3), 428–437.
  23. Ali, M. A., Kamal, M. M., Rahman, M. H., Siddiqui, M. N., Haque, M. A., Saha, K. K., & Rahman, M. A. (2022). Functional dairy products as a source of bioactive peptides and probiotics: Current trends and future prospectives. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 59(4), 1263–1279.
  24. Ghosh, U. K., Islam, M. N., Siddiqui, M. N., Cao, X., & Khan, M. A. R. (2022). Proline, a multifaceted signalling molecule in plant responses to abiotic stress: Understanding the physiological mechanisms. Plant Biology, 24(2), 227–239.
  25. Siddiqui, M. N., Tesfaye, J. T., Abebaw, A. M., Gabi, M. T., Koua, P., Léon, J., & Ballvora, A. (2021). New drought-adaptive loci underlying candidate genes on wheat chromosome 4B with improved photosynthesis and yield responses. Physiologia Plantarum, 173(4), 2166–2180.
  26. Siddiqui, M. N., Léon, J., Naz, A. A., & Ballvora, A. (2021). Genetics and genomics of root system variation in adaptation to drought stress in cereal crops. Journal of Experimental Botany, 72(4), 1007–1019.
  27. Siddiqui, M. N., Mostofa, M. G., Rahman, M. M., Tahjib-Ul-Arif, M., Das, A. K., Mohi-Ud-Din, M., & Tran, L. S. P. (2021). Glutathione improves rice tolerance to submergence: Insights into its physiological and biochemical mechanisms. Journal of Biotechnology, 325, 109–118.
  28. Rahman, M., Mostofa, M. G., Keya, S. S., Siddiqui, M. N., Ansary, M., Uddin, M., & Tran, L. S. P. (2021). Adaptive mechanisms of halophytes and their potential in improving salinity tolerance in plants. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(19), 10733.
  29. Rana, R. A., Siddiqui, M. N., Skalicky, M., Brestic, M., Hossain, A., Kayesh, E., Popov, M., Hejnák, V., Gupta, D. R., Mahmud, N. U., & Islam, T. (2021). Prospects of nanotechnology in improving the productivity and quality of horticultural crops. Horticulturae, 7(10), 332.
  30. Mohi-Ud-Din, M., Siddiqui, M. N., Rohman, M., Jagadish, S. K., Ahmed, J. U., Hassan, M. M., et al. (2021). Physiological and biochemical dissection reveals a trade-off between antioxidant capacity and heat tolerance in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Antioxidants, 10(3), 351.
  31. Ghosh, U. K., Islam, M. N., Siddiqui, M. N., Khan, A. R., & Khan, M. A. R. (2021). Understanding the roles of osmolytes for acclimatizing plants to changing environment: A review of potential mechanism. Plant Signaling & Behavior, 16(8), 1913306.
  32. Ghosh, U. K., Islam, M. N., Siddiqui, M. N., Cao, X., & Khan, M. A. R. (2021). Proline, a multifaceted signalling molecule in plant responses to abiotic stress: Understanding the physiological mechanisms. Plant Biology, 24(2), 227–239.
  33. Mostofa, M. G., Rahman, M. M., Siddiqui, M. N., Fujita, M., & Tran, L. S. P. (2020). Salicylic acid antagonizes selenium phytotoxicity in rice: Selenium homeostasis, oxidative stress metabolism and methylglyoxal detoxification. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 394, 122572.
  34. Islam, M. T., Talukder, A. K., Siddiqui, M. N., & Islam, T. (2020). Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic: The Bangladesh perspective. Journal of Public Health Research, 9(4), 1794.
  35. Siddiqui, M. N., Léon, J., Naz, A. A., & Ballvora, A. (2020/2021). Genetics and genomics of root system variation in adaptation to drought stress in cereal crops. Journal of Experimental Botany, 72(4), 1007–1019.
  36. Tahjib-Ul-Arif, M., Siddiqui, M. N., Sohag, A. A. M., Sakil, M. A., Rahman, M. M., Polash, M. A. S., & Tran, L. S. P. (2018). Salicylic acid-mediated enhancement of photosynthesis attributes and antioxidant capacity contributes to yield improvement of maize plants under salt stress. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 37(4), 1318–1330.
  37. Tahjib-Ul-Arif, M., Sayed, M. A., Islam, M. M., Siddiqui, M. N., Begum, S. N., & Hossain, M. A. (2018). Screening of rice landraces (Oryza sativa L.) for seedling stage salinity tolerance using morpho-physiological and molecular markers. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum, 40, 1–12.
  38. Mostofa, M. G., Ghosh, A., Li, Z.-G., Siddiqui, M. N., Fujita, M., & Tran, L. S. P. (2018). Methylglyoxal – a signaling molecule in plant abiotic stress responses. Free Radical Biology and Medicine, 122, 96–109.
  39. Tusher, T. R., Akter, S., Ashraf, Z., Kabir, M. H., & Siddiqui, M. N. (2018). Phytomonitoring of brick kiln induced air pollution at Konabari of Bangladesh. Malaysian Journal of Science, 37, 50–69.
  40. Siddiqui, M. N., Mostofa, M. G., Akter, M. M., Srivastava, A. K., Sayed, M. A., Hasan, M. S., & Tran, L. S. P. (2017). Impact of salt-induced toxicity on growth and yield-potential of local wheat cultivars: Oxidative stress and ion toxicity are among the major determinants of salt-tolerant capacity. Chemosphere, 187, 385–394.
  41. Mostofa, M. G., Hossain, M. A., Siddiqui, M. N., Fujita, M., & Tran, L. S. P. (2017). Phenotypical, physiological and biochemical analyses provide insight into selenium-induced phytotoxicity in rice plants. Chemosphere, 178, 212–223.
  42. Akram, S., Siddiqui, M. N., Hussain, B. N., Al Bari, M. A., Mostofa, M. G., Hossain, M. A., & Tran, L. S. P. (2017). Exogenous glutathione modulates salinity tolerance of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) at reproductive stage. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation, 36(4), 877–888.
  43. Sayed, M. A., Imam, R., Siddiqui, M. N., Raihanun-Nabi, S. M., Aktar, S., & Das, S. R. (2016). Allelopathic activity of Leonurus siribicus L. on seed germination and seedling growth of wheat and identification of 4-hydroxy benzoic acid as an allelochemical by chromatography. Pakistan Journal of Botany, 48(3), 1189–1195.
  44. Hasan, A., Hafiz, H. R., Siddiqui, M. N., Khatun, M., Islam, R., & Mamun, A. A. (2015). Evaluation of wheat genotypes for salt tolerance based on some physiological traits. Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology, 18(5), 333–340.
  45. Sayed, M. A., Islam, M. T., Haque, M. M., Shah, M. J. H., Ahmed, R., Siddiqui, M. N., & Hossain, M. A. (2015). Dietary effect of chitosan and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) on performance and serum lipid profile in broiler chicks. South African Journal of Animal Science, 45(4), 429–440.
  46. Siddiqui, M. N. & Sayed, M. A. (2015). Effects of dietary black seed (Nigella sativa L.) extract supplemented diet on growth performance, serum metabolites and carcass traits of commercial broiler. Journal of Animal Science Advances, 5(7), 1380–1385.
  47. Roni, M. S., Zakaria, M., Hossain, M. M., & Siddiqui, M. N. (2014). Effect of plant spacing and nitrogen levels on nutritional quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.). Bangladesh Journal of Agricultural Research, 49(3), 491–504.
  48. Islam, M. R., Siddiqui, M. N., Bostami, A. B. M. R., Rahman, M. Z., Khatun, A., & Selim, A. S. (2014). Dietary effect of mulberry leaf (Morus alba) meal on the growth performance and serum cholesterol content of broiler. SAARC Journal of Agriculture, 12(2), 79–89.
  49. Roy, T. K., Hafiz, M. H. R., Islam, M. R., Hasan, M. A., & Siddiqui, M. N. (2013). Late planting heat stress on ear growth physiology of wheat. International Journal of Biosciences, 3(11), 8–19.
  50. Khatun, M., Hafiz, M. H. R., Hasan, M. A., Hakim, M. A., & Siddiqui, M. N. (2013). Response of wheat genotypes to salt stress in relation to germination and seedling growth. International Journal of Bio-resource and Stress Management, 4(4), 635–640.