Bangladeshi scientist recognised by Lancet

Senjuti Saha

Senjuti Saha, an eminent microbiologist of Bangladesh, has been recognised by renowned science journal Lancet which uploaded her profile to its website. 

This is the first time any Bangladeshi has been featured there this way.

The journal shared the profile of the microbiologist with praise on their website delineating her role in the genome sequencing of the deadly coronavirus pathogen and others like Chikungunya.

Senjuti, director of non-profit Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF), told The Daily Star that when Lancet contacted her for preparing her profile, she thought it was a scam.

"I first thought it was hoax when they were asking for my personal details for the profile. But later it turned out to be true… ," she said, adding, "This is a sign that indicates the world is watching our work."

Lancet laid out how her fight against thyroid cancer made her resolute towards working for equitable health services in Bangladesh where she has immersed herself in research.

Showing example of her determination, Lancet recalled when Senjuti was receiving a grant and a machine in 2018 to set up a sequencing facility.

"I wanted to show the world that you could be anywhere in the world and be able to sequence. You don't have to ship samples out to the US or the UK. You can sequence wherever you are and everybody's capable. We were able to show that using our small sequencing machine in Bangladesh," Lancet mentioned, quoting the microbiologist.

It further mentioned that Senjuti and the genomics team she leads at the CHRF went on to sequence and study viruses that affect Bangladesh's children, including dengue and chikungunya.

In 2020, her group became first in the country to sequence the novel coronavirus.