Dr. Ovinu Kibria Islam

Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology

Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Bangladesh

Dr. Ovinu Kibria Islam is an academic, researcher, educator, and university administrator serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology at Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST), Bangladesh. His academic and research career has been centered on microbiology, molecular biology, microbial genomics, antimicrobial resistance, and the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial persistence and infection. He is particularly interested in translating microbiological and genomic research into knowledge that can contribute to improved infection control, antimicrobial resistance management, public health, and biomedical science.

Dr. Islam completed his PhD in Microbiology in 2021 through the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, and Rhine-Waal University, Germany. His doctoral research investigated the molecular basis of biofilm formation in clinical isolates, providing insights into the mechanisms through which bacterial biofilms contribute to antimicrobial resistance and persistence. Prior to his doctoral studies, he obtained an M.S. in Microbiology in 2010 and a B.Sc. (Honours) in Microbiology in 2009, both from the University of Dhaka, where he achieved First Class in both degrees. His master's research focused on the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of bacteria in hospital wastewater, while his undergraduate research involved culture sensitivity testing of clinical isolates including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella.

Academic and Teaching Career

Dr. Islam joined Jashore University of Science and Technology as a Lecturer in Microbiology in July 2011. He served as a Lecturer until July 2014 before being appointed Assistant Professor, a position he held from July 2014 to April 2022. Since April 2022, he has been serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology. Throughout his academic career, he has been involved in teaching microbiology and supervising student research, with increasing emphasis on molecular microbiology, microbial genomics, pathogenesis, and bioinformatics.

His teaching portfolio includes general microbiology and cell biology, microbial genetics, molecular biology, microbial metabolism and pathogenesis, and bioinformatics applications in microbiology. He has supervised two PhD and more than 20 M.S. theses, in addition to guiding undergraduate research projects that have contributed to publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Research and Scientific Interests

Dr. Islam's research encompasses several interconnected areas of microbiology. His work on biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance focuses particularly on multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli. His research has examined how biofilm formation contributes to bacterial persistence, antimicrobial resistance, and infection, as well as the relationship between biofilm phenotypes and genomic characteristics. He has also investigated the transmission of biofilm-associated antimicrobial resistance in environmental and healthcare settings.

Another major area of his research is microbiome and host–microbe interactions. His research has included investigation of the microbiome of COVID-19 patients with Type 2 diabetes, with particular attention to microbial interactions and secondary bacterial infections. He has also studied bovine mastitis microbiomes and the potential implications of antimicrobial resistance transmission for livestock health.

Dr. Islam has also contributed to SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance and molecular epidemiology. His research has involved tracking viral variants and mutations, developing molecular approaches for detecting SARS-CoV-2 clades, and investigating the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 variants and coinfections, including dengue.

His broader research interests include probiotic research and clinical applications, clinical microbiology, infection control, environmental health, and public safety. His probiotic research has explored Pediococcus acidilactici and its potential role in biofilm inhibition and therapeutic applications. His clinical microbiology research has examined device-associated biofilms and healthcare-associated infections, while other work has investigated antimicrobial resistance transmission through healthcare workers' mobile phones and through food-production and agricultural environments.

Research Leadership and Grants

Dr. Islam has been involved in a range of funded research projects addressing antimicrobial resistance, bacterial genomics, biofilm biology, environmental microbiology, and sustainable agriculture. His recent projects include research on carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in healthcare environments of Bangladesh, the molecular epidemiology and resistance mechanisms of A. baumannii, and the molecular mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm phenotypes using transcriptional and metabolomic profiling.

His funded research has also addressed antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in integrated poultry and fish farming systems, antibiotic-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, and plant-growth-promoting bacteria with potential applications in sustainable biofertilizer development in Bangladesh.

Publications and Scientific Contributions

Dr. Islam has contributed to a substantial body of peer-reviewed research in microbiology, genomics, antimicrobial resistance, infectious diseases, and environmental health. His recent publications include studies on the genomic characterization of epidemic Acinetobacter baumannii in hospital environments, environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa, microbial diversity and antimicrobial resistance in integrated chicken and fish farming systems, and the transmission of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes through mobile genetic elements.

His research has also contributed to the understanding of SARS-CoV-2 genomic variation, viral evolution, coinfections, and molecular surveillance, alongside studies of multidrug-resistant bacteria and microbiome-associated infections. His publications have appeared in journals including Scientific Reports, PLOS ONE, Environmental Microbiology Reports, Journal of Medical Virology, Frontiers in Microbiology, MethodsX, Health Science Reports, and Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science.

University Leadership and Administrative Responsibilities

Alongside his academic and research responsibilities, Dr. Islam has undertaken a number of leadership and administrative roles at Jashore University of Science and Technology.

Since August 2026, he has been serving as Director (Additional Duty), Office of Physical Education, where he oversees the planning, coordination, and administration of physical education and sports-related activities. His responsibilities include promoting students' physical fitness, sports participation, teamwork, discipline, and overall well-being through structured programs and activities.

Since July 2025, he has also served as Deputy Director (Additional Duty), Center for Training and Skill Development (CTSD). In this role, he contributes to courses and initiatives designed to develop students' fundamental human, linguistic, technical, and practical skills, supporting personality development, career advancement, and workplace preparedness.

Previously, Dr. Islam served as Director (Additional Duty), Student Counselling and Guidance at JUST from March to August 2024, where he oversaw student counseling services related to academic success, well-being, and career guidance. He also served as Chairman (Additional Duty), Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, from October 2022 to October 2023, contributing to the department's academic and administrative development.

Recognition and Professional Engagement

Dr. Islam received a DAAD Scholarship during 2014–2015 to support advanced PhD research in Germany and received the Dean's Award for outstanding academic performance during his B.Sc. (Honours) studies at the University of Dhaka.

He remains actively engaged in scientific conferences and professional activities. His recent conference contributions have addressed bacterial biodegradation of PET, antimicrobial resistance and biofilm dynamics in Acinetobacter baumannii, genomic diversity and biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the transmission of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in integrated farming systems.

Beyond research and teaching, Dr. Islam contributes to scientific communication and academic activities. He has served as an editorial contributor to conference proceedings, communicates science through articles in children's magazines and Bangladeshi newspapers, and has contributed to science publications.

Vision and Academic Mission

Dr. Islam's academic mission is to advance microbiological and biomedical sciences through innovative research in molecular microbiology, microbial genomics, biofilm biology, and antimicrobial resistance while fostering academic excellence and mentoring future scientists. His work brings together laboratory-based microbiology, genomic approaches, clinical and environmental perspectives, and student-centered academic mentorship.

Through his combined roles as researcher, teacher, mentor, science communicator, and university administrator, Dr. Islam is committed to contributing to scientific knowledge, strengthening research capacity, supporting student development, and addressing emerging challenges in antimicrobial resistance and infectious disease in Bangladesh and beyond.