Hamida Nooreen Mahmood
Flossmoor,IL
Summary
Molecular biologist with deep experience connecting experiments, imaging, and computational analysis to answer complex biological questions. Work includes qPCR, Western blotting, ELISA, CRISPR editing, fluorescence microscopy, and multi-omics interpretation, supported by publication, teaching, and co-PI leadership across research settings.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Ph.D. Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
Chicago, IL
08.2022 - Current
- Co-authored study in Journal of Cell Biology (2026) demonstrating that phosphatidylserine and plasma-membrane lipids exhibit gradient-tracking dynamics essential for pheromone gradient tracking.
- Presented findings that phosphorylated Gß is a key regulator of gradient sensing (Yeast Genetics Meeting, 2026); now using BioID–SGA approaches to identify and characterize phosphatases that regulate Gß phosphorylation.
- Investigated pheromone gradient sensing and tracking in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), focusing on G-protein and Rho GTPase signaling, cell polarity, and membrane-associated regulation to enhance understanding of cellular responses.
- Designed and executed experiments integrating yeast genetics, plasmid engineering, CRISPR genome modification, protein extraction, Western/dot blotting, and quantitative fluorescence/time-lapse imaging to advance research methodologies.
Research Fellow, Bangladesh Cancer Research Team
University of Dhaka
Dhaka
10.2019 - 07.2022
- Conducted studies on prognostic and predictive cancer biomarkers using multi-omics approaches to advance understanding of cancer mechanisms.
- Predicted and analyzed deleterious nsSNPs in human PALB2 protein, inferring functional impact to contribute to cancer research insights (Bioinformation, 2021).
- Conducted literature reviews for University of Dhaka research projects.
Research Fellow and Co-Principal Investigator
Laboratories of Immunology & Environmental Toxicology and of Neuroscience, University of Dhaka
06.2018 - 06.2020
- Co-led project identifying oxidative-stress biomarkers for coronary artery disease prognosis in Bangladeshi population, enhancing understanding of disease risk factors (2019–2020).
- Contributed to research on pesticide-related neurotoxicity while mentoring master’s thesis students, fostering academic development and research skills (2018–2019).
- Conducted immunology and environmental toxicology experiments in the University of Dhaka labs.
- Managed neuroscience sample preparation, labeling, and storage for research workflows.
- Recorded laboratory observations and maintained research logs with careful accuracy.
Research Associate / Research Fellow, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory
University of Dhaka
Dhaka
02.2016 - 02.2018
- Optimized in planta transformation of BRRI dhan28 rice, overexpressed two alternatively spliced OsNHX1 (Na+/H+ antiporter) transcripts, and assessed salinity tolerance differences between wild-type and transgenic plants.
- Established an in planta transformation method for Panicum hallii, enhancing research capabilities in collaboration with Prof. Thomas E. Juenger’s laboratory at the University of Texas at Austin.
- Analyzed research data with statistical software and manual review
- Conducted literature reviews for University of Dhaka research projects and proposals
Education
Ph.D. - Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
University of Illinois Chicago
05-2028
M.Sc. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Dhaka
Bangladesh01-2017
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Dhaka
Bangladesh01-2015
Skills
- Molecular genetics
- Biochemical assays
- Molecular biology
- Cell signaling pathways
- Microscopy techniques
- Data analysis
- Cell signaling
- CRISPR editing
Personal Information
Title: Ph.D. Candidate, Molecular Cell Biology Biochemistry Genetics Quantitative Imaging
HONORS & AWARDS
Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Winner, Department of Biological Sciences, UIC 2026, Graduate Diversity and Inclusion Mentoring Award, Department of Biological Sciences, UIC 2026, Research Grant, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Bangladesh 2019, Membership Award (top-eight paper), International Society for Biosafety Research 2018, National Science and Technology Fellowship, Government of Bangladesh 2016
TEACHING, MENTORING & LEADERSHIP
Lecturer, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka Mar. 2018–Present
• Taught and mentored 300+ undergraduates in lectures, tutorials, and labs; developed student experiments and research projects.
Teaching Assistant, Department of Biological Sciences, UIC — undergraduate laboratory courses Aug. 2022–Present
Media and Communications Head (elected), Biology Graduate Student Association (BGSA), UIC Feb. 2025–Apr. 2026
Event Coordinator Committee, BGSA, UIC Feb. 2025–Present
• Helped organize a scientific vendor show (7 vendors, 100+ attendees), a departmental seminar (50+), and a CRISPR Lunch & Learn (25).
Assistant General Secretary and former VP, Logistics, Bangladeshi Student Association, UIC Apr. 2024–Present
Mentor, SPEAR Program · Fellowship Evaluation Committee, Graduate Women in Science 2025
Volunteer, American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Hero Care Program
Affiliations
- Genetics Society of America
- Graduate Women in Science
- International Society for Biosafety Research
- Bangladesh Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Volunteer Experience
American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) Hero Care Program, Volunteer
PUBLICATIONS
- Pai, C. Y., Wang, X., Mahmood, H., & Stone, D. E. (2026). Phosphatidylserine is a component of the gradient-tracking machine in mating yeast. Journal of Cell Biology, 225(6), jcb.202504130.
- Nawar, N., Paul, A., Mahmood, H. N., Faisal, M. I., & Hosen, I. (2021). Structure analysis of deleterious nsSNPs in human PALB2 protein for functional inference. Bioinformation.
- Zaman, A., Mahmood, H. N., & Haque, M. E. (2019). Nutritional studies of different cultivars of Dolichos lablab and Phaseolus vulgaris. Bangladesh Journal of Nutrition.
- Hossain, T., Kamruzzaman, M., Choudhury, T. Z., Mahmood, H. N., et al. (2017). Application of subtractive genomics and molecular docking analysis for the identification of novel putative drug targets against Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Poona. BioMed Research International.
- Two book chapters, Nova Science Publishers (2019): stem cells (first author) and autophagy in cancer.
- Phosphorylated Gß is the key role player in yeast gradient sensing. Yeast Genetics Meeting, Genetics Society of America, Pacific Grove, CA (2026).
- Hsa-miR-193a-5p: A potential key player in neurodegeneration. EMBO|EMBL Symposium: Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration, EMBL Heidelberg, Germany (2017).
- Three presentations on OsNHX1 splice variants and rice salinity tolerance at international conferences in Dhaka (2017–2018), including the 6th South Asia Biosafety Conference.
Timeline
Ph.D. Researcher, Department of Biological Sciences
University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
08.2022 - Current
Research Fellow, Bangladesh Cancer Research Team
University of Dhaka
10.2019 - 07.2022
Research Fellow and Co-Principal Investigator
Laboratories of Immunology & Environmental Toxicology and of Neuroscience, University of Dhaka
06.2018 - 06.2020
Research Associate / Research Fellow, Plant Biotechnology Laboratory
University of Dhaka
02.2016 - 02.2018
Ph.D. - Molecular Cell and Developmental Biology
University of Illinois Chicago
M.Sc. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Dhaka
B.Sc. - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Dhaka