Nazmul was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, he graduated and trained as a medical doctor before pursuing a career in Clinical Research which he found fascinating. He moved to the UK 15 years ago, completed his postgraduation and continued working in the field of Clinical Research. Nazmul has worked for the NHS, NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) and various Pharmaceutical Companies. He is currently working as a Clinical Research Consultant for Lei Pharma providing support for new drug discovery. Nazmul is married to Parvin Akhter and they have two daughters Raida Ahsan (12 years) and Raina Ahsan (8 years).
Questions:
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I have my roots in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh – where I was born, grew up and where my parents once lived. So, Dhaka will always be in my heart. For last 15 years, I have been living in Leicester – where my daughters were born, I have my own house and made lots of friends and connections. Leicester is now my home city and I feel most at home here.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
I work in clinical research, every second matters and there’s a constant rush for finding new treatments for the patients. We continued our work during the COVID19 lockdowns in 2020-21 and had to travel despite all restrictions. I was involved in the clinical research of a ground-breaking treatment for Alzheimer’s disease – which gave hope to millions of patients worldwide.
3) What inspires you?
I get inspired thinking about how my work is making a difference in the lives of the patients. The harder and faster we work, the earlier there will be a treatment for the patients.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
I had to balance between my family life and work. I chose to be homebased in 2014, when my younger daughter was born with some health needs, with regular travel to the clinical research hospital sites. This arrangement has given me more family time and flexibility at the expense of opportunities for career progression. Many of our jobs are office based - in and around greater London or M25 belt.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
One of my former line managers – who highlighted all my strengths and helped me to overcome the discrimination I had experienced earlier.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Working in clinical research is very rewarding. One successful drug discovery can bring smiles to the faces of millions of patients.
7) And the worst?
There may be unexpected challenges, drug reactions or lack of desired effect – leading to the discontinuation of a project which has been running for a few years.
8) What are your long term goals?
I hope to use my expertise to support the development of clinical research infrastructure in Bangladesh. The more clinical research they conduct locally, the more they will understand the health needs of the local people.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would spend more money on education – starting from primary schools to the universities. The British education system was one of the best in the world – which is now lagging far behind many other countries.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Alexander Fleming – who discovered penicillin.
I’d like to give him the formulae of all newer medicines so that he could take his research 100 years forward and save the world from COVID19.
