I am Nusaira Beenta Shahab from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. I completed my undergraduate degree on Pharmacy from North South University, Bangladesh. During my final year thesis, I have investigated the hepatoprotective effect of a local medicinal plant Aphanamixis Polystachya (pitraj) on liver fibrosis induced rat model. After completing my Bachelor’s, I moved to England to study Drug Toxicology and Safety Pharmacology from the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford, for my MSc. In my MSc thesis, I worked to detect the presence of tumor associated proteins in tissue microarrays constructed from advanced staged colorectal cancer tissues.

Eventually, I realized the importance of a core battery of toxicology studies and found this field very appealing to study for on a Ph.D. program. The interdisciplinary program in Human Toxicology at the University of Iowa matches my interest excellently. My research interest lies in toxicology and cancer biology. I believe a Ph.D. in Human Toxicology at the University of Iowa would prepare me well for future endeavors.

I love to travel and explore new cities using a printed paper map as a guide. When at home, I love to solve a jigsaw puzzle or watch documentaries of ancient civilization.