Dr. Thamina Acter

Degrees/Certifications:

PhD., Analytical Chemistry, Environment Energy Mass Spectrometry Lab, Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea 

M.Sc., Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

B.Sc., Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Academic Training

1. BSc 2nd Year Industrial Training

   • Location: Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Factory Ltd. and Karnafuly Paper Mills, Chittagong, Bangladesh
   • Provider: University of Dhaka
   • Duration: 3 days

2. BSc 3rd Year Industrial Training

   • Location: Osmania Glass Industries Ltd., Potenga, Chittagong, Bangladesh
   • Provider: University of Dhaka
   • Duration: 1 day

3. BSc 3rd Year Industrial Training

   • Location: Natural Gas Fertilizer Factory Ltd. & Chatak Cement Factory Ltd., Sylhet, Bangladesh
   • Provider: University of Dhaka
   • Duration: 3 days

4. BSc 4th Year In-Plant Training

   • Location: Renata Pharmaceuticals, Mirpur-12, Dhaka, Bangladesh
   • Provider: University of Dhaka
   • Duration: 30 days

5. MSc Industrial Training

   • Location: Training Institute for Chemical Industries (TICI), Narsingdi, Bangladesh
   • Provider: University of Dhaka
   • Duration: 30 days

Professional Development: 

1. Environmental Health and Lab Safety Training

Provider: Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea

Accreditation: Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University

Duration: 1 day (July 2015)

2. High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS)

Provider: Bruker, Korea and Bruker, Germany

Accreditation: Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea

Duration: 7 days (July 2016)

3. MALDI Flex Imaging

Provider: Bruker, Korea and Bruker, Germany

Accreditation: Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea

Duration: 1 day (August 2016)

4. Liquid Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometry

Provider: EEMS Lab Member

Accreditation: Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea

Duration: 3 days (October 2016)

5. Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)

Provider: PerkinElmer, India

Accreditation: Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Duration: 5 days (February 2019)

6. Training on Online Platforms

Provider: East West University Center for Research and Training (EWUCRT)

Accreditation: East West University

Duration: 1 day (19 June 2020, conducted via Google Meet)

7. Advanced Training on Online Teaching-Learning-Assessment (TLA)

Provider: East West University Center for Research and Training (EWUCRT)

Accreditation: East West University

Duration: 2 days (28–29 June 2020, conducted via Google Meet)

8. Turnitin User Awareness Program/Training on "How to Use Your Own Turnitin Account?"

Provider: East West University Center for Research and Training (EWUCRT)

Accreditation: Professional & Educational Services Lead, South Asia (Turnitin)

Duration: 1 day (8 July 2021, conducted via Zoom)

9. Turnitin Training on "Checking Similarity Index of Pre-Published/Published Research Articles"

Provider: East West University Center for Research and Training (EWUCRT)

Accreditation: Professional & Educational Services Lead, South Asia (Turnitin)

Duration: 1 day (28 October 2021, conducted via Zoom)

Thamina Acter obtained Ph.D degree in Chemistry from Environmental Energy Mass Spectrometry Lab, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea in 2017. Thamina’s PhD and postdoc research works was on analysis of petroleum compounds with high resolution mass spectrometry facilities, developing analytical tools and applying them to study heteroatom compounds in petroleum. Subsequently, her research has applied these principles in studies of different crude oils and hydro treated oils. Her Master’s thesis work was based on the removal of heavy metals from contaminated ground water using low cost adsorbents.

Thamina joined as Assistant Professor of Chemistry in Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, East West University in September, 2019. Thamina is an analytical and environmental chemist. Her research interests include application of instrumental approaches like High Resolution Mass Spectrometry (HR-MS), Liquid Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) etc; characterization of petroleum compounds in spilled-oil/bio-oil/treated-oil/refined oil; behavior of pollutants like heavy metals in the environment (i.e., soil, plants, sediments and water); Evaluation of the impact of pollutants on ecosystems as well as for human health; remediation of pollutants from contaminated ground or surface water; fundamentally focus on understanding behavior of potentially harmful elements and compounds in urban and rural environments in both terrestrial and aquatic systems.

Thamina published 25 research articles in high impact factor peer-reviewed international Scopus indexed journals. Her H-index is 10.

Professional Experience 

1. Associate Professor (Chemistry)

Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, East West University, Aftabnagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

September 2019 – Present

Brief description of duties:

• Teaching undergraduate courses in chemistry.
• Curriculum development for launching a new undergraduate program (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) in the current department.
• Conducting research in environmental and analytical chemistry using advanced analytical techniques including high-resolution mass spectrometry (MS) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
• Supervising student research projects.
• Guiding and mentoring students in their academic, research, and professional development.
• Collaborating on research projects with local and international institutions, focusing on environmental pollution, public health, and green chemistry.
• Preparing research proposal for EWU and International Research Grants.               

2. Assistant Professor (Chemistry)

Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, East West University, Aftabnagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

03.09.2019 to 28.07.2024

Brief description of duties:

• Teaching undergraduate courses in chemistry.
• Guiding and mentoring students in their academic, research, and professional development.
• Conducting research in environmental and analytical chemistry, with a focus on publishing findings in reputable journals.
• Supervising student’s research projects.
• Engaging in ongoing learning and development to stay current in the field of chemistry.

3. Part-time Lecturer (Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) 

Institute of Leather Engineering and Technology (ILET), University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh

20.01.2019 to 31.08.2019

Brief description of duties:

• Teaching undergraduate students.
• Conducting laboratory experiments using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). 
• Guiding and mentoring students in their academic, research, and professional development.
• Conducting research in environmental and analytical chemistry, with a focus on publishing findings in reputable journals.
• Supervising student’s research projects of ILET.
• Engaging in ongoing learning and development to stay current in the field of chemistry.

4. Post-doctoral Research Fellow (Analytical Chemistry)

Environmental Energy Mass Spectrometry Lab, Department of Chemistry, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea 

01.09.2017 to 31.10.2018

Brief description of duties:

• Developed and refined analytical methods for detecting and quantifying pollutants, improving the accuracy and efficiency of environmental analysis
• Developed and executed sophisticated research experiments utilizing ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (UHR-MS) techniques, including FTICR MS and Orbitrap MS, to analyze environmental samples
• Provided training and mentorship to undergraduate, MS, and PhD students on the use of mass spectrometry
• Conducted detailed analysis and interpretation of complex data sets, contributing to advancements in understanding chemical processes and pollutant behavior in environmental samples
• Authored and co-authored research papers for publication in reputable journals
• Engaged in international research collaborations, ensuring the integration of innovative methodologies.

Skills and Expertise 

1. Good communication skills.
2. Experienced in conducting and leading research projects, particularly in environmental and analytical chemistry.
3. Expert in operating ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (UHR-MS), including FTICR MS, Orbitrap MS, and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS).
4. Proficient in designing experiments for the identification and quantification of chemical compounds in complex matrices.
5. In-depth knowledge of environmental contamination, particularly heavy metal analysis in soil, sediment, and water systems, and the fate of spilled oils.
6. Expert in evaluating and mitigating heavy metal pollution in water bodies, with experience in using indices like Water Quality Index (WQI), Metal Quality Index (MQI), and Metal Pollution Index (MPI).
7. Expert in interpreting and analyzing complex chemical petroleum data using advanced softwares such as PetroOrg, Data Analysis, ChemBrowser, STORM-HDX, Molecular Calculator .
8. Proficient in writing and publishing research findings in peer-reviewed journals, with a strong ability to communicate complex scientific ideas effectively.
9. Strong ability to work collaboratively in a team environment. Having a good record of international research collaborations, particularly in the field of environmental mass spectrometry and heavy metal contamination using AAS.
10. Skilled in developing and refining chemistry curricula for undergraduate programs according to outcome-based education.
11. Strong ability to guide and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in their academic and research activities.
12. Experienced in managing and training laboratory personnel, including undergraduate, MS, and PhD students.

Personal Impact and Social Responsibility

1. Public Health Advocacy and Research Impact:
   Dr. Acter’s research in public health and environmental safety has contributed significantly to addressing real-world challenges, particularly in Bangladesh, a country with limited healthcare infrastructure. Her work on:

   • COVID-19: Publications like “Coping with the COVID-19 Pandemic by Strengthening Immunity” provide practical guidelines to enhance community resilience in resource-limited settings.
   • Heavy Metal Contamination: Studies on environmental pollutants have informed policies aimed at reducing public health risks associated with industrial pollution.

2. Addressing Environmental Health Issues:
   Through her research on heavy metals, oil spills, and environmental pollutants, Dr. Acter has emphasized sustainable practices and remediation strategies to protect vulnerable populations. Her findings have helped raise awareness and encourage cleaner industrial practices.

3. Empowering Local Communities:

   • At events like Food Expo 2023, she advocated for better management practices for waste cooking oil, promoting its safe disposal and educating communities about the health hazards of reused oils.
   • She actively mentors students and young researchers, instilling in them a sense of responsibility toward societal and environmental challenges.

4. Promoting Education and Equity:
   Dr. Acter works to mitigate health inequalities through targeted nutritional interventions. Her focus on improving immune function in vulnerable populations highlights her dedication to community welfare, particularly during crises like pandemics.

5. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
   Her work aligns closely with SDGs, especially:

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being: Through her public health-focused research.
   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • SDG 13: Climate Action: By addressing environmental pollution and proposing sustainable remediation techniques.
   • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: Advocating for waste management and sustainable industrial practices.

Professional Network and Collaboration

1. International Collaborations:

   • Prof. Dr. Sunghwan Kim, Kyungpook National University, South Korea: 

   • Worked on projects addressing the molecular behavior of pollutants, directly contributing to environmental monitoring and policy recommendations.

2. Regional Collaborations:

   • i) Dr. Tasrina Rabia Choudhury, Principal Scientific Officer, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC):
     To study heavy metal contamination in coastal and riverine ecosystems in Bangladesh. This research addressed crucial environmental and public health challenges, particularly for vulnerable communities, leading to impactful publications and new insights into heavy metal pollution.

   • ii) Dr. Nizam Uddin, Associate Professor, Daffodil International University (DIU):
     To evaluate the impact of environmental pollutants on food safety and explored nutritional interventions to enhance public health outcomes.

   • iii) Chevron Bangladesh, a leading multinational corporation in the oil and gas industry:
     

   • To collect and analyze natural gas condensate oil samples from three  major gas fields in northeastern Bangladesh.
     
     

   • 3. Institutional Collaboration:
     East West University (EWU):

     • Data Analysis for Environmental Research:
       • Collaborate with the Statistics to analyze complex datasets from studies on: Heavy metal contamination in water, soil, and sediment; Environmental pollutants and their health impacts; Use advanced statistical models to interpret the chemical data, validate findings, and identify trends or correlations.

1. "Environmental Petroleomics", "Natural organic matter", "Microplastic degradation", and "Plant metabolites" using Mass spectrometry: Investigating the molecular-level impact of crude oil spills using ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry (UHR-MS to understand the fate, behavior, and environmental consequences of spilled oils, contributing to effective response strategies and minimizing health risks.
2. Heavy metal contamination using Atomic absorption spectroscopy: Studying the sources, distribution, and environmental impact of heavy metals in soil, sediment, and water systems, particularly in coastal and industrial regions. Using advanced techniques like atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and geographical information systems (GIS), this research seeks to identify contamination sources and support remediation efforts to protect public health.
3. Sustainable environmental practices: Exploring green chemistry approaches for environmental remediation, including the development of alternative adsorbents and bioremediation techniques to treat contaminated water and soil sustainably, supporting long-term environmental and public health.
4. Environmental pollution and monitoring.
5. Public health and environmental safety: Examining the intersection of environmental pollution and public health, with a focus on the long-term effects of exposure to heavy metals and other contaminants. This research provides insights into mitigating health risks and improving community health outcomes.
6. Nutritional interventions for health inequality mitigation: Investigating the role of targeted nutritional programs in reducing health disparities exacerbated by crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes assessing how improved nutrition can enhance immune function and overall health in vulnerable populations, such as children and pregnant women, to address and prevent health inequalities.

Publication Reward 2024, rewarded by East West University

Course: Environmental Chemistry-I (CHE-109)

Contents: Chemical Solutions, Chemical Bonding, Chemical Equilibrium, Acids and Bases, Red-ox reactions, Electrochemistry, Lipids, Carbohydrates, Organic Chemistry

CHROMacademy (the world’s largest online training platform for chromatography and mass spectrometry), Member since 2017.