Understanding the Importance of Research in Today’s World

Dr Zhenqiang Wu works in the Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland. He is a skilled biostatistician and epidemiologist with expertise in aging, chronic disease, health service utilization, and risk modeling—particularly among older adults in New Zealand. Dr Wu has led statistical analyses in major clinical and population-based studies and co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications on frailty, polypharmacy, and vitamin D.

He has received funding from the Health Research Council and Auckland Medical Research Foundation for projects on emergency triage decision support, aged care access, and gout interventions.

Dr. Mohammed Shakhawat Islam (Shakhu) is a New Zealand-based psychiatrist with over 30 years of experience in mental health care across Bangladesh and New Zealand. Born in Barisal, he earned his MBBS from Sher-e-Bangla Medical College (Dhaka University) and a Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM) from Bangladesh Medical University. After migrating in 2000, he passed the NZREX and completed the Overseas Trained Doctors Programme at the University of Auckland. He currently serves as Senior Medical Officer at Counties Manukau Health, focusing on intensive community care and ECT/rTMS, and as an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland. His clinical expertise spans adult, child, adolescent, forensic, and addiction psychiatry, with prior training in Bangladesh and through Auckland’s Psychiatric Registrar Programme. Dr. Islam has published research on mood disorders, cultural psychiatry, and ECT, and actively contributes to multicultural initiatives and community service.

Dr Mehrdad Rafiepourgatabi is a Geospatial Engineer and researcher with a passion for integrating geospatial technologies in areas such as surveying, GIS, and smart city development. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in applying advanced tools like LiDAR and drones to address real-world challenges in environmental monitoring and urban planning.

His work focuses on improving data collection and analysis methods, fostering innovation in survey projects, and contributing to sustainability and infrastructure development. Dedicated to delivering precise, actionable insights, Mehrdad supports informed decision-making across diverse industries.

Runzhe Gao has a strong background in biostatistics and population health. She holds a Master’s degree in Statistics and has extensive experience in health data analysis. She brings experience in statistical modelling, population-level data integration, and translating complex datasets into actionable insights for targeted interventions.

Dr. Fakhruddin is a globally recognized expert in climate change risk assessment, with 17 years of experience leading disaster risk and climate resilience initiatives across more than 25 countries in Asia and the Pacific. His core expertise includes multi-hazard risk assessment, early warning systems, disaster preparedness, and coastal community resilience. He played a pivotal role in developing major early warning systems for floods, cyclones, and tsunamis, including the Indian Ocean tsunami warning system post-2004. A mentor at the University of Auckland, he also serves in leadership roles within IRDR, WMO, and CODATA. Recently, he was appointed by New Zealand to design its national climate change risk assessment framework.

Dr Kazi Rahman is an accomplished public health researcher with over a decade of experience at icddr,b in Bangladesh, where he contributed to vaccine trials and health systems research. His expertise spans infectious diseases, child health, nutrition, environmental health, and One Health. A medical graduate from Dhaka Medical College, he holds an MS in Epidemiology from Harvard and a PhD from Australian National University. He has held academic positions in Bangladesh and Australia, including Griffith and James Cook Universities. Currently at Bond University, he continues to lead innovative public health research with a focus on implementation and community impact locally and globally.

Dr. Jubayer Mumin is a medical doctor and public health professional with a Master’s in Epidemiology from Karolinska Institute, Sweden. With nine years of experience spanning clinical practice, research, and humanitarian health response, his expertise includes mental health, infectious diseases, and immunization in emergencies. He has worked with international NGOs and UN agencies, notably leading COVID-19 vaccination in the Rohingya refugee camps. His focus lies in health equity, outbreak response, and capacity building in crisis settings. Passionate about advancing global health, he combines frontline experience with evidence-based strategies to promote sustainable, community-centered public health interventions.

Dr Mahzabib is an enthusiastic public health professional with experience in public health and a strong commitment to improving health outcomes.

Dr. Md Masudul Haque is a medical doctor and public health researcher with a strong foundation in clinical practice and academic writing.  He has authored multiple books in Bengali and English, with a focus on children’s literature, speculative fiction, and health education. His work bridges medicine, literature, and public health communication. With ongoing research experience and a passion for interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Haque is committed to advancing global health equity through impactful research, storytelling, and community engagement.

Dr. Juma Rahman is a physician and epidemiologist specializing in population health, biostatistics, and health policy. She works as a Research Analyst at Te Whatu Ora – Health NZ and teaches advanced pathology  at the University of Auckland. Her research spans cardiovascular disease, environmental and reproductive health, vitamin D, and mental health issues like PTSD. She has collaborated with WHO, UNODC, and FHI 360 on public health and HIV-related projects. Dr. Rahman also serves as Associate Editor for Frontiers in Public Health. She holds an MBBS, MPH in Global Health, and a PhD in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.