There are journeys that begin with a clear destination and others that grow into something greater than originally imagined, shaping not only careers but identities. Mine belongs to the latter.

Seven years ago, I was simply a software engineer comfortable in the logic of code, far removed from the complexities of microbiology, public health, and the invisible world of pathogens. Biology, for me, was a distant memory from high school. I never imagined that one day I would stand at the intersection of technology and global health, contributing to the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

Where It All Began

The journey began in 2019 with the University of Oslo. I was tasked with developing an interoperable system to bridge two powerful platforms: DHIS2 and WHONET. The goal was to enable seamless integration of laboratory antimicrobial resistance data into national health information systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making.

This project led me to work closely with Dr. John Stelling, the founder of WHONET. Collaborating with him and the HISP India team was both inspiring and humbling. During this period, something shifted within me. Lines of code began to carry meaning beyond functionality, they became tools for understanding pathogens, resistance patterns, and ultimately, saving lives.

A New Identity Emerges

In 2020, I stepped into a new role with the International Vaccine Institute under the Fleming Fund initiative (named after Alexander Fleming). I joined as the Country Coordinator for Bangladesh under the CAPTURA project.

It was a turning point.

Suddenly, I was no longer just writing software. I was working alongside clinicians, microbiologists, policymakers, and government officials. I was expected to speak their language, understand their challenges, and contribute meaningfully to national health priorities.

But reality struck early.

Being a software engineer in a space traditionally led by medical professionals was not easy. Acceptance did not come immediately. In meetings with ministries, hospitals, and laboratories, I often felt like an outsider. There was an unspoken question in the room: “Can someone without a medical background truly lead this?”

Instead of resisting that doubt, I chose to transform it.

I enrolled in a Master of Public Health (MPH) program. That decision changed everything.

Learning to See Beyond Data

The MPH journey opened my eyes to the deeper meaning of data. Epidemiology, biostatistics, and public health principles gave context to the numbers I had been working with. Data was no longer just structured information, it became stories of patients, systems, and decisions.

During this time, I also designed and conducted an online data management and analysis course, training nearly 200 students using STATA. Teaching others reinforced my own understanding and strengthened my confidence in bridging technology and public health.

Building Amid a Pandemic

In July 2020, in the middle of a global pandemic, we began building the CAPTURA project in Bangladesh.

Movement was restricted. Uncertainty was everywhere. Yet, with special government permission, we traveled across the country, forming teams, building partnerships, and laying the foundation for a national AMR initiative.

We started with an ambitious goal: to assess microbiology laboratories across the country. From an initial pool of 96 hospitals, we conducted in-depth assessments in 46 laboratories. It was the first initiative of its kind at such a scale in Bangladesh.

Each lab told a story of strengths, limitations, and untapped potential.

The Weight of Data

Our mission was clear: collect, standardize, and analyze retrospective antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) data.

But the path was anything but easy.

Many laboratories relied on handwritten registers. Extracting retrospective data meant going through thousands of pages line by line. To make this possible, we recruited and trained 50 dedicated personnel across the country.

It was painstaking work. Days turned into nights. Weeks into months.

Yet, by the end of 2021, we had achieved something extraordinary: over 1.1 million AST records collected and digitized from 34 laboratories under formal data-sharing agreements.

We built a centralized data warehouse, integrating data from WHONET, laboratory information systems, Excel files, and manual entries. Ensuring data quality required relentless collaboration, especially with global experts like Dr. Stelling and his team.

Behind every dataset was a story of persistence.

Balancing Three Worlds

During this intense period, I was also leading a national project at JBRSOFT Limited, working on a digital transformation for the Pharmacy Council of Bangladesh serving nearly 200,000 pharmacists education and certifications.

Balancing these parallel responsibilities (CAPTURA, MPH and PCB Automation) was challenging, but it reinforced a key belief: technology, when applied correctly, can transform systems at scale.

Beyond Resistance: Understanding Use

Our work extended beyond resistance data. We began analyzing antimicrobial usage across hospitals and retail pharmacies in collaboration with the Directorate General of Drug Administration. We collected around 9 millions of sales records from the pharmacies.

Understanding how antimicrobials are used added another layer of insight connecting prescription behavior with resistance patterns.

Sharing the Insights

In May 2022, we brought together over 150 stakeholders for a national dissemination workshop. For the first time, findings from across laboratories were presented collectively, highlighting trends, multidrug resistance patterns, and consumption behaviors.

It was more than a presentation. It was a moment of realization for all of us.

A New Chapter in Seoul: From National Impact to Regional Leadership

In June 2022, my journey took a defining turn as I moved to Seoul and joined the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) as a Researcher and Data Science Engineer.

What began in Bangladesh as a national initiative had now evolved into a regional mission.

From that moment, my role expanded significantly not only contributing as a technical expert but also as a bridge between countries, systems, and people. I became deeply involved in multiple Fleming Fund–supported initiatives, including CAPTURA Phase 2, Technical Assistance for Clinical Engagement (TACE), as well as supporting platforms and programs like RADAAR and EQAsia.

This was no longer just about building systems.

It was about enabling ecosystems.

Contributing CAPTURA Phase 2: From Data to Decision

If Phase 1 was about building the foundation, CAPTURA Phase 2 was about making that foundation meaningful, sustainable, and impactful.

I was closely responsible for coordinating and supporting CAPTURA Phase 2 activities in Bangladesh, while also contributing to regional implementation. The focus shifted from data collection to data utilization ensuring that AMR and AMU/C data could truly inform decisions.

The objectives were ambitious yet necessary:

• 1. Improving the quality, quantity, and usability of AMR and AMU/C data
• 2. Strengthening data analysis, interpretation, and dissemination
• 3. Supporting policy, advocacy, and awareness through evidence
• 4. Building sustainable partnerships across national and global stakeholders

The work unfolded across multiple interconnected streams.

We strengthened data systems and analytical capacity across countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Laos, and Bhutan working hands-on with national teams to improve how data was curated, validated, and interpreted. Through platforms like AMRSurME, we introduced structured approaches to monitor surveillance system performance, bringing accountability and clarity to national programs.

At the same time, we expanded into antimicrobial use and consumption (AMU/C) supporting surveillance systems, introducing tools like NAPS, and fostering regional Communities of Practice. These spaces allowed countries to not only learn but to learn from each other.

One of the most meaningful aspects was contributing to burden of disease and cost-of-illness studies, translating data into real-world impact highlighting how AMR affects not just health, but economies and societies.

We also began addressing an often-overlooked dimension: private sector engagement. In Bangladesh, we explored strategies to integrate private healthcare providers into national AMR efforts recognizing that sustainable solutions must include all stakeholders.

And finally, through advocacy and dissemination, we ensured that data did not remain confined to reports. National and regional dissemination workshops transformed findings into conversations and conversations into action.

Driving Clinical Impact Through TACE

While CAPTURA focused on systems and data, TACE (Technical Assistance for Clinical Engagement) brought the work closer to the patient.

Here, the question was simple but powerful:

How can data influence what happens at the bedside?

Through TACE, I supported initiatives that aimed to integrate diagnostics and AMR data into clinical decision-making. This included:

• 1. Supporting the development of Clinical Engagement Plans and guidelines
• 2. Strengthening clinical leadership and capacity building
• 3. Enabling point prevalence surveys (PPS) and antimicrobial consumption analysis
• 4. Contributing to AMR burden estimation using simplified methodologies

Although much of the implementation focused on countries like Bhutan and Nepal, the lessons, tools, and frameworks extended across the region including Bangladesh.

It was here that I truly saw the full cycle: From data generation → analysis → interpretation → clinical use

And that cycle is where real impact lives.

Building Digital Foundations: Platforms That Enable Change

Across CAPTURA, TACE, and other initiatives like RADAAR and EQAsia, I played a central role in designing and developing digital platforms that supported AMR surveillance and data-driven decision-making.

These platforms were not built in isolation they were shaped by real-world challenges:

• 1. Laboratories struggling with fragmented systems
• 2. Policymakers needing clear, actionable insights
• 3. Clinicians requiring timely and reliable data

From QAAPT to AMR data repositories, from interoperability frameworks to visualization tools each system was designed with one goal: Make data usable.

And over time, we began to see the shift:

• 1. Countries using data for policy decisions
• 2. Laboratories generating regular antibiograms
• 3. Regional collaborations forming around shared tools and standards

Moments That Defined the Journey

Some moments stay with you not because they were planned, but because they meant something deeper.

In December 2023, CAPTURA released country and facility-level reports, reflecting years of effort in improving data quality and laboratory practices. Around the same time, multiple research publications in leading journals such as Clinical Infectious Diseases contributed to the global evidence base on AMR.

One of the most memorable experiences was collaborating closely with international partner organizations working alongside IVI an opportunity that felt both surreal and deeply rewarding. Contributing, even in a small way, to a global vision initiated decades ago was a true privilege.

In 2023 and again in 2024, I had the opportunity to lead capacity development training in Malaysia, hosted by the Institute for Medical Research under the Ministry of Health. These sessions focused on AMR data management and predictive analytics using WHONET and QAAPT equipping professionals with tools to better understand and respond to AMR.

Then came a full-circle moment.

In November 2024, I had the honor of leading the inauguration of CAPTURA Phase 2 and TACE in Bangladesh returning to the country where this journey began, but now with a regional perspective and a stronger foundation.

And in February 2025, during a global AMR training, I presented QAAPT as a key platform demonstrating how innovation, when combined with collaboration, can scale impact across borders.

In January 2026, we successfully organized the CAPTURA and TACE joint dissemination workshop in Bangkok, Thailand, marking a key milestone and final deliverable of the Fleming Fund Phase 2 program.

Beyond Systems: A Sense of Purpose

This chapter in Seoul was not just about expanding my role.

It was about understanding scale.

It was about embracing complexity.

And most importantly it was about realizing that meaningful change happens when technology, people, and purpose align.

Impact That Endures

Looking back, the outcomes in Bangladesh stand as a testament to what collaboration can achieve:

• 1. The first nationwide assessment of microbiology laboratory capacity
• 2. Strengthened public-private partnerships in AMR surveillance
• 3. Nationwide adoption of WHONET for routine antibiogram development
• 4. Integration of AMR data into national One Health surveillance systems
• 5. Establishment of a strong national technical network supporting laboratories

Regional Impact and Collaboration

Beyond Bangladesh, the impact of this journey extended across South and Southeast Asia, contributing to a growing regional ecosystem for AMR surveillance, data use, and collaboration.

• 1. Supported multiple countries including Nepal, Bhutan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and others in strengthening AMR and AMU/C surveillance systems
• 2. Facilitated regional knowledge exchange through Communities of Practice (CoP), trainings, and technical workshops
• 3. Contributed to the development and deployment of scalable digital platforms for AMR data management and visualization
• 4. Strengthened interoperability and standardization of data across countries, enabling comparative analysis and regional insights
• 5. Led and supported capacity development initiatives, including international trainings and hands-on technical sessions
• 6. Enabled evidence-based policymaking by supporting data analysis, reporting, and dissemination at both national and regional levels

Technology as a Catalyst

Along this journey, several technological innovations emerged:

• 1. Interoperability between WHONET and DHIS2
• 2. Development of the QAAPT AMR analytics platform
• 3. Development and Implementation of NEQTrack for quality assurance across multiple countries (Bangladesh, Nepal and Malaysia)
• 4. Creation of AMRDigitalHub as a centralized resource platform
• 5. Tools for antimicrobial usage data curation and analysis

These were not just systems, they were enablers of change.

Lessons That Stay

If this journey has taught me anything, it is this:

• 1. Your background does not define your impact
• 2. Dedication can bridge even the widest gaps
• 3. Collaboration is more powerful than expertise alone
• 4. Evidence speaks louder than ideas
• 5. And most importantly growth begins where comfort ends

Not an Ending, But a Continuation

As the Fleming Fund program reaches its official conclusion (March 31, 2026), it does not feel like an ending.

It feels like a transition.

The work, the lessons, and the relationships built over these seven years cannot simply stop. They have become a part of who I am.

What began as a software engineering task evolved into a purpose driven journey, one that connected code to care, data to decisions, and technology to public health impact.

Gratitude: A Journey Built on People

No journey of this scale is ever achieved alone. Behind every milestone, every challenge overcome, and every success realized, there are people whose support, trust, and guidance made it possible.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Fleming Fund & Mott MacDonald (Claudia (Luna) Parry, Dr. Manish Pathak, Neha Gulati, Manisha Bista) for creating a platform that empowers individuals from diverse backgrounds to contribute meaningfully to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance. Their vision has not only shaped programs but also transformed careers, including mine.

I am sincerely thankful to the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) for providing me the opportunity to grow, explore, and contribute at both national and regional levels. The environment at IVI—driven by collaboration, innovation, and impact—has been instrumental in shaping my professional journey.

A special acknowledgment goes to Dr. John Stelling, whose lifelong dedication to AMR surveillance has inspired generations. Working alongside him has been one of the most valuable learning experiences of my career.

I am deeply grateful to all mentors (Dr. Florian Marks, Dr. Marianne Holm), supervisors (Dr. Nimesh Poudyal, Dr. Birkneh Tilahun Tadesse), and colleagues across CAPTURA & TACE (Hea Sun Joh, Andreia Santos, Camille Dauvergne, Emmanuel Eraly, Soo Young Kwon, Ji Hyun Han, Hyein Yoon, Sanjay Gautam, Kristi Prifti, Alyssa Cho, Kyu-young Kevin Chi, Ahmed Taha Aboushady, Pem Chuki, Sonam Wangda, Manish Gautam, Dr. Ron Cheah, Dr. Rod James, Professor Karin (Kas) Thursky, William MacWright, Patrick Gallagher, Affan Shaikh, Brooke Dolabella, Adam Clark, Fiona Walsh, Hannah Goymann, Prof. Dr. Till Baernighausen), RADAAR (Satyajit Sarkar, Jungseok Lee, Prerana Parajulee, Sajan Gubarathna, Jae Hee Hwang), EQAsia (Dr. René S. Hendriksen, Dr. Hiba-Al-Mir, Lone Brink Rasmussen, Tomislav Simeonov Kostyanev, Maimoona Emmad, Natasia Rebekka Thornval, Christa Twyford Gibson, Freshwork Ayalew Abegaz) and related initiatives who trusted me, guided me, and supported me throughout this journey. Your encouragement and collaboration helped me navigate a field where I once felt like an outsider.

My heartfelt thanks to the national stakeholders in Bangladesh including representatives from government ministries (Prof. Tahmina Shirin, Prof. Dr. Md. Halimur Rashid, Prof. Dr. Sanya Tahmina Jhora, Prof. Dr. Sabrina Flora, Prof. Dr. Shahnila Ferdousy, Prof. Zakir H. Habib, Dr. Samsad Rabbani Khan, Dr. Shahriar Rizvi, Piash Kumer Deb, Dr. Hurul Jannat Shimu, Dr. Noor Ashad-uz-zaman, Dr. Saima Binte Golam Rasul, Md. Kazi Saiful Islam, Dr. Rabeya Sultana, Dr. Nawroz Afreen, Dr. Nandita Banik, Md. Shakawat Hossain), directorates (DGDA: Sabrina Yesmin), laboratories (Dr. Nikhat Ara), hospitals (Dr. Asif Rashed, Dr Arifa Akram, Dr. Md. Shakeel Ahmed, Md. Zahangir Alam, Dr. Nurunnahar Mawla, Dr. Shika Paul, Prof. Dr. Md. Sayeed Hasan, Dr. Jobayer Hossain, Prof. Dr. Mushtaqe Ahmed, Dr. Senjuti Saha, Dr. Lovely Boroi, Dr. Saifuddin Khaled, Dr Md. Abdullah Siddique), medical colleges(Dr. Sangjukta Roy, Prof. Dr. Most. Fahmida Begum, Dr. Mahfuza Nasrin, Dr. Roksana Akter, Dr. Md. Shakeel Ahmed, Dr. Jannatul Ferdous, Dr. Premananda Das, Prof. Mahmuda Siddiqua, Dr. Fatima Tuj Johora, Prof. Dr. S.M. Shamsuzzaman, Dr. Abul Kalam) and partner (FF CG: Prof. Nitish Debnath, Prof. Shah Monir Hossain, Dr. Nure Alam Siddiky, Dr. Zobaid Khan) organizations—who welcomed, trusted, and collaborated with me. Your openness to innovation and commitment to strengthening AMR systems made every achievement possible.

To the laboratory professionals, data collectors, and field teams who worked tirelessly often under challenging conditions your dedication turned vision into reality. The scale of work achieved would not have been possible without your perseverance.

I would also like to acknowledge the CAPTURA BD Team (Dr. Hridika Talukder Barua, Md. Abul Hasnat, Dr. Amany Ayub) and team at JBRSOFT Limited (Raton Kumar, Tabarul Islam, Razidul Islam, Shanjida Rahman Sultana, Fatema Banu, Sabera Banu, Omar Ibn Kamal, ), whose continuous support allowed me to balance multiple responsibilities and continue delivering impactful digital solutions alongside my public health work.

Finally, I extend my gratitude to friends and family for their patience, understanding, and encouragement throughout this demanding journey. Your silent support has been a constant source of strength.

A Closing Reflection

If this journey has taught me anything, it is that meaningful impact is never an individual achievement, it is always the result of shared vision, collective effort, and mutual trust.

I remain grateful to everyone who has been part of this path.

And I carry forward not just the experience—but the responsibility to continue contributing.