Plant Genomics · NMSU · Las Cruces, NM


Ahmed

🧬 Bioinformatics Python · R HPC · Linux Plant Genomics Bailey Lab · NMSU
GitHub
def analyze_fabaceae_genome(fasta_path, ref): seqs = parse_fasta(fasta_path) alns = minimap2_align(seqs, ref, preset="map-ont") numts = detect_numts(alns) nupts = detect_nupts(alns) return summarize(numts, nupts) # NUMTs & NUPTs in Fabaceae Pipeline results = analyze_fabaceae_genome( "fabaceae_combined.fa", "chloroplast_reference.fa" ) # DESeq2 differential expression dds <- DESeqDataSetFromMatrix( countData = counts, colData = col_data, design = ~ condition ) dds <- DESeq(dds) res <- results(dds) plotMA(res, ylim=c(-5,5)) # BLAST sequence annotation blastn -query numt_candidates.fa \ -db nt -out results.xml \ -outfmt 5 -evalue 1e-5 # samtools BAM processing samtools sort -o sorted.bam aln.bam samtools index sorted.bam samtools flagstat sorted.bam # HTCondor job submission condor_submit genome_assembly.sub condor_q -format "%s\n" JobStatus def analyze_fabaceae_genome(fasta_path, ref): seqs = parse_fasta(fasta_path) alns = minimap2_align(seqs, ref) numts = detect_numts(alns) nupts = detect_nupts(alns) return summarize(numts, nupts)
Shakil Ahmed
Shakil Ahmed
PhD Student · Molecular Biology
Bailey Lab, NMSU
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Research Projects
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Conf. Presentations
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Institutions
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Scholarships
02 / Research

Current Projects

Ongoing
Plant Response to Electrical Treatments & Secondary Metabolites
Examining whether low-current electricity exposure affects secondary metabolite production in plants. Combines HPLC analysis, Total Phenolics extraction, and metabolomics to understand electrochemical stress responses — a novel intersection of plant physiology and agricultural biotechnology.
HPLC Metabolomics Plant Physiology Total Phenolics
🔬 Bailey Lab · NMSU · Sep 2023 – Present
🌱
Completed
Phytoremediation of Cadmium & Arsenic in Contaminated Soils
Investigated the capacity of Brassica species and Pteris vittata (brake fern) to extract toxic heavy metals (cadmium and arsenic) from contaminated agricultural soils. Includes heavy metal extraction protocols and analytical chemistry techniques.
Phytoremediation Heavy Metals Brassica Environmental Science
🔬 Agrotechnology Lab · Univ. of Rajshahi · Jul 2022 – Jun 2023
🍅
Completed · Published
Organic vs. Inorganic Fertilizers on Tomato Growth & Yield
Multi-year undergraduate research project evaluating the effects of different fertilizer combinations on tomato varieties — measuring growth metrics, yield, and biochemical properties including total phenolics and nutritional composition. Led to a peer-reviewed journal publication.
Agronomy Tomato Fertilizer Science Published
🔬 Horticulture Lab · Univ. of Rajshahi · Jan 2019 – Apr 2022
📄 Publications
01
Investigating the Integration of Organelle-Derived DNA in the Nuclear Genomes of Fabaceae MS Thesis
Shakil Ahmed
New Mexico State University, 2025
02
Effect of organic and inorganic fertilizer combination on growth and yield of tomato varieties Journal Article
Md. Ekramul Hoque, Md. Kawser Ali, Md. Moniruzzaman, Prabesh Rai & Shakil Ahmed
Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture and Life Science · 1(1): 83–87 · 2020
03 / Talks & Posters

Conference Presentations

MAY 2026 Poster
Sequencing to Function: Analysis and Application for the Future (SFA²F) 2026
📍 Los Alamos National Laboratory · Los Alamos, NM · May 19–21, 2026
APR 2026 Oral
Graduate Research & Arts Symposium (GRAS) 2026
📍 New Mexico State University · Las Cruces, NM · April 16, 2026
MAR 2026 Poster
Biosymposium Program 2026
📍 Department of Biology · NMSU · Las Cruces, NM · March 28, 2026
JAN 2025 Poster
Plant & Animal Genome (PAG) Conference
📍 San Diego, CA · January 10–15, 2025
NOV 2024 Oral
Graduate Research & Arts Symposium 2024
📍 New Mexico State University · Las Cruces, NM · November 9, 2024
JUL 2024 Invited Talk
Invited Talk — NMSU Genomics Program
📍 Summer Science Program (SSP) International, Inc. · Las Cruces, NM · July 26, 2024
MAY 2024 Poster
Sequencing to Function: Analysis and Application for the Future (SFA²F) 2024
📍 Los Alamos National Laboratory · Los Alamos, NM · May 21–23, 2024
APR 2024 Poster
Biosymposium Program 2024
📍 Department of Biology · NMSU · Las Cruces, NM · April 20, 2024
🛠️ Workshops & Training
📊
Differential Gene Expression Analysis
RNA-seq workflows: QC, alignment, DESeq2, pathway analysis, co-expression. Hands-on training on large-scale biological datasets.
National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR) · Mar 2024
🖥️
High-Throughput Computing (HTC) Systems
HTCondor, OSG Open Science Pool, large-scale scientific computing workflows. Run and manage massive computing applications.
CHTC · UW–Madison / OSG · Aug 2024
🔬
Bioinformatics for Biotechnology
Practical uses of bioinformatics tools in biotechnology research. Sequence analysis, databases, and computational approaches.
National Institute of Biotechnology · Bangladesh · Sep 2021

Curriculum Vitae

Academic background, research experience, technical skills, and achievements.

PhD in Molecular Biology
New Mexico State University, USA
Aug 2025 – Present CGPA 4.00
Master of Science in Biology
New Mexico State University, USA
Aug 2023 – Jul 2025 CGPA 3.768
Bachelor of Science in Agriculture
University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Jan 2017 – Jul 2022 CGPA 3.75 / 4.00
Aug 2026 – Present
Graduate Assistant
Genome Sequencing Facility · MBIL Program, New Mexico State University
Genome sequencing support, molecular biology workflows, and research computing.
May 2026 – Aug 2026
Research Assistant
Bailey Lab, New Mexico State University
Plant genomics, organelle-derived DNA, and bioinformatics research.
Aug 2025 – May 2026
Teaching Assistant
Department of Biology, New Mexico State University
Plant Taxonomy (Fall 2025) · Structure and Function of Plants (Spring 2026)
May 2025 – Aug 2025
Research Assistant
Leyendecker Plant Science Research Center, NMSU
Aug 2024 – May 2025
Teaching Assistant
Department of Biology, New Mexico State University
Biodiversity, Ecology & Evolution Lab (Fall 2024) · Structure and Function of Plants (Spring 2025)
Jun 2024 – Aug 2024
Teaching Assistant & Residential Mentor
Summer Science Program (SSP) International, Inc.
Genomics
Aug 2023 – May 2024
Teaching Assistant
Department of Biology, New Mexico State University
Plant Taxonomy (Fall 2023) · Structure and Function of Plants (Spring 2024)
Jul 2022 – Jun 2023
Graduate Research Assistant
Agrotechnology Laboratory, University of Rajshahi
Department of Agronomy & Agricultural Extension
Jan 2019 – May 2022
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Horticulture Laboratory, University of Rajshahi
Department of Crop Science & Technology
🧬 Bioinformatics & Genomics
Genome Assembly BLAST Genome Annotation Transcriptomic Analysis RNA-seq Command Line Genomics Linux HTCondor Galaxy
💻 Software & Computing
MS Word MS PowerPoint MS Excel Google Colab Python SAS R LaTeX Adobe Photoshop Adobe Illustrator
🔬 Molecular Biology
PCR Gel Electrophoresis DNA Purification RNA Extraction cDNA Cloning Primer Design qPCR
🌿 Plant Chemistry
HPLC Total Phenolics Extraction Heavy Metal Extraction Cadmium Analysis Arsenic Analysis Pipetting
🦠 Microbiology
Pipetting Morbidostat LB Broth Cell Culture Bacterial Transformation Antibiotic Resistance Bacteria gDNA Extraction
⚙️ High-Throughput Computing
CHTC Training Open Science Pool Scientific Workflows Large-Scale Datasets RNA-seq Workflows
🧬
NCGR Differential Gene Expression Workshop Scholarship – $1,000
RNA-seq and differential gene expression training · 2026
🏆
ASNMSU Travel Grant – $1,000
New Mexico State University · PAG Conference 2025
✈️
Graduate Student Council Travel Grant – $625
New Mexico State University · PAG Conference 2025
🎓
Drs. Joaquin and Martha Loustaunau Memorial Endowed Graduate Scholarship – $735
New Mexico State University · 2024–2025 Academic Year
Travel Grant & Financial Support – OSG School 2024
University of Wisconsin–Madison
🌟
Graduate Student Leader 2024
Biology GSO · NMSU Graduate School
Rajshahi University Scholarship Award
Four years of academic scholarship · 14,400 BDT + full tuition waiver
Training on Differential Gene Expression Analysis
National Center for Genome Resources, USA
09–13 Mar 2026
Hands-on RNA-seq differential expression workflow training with Linux basics, quality control, read alignment, abundance estimation, visualization, pathway analysis, and co-expression analysis using large-scale biological datasets.
RNA-seqDE analysisLinuxVisualization
High-Throughput Computing Systems for Scientific Research
CHTC, UW–Madison · Open Science Pool
05–09 Aug 2024
In-depth training on high-throughput computing systems, running and managing large-scale scientific applications, scientific computing workflows, and handling extensive datasets.
HTCHTCondorLarge datasetsScientific workflows
Bioinformatics for Biotechnology Research
National Institute of Biotechnology, Bangladesh
05–09 Sep 2021
Training on practical bioinformatics applications in biotechnology-related research, including sequence analysis, biological databases, and computational approaches.
BioinformaticsSequence analysisDatabases
Workshop on Enhancing Agricultural Extension Practices
Department of Agricultural Extension, Bangladesh
21–26 Apr 2019
Field visits, training sessions, practical demonstrations, farmer meetings, and professional networking focused on agricultural extension practices.
ExtensionField trainingFarmer meetingsAgriculture
Technical University of Munich (TUM) · Course
The Economics of Agro-Food Value Chains
Business Psychology Strategy Compensation Leadership and Management
View certificate
Completed June 2020
Credential ID: 92V5N4VMNREC
University of Florida · Course
Sustainable Agricultural Land Management
Technical Product Management Leadership and Management Regulations and Compliance Culture
View certificate
Completed June 2020
Credential ID: ENMZ7RLM7CBK
University of Western Australia · Course
Discover Best Practice Farming for a Sustainable 2050
Strategy Planning Human Learning People Development
View certificate
Completed June 2020
Credential ID: WMTLEFYBRNVE
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign · Course
Global Postharvest Loss Prevention: Fundamentals, Technologies, and Actors
Supply Chain Systems Supply Chain and Logistics Strategy and Operations
View certificate
Completed May 2020
Credential ID: 2U5SN2CMPM2P
💼
Treasurer
Molecular Biology & Interdisciplinary Life Sciences Graduate Student Organization (MBIL-GSO) · NMSU
May 2026 – Current
BGSO Logo
President
Biology Graduate Students Organisation (BGSO) · NMSU
Mar 2024 – Feb 2025
RUAC Logo
Co-founder
Rajshahi University Agricultural Club (RUAC)
Dec 2017 – Present
IAAS Logo
Local Director
IAAS Bangladesh – Rajshahi University Chapter
Mar 2020 – Aug 2021
🌿
Botanical Society of America (BSA)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🌿
American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS)
Member · Sep 2026 – Present
🌾
American Society of Agronomy (ASA)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🌱
Crop Science Society of America (CSSA)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🌎
Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🧬
Society for Systematic Biologists (SSB)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🌱
Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE)
Member · Sep 2024 – Present
🌎
Ecological Society of America (ESA)
Member · Sep 2024 – Aug 2025
05 / About

My Story

"From rice paddies
to DNA sequencers —
one curious mind."
I grew up in Bangladesh, where agricultural landscapes shaped my love for the natural world. At the University of Rajshahi, I pursued a BSc in Agriculture, discovering the power of science to explain how living systems work — and earning a scholarship for four consecutive years.

In 2023, I crossed an ocean and a continent to join New Mexico State University. My MS research focused on how organelle DNA integrates into plant nuclear genomes, blending wet lab work with bioinformatics on HPC clusters. I graduated with a 3.768 GPA and presented at conferences at Santa Fe, NM and San Diego, CA.

Today, as a PhD student in Molecular Biology, I serve at NMSU's Genome Sequencing Facility, continue teaching, mentoring, and pushing the frontiers of plant genomics. I'm driven by curiosity, collaboration, and the belief that plants hold secrets worth decoding.
🎓
3 Degrees
BSc · MSc · PhD (in progress)
🌐
2 Countries
Bangladesh → USA
🔬
1 Mission
Decoding plant genomes
🗺️ Academic Journey
🇧🇩
2017
Started BSc in Agriculture
University of Rajshahi · Bangladesh
🍅
2020
First Journal Publication
Bangladesh Journal of Agriculture & Life Science
🌿
2022
Phytoremediation Research
Agrotechnology Lab · Univ. of Rajshahi
🇺🇸
2023
Joined NMSU — MS in Biology
New Mexico State University · USA
🧬
2025
MS Thesis Completed · PAG Conference
Bailey Lab · NMSU · San Diego
🔭
2025+
PhD in Molecular Biology
Genome Sequencing Facility · NMSU
👥 References
🔬
Dr. Donovan Bailey
Professor, Department of Biology · NMSU
🌿
Dr. Erik Lehnhoff
Associate Professor, Entomology, Plant Pathology & Weed Science · NMSU
06 / Contact

Get in Touch

I'm always open to discussing research collaborations, genomics questions, internship opportunities, or anything related to plant molecular biology and computational genomics. Don't hesitate to reach out!

✉️
📍
Location
Molecular Biology & Interdisciplinary Life Sciences
New Mexico State University · Las Cruces, NM 88003
🧪
Lab
Bailey Lab · NMSU