Dr. Shahneaz Ali Khan has a distinguished academic and professional background in veterinary medicine, biochemistry, and molecular biology. After earning his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Chittagong University, he pursued an MPhil in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. His career took a pivotal turn when he joined Eco Health Alliance in New York as a research scientist, where he studied the impact of the Nipah virus in fruit bats and its implications for livestock health. This experience laid the foundation for his ongoing research in public health and veterinary sciences.
Upon returning to Bangladesh, Dr. Khan joined Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) in 2008, initially as a lecturer in the Department of Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology. He later advanced to the position of Assistant Professor. His work at CVASU has been marked by fruitful collaborations with international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research (ICDDR,B), and Eco Health Alliance.
Dr. Khan's academic journey continued with a PhD from Queensland University of Technology, under the guidance of Professor Peter Timms, focusing on the development of a chlamydial vaccine for koalas. His research has contributed significantly to the field, with numerous publications in prestigious journals such as Vaccine, PLOS One, mBio, PLOS Pathogens, Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID), and Preventive Veterinary Medicine.
His research interests cover a broad range of critical issues in public health and veterinary medicine, with a particular focus on:
1. Vector-Borne Diseases (VBDs) and One Health Approach
- Monitoring and assessing the risks of vector-borne diseases in Bangladesh, especially in collaboration with European universities.
- Promoting the One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health.
2. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Public Health
- Investigating antimicrobial resistance across ecosystems, focusing on its transfer from animals to humans via the food chain, particularly through poultry and fish.
- Addressing antimicrobial use in veterinary practices and its impact on the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria.
3. Molecular Epidemiology and Zoonotic Diseases
- Studying zoonotic diseases like multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli and viruses like Nipah and Hepatitis E.
- Investigating the transmission dynamics of these diseases, especially their spillover from wildlife to humans.
4. Food Safety and Veterinary Medicine
- Exploring food safety issues, particularly antimicrobial residues in animal-origin foods and their public health implications.
5. Environmental Health and Pesticide Exposure
- Examining the toxic effects of pesticide exposure from agricultural practices on human health through environmental contamination.
- Using animal models to study these impacts, particularly in Bangladesh.
6. Wildlife and Environmental Health
- Focusing on infectious diseases in wildlife populations and the role of wildlife in emerging zoonotic diseases, including research on Chlamydia in koalas.
7. Epidemiological Surveys and Public Health Behavior
- Assessing public health knowledge, attitudes, and practices in Bangladesh, particularly regarding diseases like tuberculosis and COVID-19.
8. Emerging Infectious Diseases and Pandemic Preparedness
- Researching emerging infectious diseases, particularly bat-borne viruses like Nipah, and strategies for improving pandemic preparedness in resource-limited settings.
Dr. Khan has also been awarded various grants, such as the WWCT Award from the Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Columbus Zoo Conservation Fund, and the University Grant Commission Research Award. His extensive contributions to research and public health make him a key figure in advancing knowledge on zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the One Health approach to safeguard the health of humans, animals, and the environment.