Twin-Bed in AHM Cancer Hospital Dedicated to Late Dr.  Md. Shahabuddin
Austin Sept. 23^rd, '07. In a simple ceremony held recently at the Head Office of Ahsania Mission, Dr. Ashfaque Hossain accompanied by the two children and wife of Late Dr.  Mohammed Sahabuddin handed over a check of Tk. 1,000,000 (Taka one million), roughly equivalent to $14,200 to Kazi Rafiqul Alam, President and CE of the Mission. The donation was raised  mainly by relentless efforts of  the two USA-Based DU Associations, DUMAA (Dhaka University Microbiologists Alumni Association) and DUBNA (Dhaka University Biochemists of North America). Biochemists and Microbiologists and their friends of other related disciplines worldwide of Bangladeshi origin responded to their appeal and raised the above amount to honor Late Shahabuddin, who earned international recognition  for his original contribution to the epidemiology of  pernicious malaria and its eradication through vaccine development.  Malarial vaccine tried in Mozambique proved that it effectively works on 58% of the population. 

To honor the late scientist's memory the Memorial Committee, a year ago, set a goal to raise the above amount to bear the cost of a twin-bed cabin in the under-construction Ahsania Mission Cancer Hospital in Uttara and they did reach their target in record time. However, it took sometime for the committee to realize the pledged amount and process it. Read the details by clicking here or the title.
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We have made it: Once Determined, Bangladeshis can Achieve any Lofty Goal
Austin Nov. 20, ’06.   The targeted amount of $ 30,000 has been reached. Now the stage has been set to dedicate a Ward in Ahsania  Mission Cancer Hospital in the memory of our beloved scientist Dr. Shahabuddin. GNOBB take this opportunity to thank all the donors whose generous contributions have made to possible to accomplish this noble mission. Once again Bangladeshis have proved that given determination they can achieve what may appear to be a formidable task, impossible to achieve

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GNOBB has an humble suggestion to make. Could we not continue to raise more funds from those who did not so far contribute their share to this noble cause? And utilize this amount for helping patients too poor to buy medicines and meet other incidental expenses. DUBNA, DUMAA may also consider creating a unit where  research can be carried out on various aspects of cancer.  

GNOBB is pleased to inform the community that in their database there are eleven
scientists working in various aspects of cancer. They can join hands to start this unit there. The world bodies, such as WHO will surely support such research endeavor. The cancer research group in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Bilkent University, Turkey will be helpful for drawing up  such a project.   We can take advantage of  the Chairman Prof. Mehmet Ozturk's visit to Bangladesh in the first week of April. Pl see the list of donors by clicking the line in blue fonts.
 

Name of  donors	Affiliation	Date of   payment	Amount       Collected
Raised initially from North American (NA) donors	Mostly NA past graduates from Biochemistry & Microbiology, DU	Before October 13, 2005	$ 5200
*Anonymous			$10,000
Click to see the list of donors as of November 20, 2006*		Updated up to Nov. 20, 2006	$14,800

*The anonymous donor  paid the balance of $10,000 after a total of  $ 20,000 were  raised  from the rest of the community members.
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Shahab Memorial Cancer Ward: Notice to Prospective Donors
Austin, Dec 14, 06. Dr. Ashfaque Hossain (ashfaquehossain@yahoo.com) informs the prospective donors and those whose deposits were not accepted by Banks due to some restrictions to transmit their donations payable to Mr. Arifur Rahman, Greater Atlantic Bank, Account no. 0375007531, Routing no. 055073448. Mr Arifur Rahman's address is, 109 Tall Grass CT. Rockville, MD 20850, Tel: 301-309-8663 E.mail: arahman@usuhs.mil. Read the original email from Dr. Ashfaq Hossain>>
Austin Sept 21, '06. With a deep sense of sorrow and heavy heart, GNOBB announces the passing away of Dr. Mohammed Shahabuddin, one of our luminaries in biotech field in general and vaccine development against malaria in particular. He was internationally known for his valuable contribution in the field of transgenic insect and gene microarray technology. Last year when he came back from hospital, we all had a sigh of relief, thinking that Allah spared his life and he has had many more years of research career. He talked to me over an hour on phone when we invited him to join the Forum. We spoke how the standard of research work can be elevated in our country and how he would like to establish a mol. biol. laboratory in Dhaka  to conduct research in quest of a vaccine to eradicate malaria form the country. That was in  October 2004. The famous Boston College where he set up his research team for malarial research mourned his death full of pathos and eulogy for his great contribution to science. Read more >>

It will be a befitting tribute to his memory, if we could at least create a scholarship fund and utilize the interest for a commemorative award to the outstanding young biochemist of the year and open it to the entire young biochemist community. GNOBB offer heartfelt condolence to Dr. Shahabuddin's family members. May Allah rest his soul in peace and give his bereaved family members patience and fortitude to bear this tragic loss. GNOBB will publish in its column, if any  GNOBB member or any of his friends like to recount Dr. Shahabuddin's achievements or any aspect of his life and mission.
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(See the list of archived items given below for the earlier news)

• Prof. Azad's  condolence message.

• Prof. Zeba Seraj's  message of tribute to Dr Shahabuddin  addressed to Young BB. 

• Glowing tribute by Mr. A. A. Munir Hasan, National Project Coordinator of an IT Project in PM's Office and General Secretary of Bangladesh Mathematical Olympiad Committee in his  article published on the second of October edition in the "Bigyan Projonmo" section of "Prothom Alo". 

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Highlights of Dr. Shahabuddin’s Research to Combat Malaria
Austin Oct. 03, ’06. Highlighting outstanding achievements, Professor Zeba Seraj, DU has written a brief life sketch in memory of Dr. Shahabuddin for  Biochem graduates'  web page. For interested readers, the article is posted in GNOBB home page. Click & read.
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