The development of accessible cholera vaccines in Bangladesh remains the defining achievement of Firdausi Qadri, a scientist whose work focuses on immunology and infectious disease control. Spanning over two decades, her research targets enteric pathogens to improve public health outcomes for vulnerable populations, including those residing in crowded urban slums and refugee settlements.
Academic Foundation
Born on 31 March 1951, Qadri pursued her early scientific training in her home country. She earned both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in biochemistry and molecular biology from the University of Dhaka, completing these degrees in 1975 and 1977.
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Following her doctoral studies, Qadri returned to Bangladesh to complete a postdoctoral fellowship at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease and Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B). She joined the institution as an associate scientist in 1988. Over the subsequent years, she advanced to the position of director of the Centre for Vaccine Sciences. Her work centers on genomic and proteomic technology, as well as diagnostics for ETEC, typhoid, rotavirus, and Helicobacter pylori.
Vaccine Implementation
A primary objective of her career involved finding an affordable alternative to the costly Dukoral vaccine. Qadri demonstrated the efficacy of the Shanchol vaccine within Dhaka's impoverished areas, facilitating its adoption as a standard public health intervention. To expand her research capabilities, she founded the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives in 2014, utilizing funds from the Christophe Mérieux Prize she received two years prior.
Professional Recognition
Qadri holds a fellowship with the Bangladesh Academy of Sciences and maintains memberships with organizations such as The World Academy of Sciences and the American Society for Microbiology. Her scientific contributions have earned international recognition, including the L'Oréal-UNESCO Award for Women in Science in 2020, the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2021, and the 2024 Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal. The Government of Bangladesh honored her with the Independence Award in 2023.
Fast facts
- Born: 31 March 1951, Bangladesh
- Education: University of Dhaka, University of Liverpool
- Primary affiliation: ICDDR,B
- Specialization: Immunology, vaccinologist, microbiologist
- Key research: Cholera, ETEC, typhoid, rotavirus
- Notable honor: Ramon Magsaysay Award (2021)
- Recent honor: Clara Southmayd Ludlow Medal (2024)
- Citizenship: Bangladesh, Pakistan
Questions readers ask
What is the focus of Firdausi Qadri's research?
Her research focuses on enteric diseases, specifically immunology, genomics, and the development of cost-effective vaccines for cholera and other infectious pathogens.
What institution did she establish?
In 2014, she founded the Institute for Developing Science and Health Initiatives (ideSHi) to further research into infectious enteric diseases.
