Why colorectal cancer genetics matter in Bangladesh
What studying KRAS, PIK3CA and PTEN in Bangladeshi patients taught me about the gaps in global cancer data.
Read post →01 · About
From bench to bedside
I'm an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's student in Innovative Medicine (IMIM). After my first year at Uppsala University in Sweden, I'm now continuing at the University of Tartu in Estonia. My foundation is in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, with both a Bachelor's and a Master's from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh.
My research interests centre on molecular oncology: the genetic changes that drive cancer, and how we can detect them earlier and more precisely. I have studied driver-gene mutations in Bangladeshi colorectal and breast cancer patients, developed proximity ligation assays at SciLifeLab, and explored cGAS–STING signalling in tumour immunology.
I work across both wet-lab and computational research, from PCR, sequencing and immunohistochemistry to R and bioinformatics. Beyond the lab, I've spent years writing about cancer for the public, and I enjoy telling stories through photography.
Cancer genetics
Molecular diagnostics
Functional genomics
Tumour immunology
Translational research
4research placements in Sweden and Bangladesh
3.88MS GPA out of 4.00
4papers and conference abstracts
3national and EU scholarships
CurrentlyStudying Innovation in Bioengineering at the University of Tartu, and open to Master's thesis projects in cancer biology and immunology.
02 · Research
Research experience
From population genetics of colorectal cancer to assay development and tumour immunology.
Research Intern (MSc)
Feb – Jun 2026Ulf Landegren Group, SciLifeLab · Uppsala, Sweden
ProjectDevelopment of an Antibody Proximity Ligation Assay (AbPLA) for detection of anti-La autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus
SupervisorMarcus Danielsson
- Hands-on training in proximity ligation assay (PLA), qPCR and flow cytometry
- Designed and ran experiments, analysed results, and presented findings in written and oral reports
Graduate Research Project
Nov – Dec 2025Mats Hellström Group (Neuro-oncology Lab), Dept. of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University
ProjectEvaluation of cGAMP-induced interferon-β responses in EL4 tumour cell and splenocyte co-cultures via the cGAS–STING pathway
- Ran in vitro specificity experiments on cGAMP-mediated cGAS–STING stimulation in tumour cell lines
- Hands-on training in cell culture and ELISA; presented findings in written and oral reports
Graduate Research Assistant & MS Thesis
May 2023 – Jan 2025Functional Genomics and Proteomics Laboratory, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
ThesisAssociation of KRAS, PIK3CA, PTEN and ETS-1 genes with colorectal cancer and their correlation with clinicopathological and lifestyle factors in the Bangladeshi population
SupervisorProfessor Dr. Mohammad Al-Forkan
- p53 codon 72 polymorphism and invasive ductal breast cancer in Bangladeshi patients
- APC polymorphisms and KRAS mutations in relation to etiology, recurrence and lifestyle factors in colorectal cancer
- Sanger sequencing, PCR/qPCR, RFLP, DNA/RNA extraction and electrophoresis
Laboratory Intern
Oct – Nov 2022Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology, Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital · Dhaka
SupervisorProf. Dr. Md. Zillur Rahman
- Practical training in histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and FISH for cancer diagnosis and classification
- Tissue processing, sectioning, staining, microscopy and molecular detection of cancer-associated alterations
Education
2025 – present
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's in Innovative Medicine (IMIM)
University of Tartu, Estonia · Innovation in Bioengineering
Uppsala University, Sweden · Innovative Medicine
Erasmus Mundus Scholar
2022 – 2024
M.S. (Thesis), Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
GPA 3.88 / 4.00
2018 – 2022
B.Sc. (Hons.), Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology
University of Chittagong, Bangladesh
CGPA 3.84 / 4.00
03 · Publications
Publications & talks
Journal article · 2025
Association of p53 codon 72 polymorphisms with expression status of hormone receptors like ER, PR, and HER-2 in invasive ductal breast carcinoma in Bangladeshi women
Rahman MZ, Alam MJ, Bhattacharjee A, Riyaz MAR, Wali FB, Shawon II, … Al-Forkan M.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University Journal, 18(3), e80619
Conference abstracts
- Association of PIK3CA, PTEN and ETS-1 genes with colorectal cancer: implications for resistance to anti-EGFR therapyInternational Biotechnology Conference (IBC'25), BRAC University, DhakaJun 2025
- Genetic insights into colorectal cancer recurrence: exploring the impact of APC gene polymorphism and KRAS mutations in Bangladeshi colorectal cancer patientsInternational Biotechnology Conference (IBC'24), University of ChittagongJan 2024
- An in-silico approach for functional annotation and characterization of a putative enzyme from Shigella flexneri 2a (strain 301): a potent antibiotic resistance protein7th International Conference on Natural Science and Technology (ICNST'23), Asian University for WomenMar 2023
04 · Skills
Skills & recognition
Laboratory
Bioinformatics
Data & software
Communication & languages
Awards & scholarships
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's ScholarshipErasmus+ Programme of the European Union2025
- National Science and Technology FellowshipMinistry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh2023
- Government Scholarship (Bachelor level)Ministry of Education, Bangladesh2024
Training & workshops
- CRISPR-Cas9 Gene Editing, 5-day workshopBangladesh Society of Microbiologists2024
- R Programming for Biological ResearchNational Institute of Biotechnology2023
- NGS Data Analysis for Infectious DiseasesSeqBee Bioscience2023
- Writing a Research Paper and Data AnalysisCU Research and Higher Study Society2022
- Biological and Chemical SafetyEsco Biosafety Institute2022
Leadership & outreach
- Deputy Coordinator, Outreach & Public RelationsErasmus Mundus Association – Bangladesh2026 –
- Staff Writer, cancer awarenessCancer Care and Research Trust, Bangladesh. Articles for CCRT,B Social and a community awareness booklet2021 – 2025
- Assistant Vice President (Planning)Network of Young Biotechnologists of Bangladesh2020 – 2023
- Assistant Administration SecretaryChittagong University Scientific Society2022
- Editorial Team, Conference ProceedingsInternational Biotechnology Conference (IBC'24)2024
- Volunteer1st National Conference on Cancer Research (NCCR'22)2022
- InvigilatorBangladesh Biology Olympiad2019 – 2023
05 · Blog
Notes & stories
Writing on cancer science, research life, and studying across Europe.
06 · Photography
Through my lens
Places, people and small moments from Bangladesh, Sweden, Estonia and beyond.
More on Instagram @azizur.riyaz
07 · Contact
Let's connect
I'm always happy to hear from researchers, clinicians and fellow students interested in cancer biology, molecular diagnostics or translational medicine, and I'm open to Master's thesis opportunities.