Dr. Abdullah Mohammad Shohael is a distinguished Plant Biotechnologist, Educator, and Translational Scientist. He currently serves as a Professor in the Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering at Jahangirnagar University in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application, Dr. Shohael is the Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of PCell Bio Inc., a biotech startup where he drives technological strategy and innovation to translate scientific discoveries into commercial solutions.

Research Focus and Impact Dr. Shohael’s research addresses critical agricultural challenges in vulnerable regions. As a Visiting Research Fellow at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) (2022–2023), he worked within the Rice Genetic Design and Validation Unit. His pivotal work includes

• Drought Tolerance: Collaborating with New York University (NYU) to validate candidate genes and evaluate transgenic rice plants under severe drought conditions.

• Food Safety: Developing arsenic-safe rice varieties via genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9) to reduce arsenic accumulation in grains without compromising yield, specifically tailored for farmers in Bangladesh.

Global Academic Journey Dr. Shohael holds a Ph.D. in Agricultural/Plant Biotechnology from Chungbuk National University, South Korea (2006). His expertise is bolstered by extensive international postdoctoral experience:

• USA: As a Research Associate at the University of Florida (2009–2011), he cloned pathogen-related genes to develop citrus plants resistant to HLB and canker.

• Japan: Through a JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship at Tsukuba University (2007–2009), he successfully cloned the miraculin gene from miracle fruits to produce taste-modifying proteins in lettuce.

Scholarly Contributions and Leadership An active academic leader, Dr. Shohael mentors students and develops curricula to foster innovation in biotechnology. He is a prolific author with recent publications in 2024 and 2025 covering plant molecular farming, biofortification, and public perspectives on genetically engineered crops.

He maintains active memberships in prestigious organizations, including the American Society for Microbiology, the American Society of Plant Biologists, and the International Society for Biosafety Research. Through his dual roles in academia and PCell Bio Inc., Dr. Shohael continues to advance the frontiers of plant biotechnology, ensuring that scientific progress translates into sustainable solutions for a changing world.