Dr. Senjuti Saha is the Deputy Executive Director at the Child Health Research Foundation (CHRF), Bangladesh, where she leads transformative research on preventable infectious diseases. She holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics from the University of Toronto, Canada and completed postdoctoral training at the Hospital for Sick Children and Stanford University, USA. In 2016, Dr. Saha returned to Bangladesh to work on the frontlines of public health and establish a state-of-the-art genomics center. Her groundbreaking work has advanced genomic epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research, with notable contributions to understanding resistance patterns in typhoid, paratyphoid, and Klebsiella infections. She was the first to identify the presence of chikungunya virus in the cerebrospinal fluid of children with meningitis and led the sequencing of Bangladesh’s first SARS-CoV-2 genome. Currently, Dr. Saha directs multiple comprehensive studies, including projects on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, Single-Cell Genomics, and Genomics for tackling AMR. Her research not only addresses the needs of low-resource settings but also informs global health strategies. Dr. Saha serves on several high-profile global advisory committees, including the WHO Product Development for Vaccines Advisory Committee, the WHO SARS-CoV-2 Technical Advisory Group on Viral Evolution, the WHO Technical Advisory Group on Salmonella Vaccines and the Polio Transition Independent Monitoring Board. She has over 70 peer-reviewed publications and serves on the editorial boards of several international journals. Her achievements have earned her widespread recognition: she was named one of the 100 “best and brightest” scientists of Asia by Asian Scientist in 2023 and highlighted by The Lancet as one of the top 10 researchers globally in 2022. Dr. Saha is also a recipient of a Webby Award for “Infectious Disease Detectives” in collaboration with the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative in 2020. Dr. Saha's contributions extend beyond research. She leads the national initiative “Building Scientists for Bangladesh,” which fosters equitable access to science education and opportunities. Her vision is rooted in advancing health and research equity, ensuring that scientific knowledge and its benefits are accessible to all. She embodies the principle of “science by and for the many, not the few.”
Bangamata Begum Fazilatunnesa Mujib Padak. Bangladesh’s highest civilian award for women
Amra Ekattor Award
Recognition as one of the 100 “best and brightest” scientists of Asia. Asian Scientist
Ananya Top 10, Bangladesh
Luna Shamsuddoha Awar. Celebrating Women @Work, Bangladesh
Joyee Award. Best female researcher category, Bangladesh
SOS Children’s Villages Bangladesh Community Champion Award
Highlighted by The Lancet as one of the top 10 researchers worldwide
Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bangladesh
Women of Inspiration Award, Junior Chamber International, Bangladesh
Gates’ Hero, 2020, for battling health inequity, Gates Notes
Webby Award for Infectious Disease Detectives (with Chan Zuckerberg Initiative). Honoring the best of the internet. People’s choice award.
Bill and Melinda Gates Goalkeeper of Sustainable Development Goals
Sabin Vaccine Institute Travel Award, 11th International Conference on Typhoid and Other Invasive Salmonelloses.
Bill and Melinda Gates Fellowship for Scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries, International Pathogenic Neisseria Conference
Bill and Melinda Gates Fellowship for Scientists from Low- and Middle-Income Countries, American Society of Microbiology MICROBE
Bill and Melinda Gates Fellowship, International Symposium on Pneumococci & Pneumococcal Disease
Travel Fellowship, 10th World Congress of the World Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Postdoctoral Travel Award, American Society of Microbiology, MICROBE
Sabin Vaccine Institute Travel Grant, International Conference on Typhoid and Other Invasive Salmonelloses
First Runner up, University of Toronto Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition
Canada Institutes of Health Research Doctoral Award (CAD$ 35,000/year)
Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Canada (CAD$ 30,000/year)
University of Toronto Open Fellowship Research Award, University of Toronto, Canada (CAD$ 11,000/year)
Dean’s List in recognition of academic excellence (3 consecutive years), University of Toronto, Canada
Scholar Award. University of Toronto, Canada. (CAD$ 5,000)
New College Admission Scholarship. University of Toronto, Canada. (CAD$ 3,000)