Mamunur Rashid is a researcher in Agricultural Sciences with hands-on experience in plant breeding and molecular biology. He is currently pursuing his Doctoral degree in the Department of Plant Breeding at Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany,  with a focus on genome editing in faba bean.

As part of his PhD training, he completed a three-month visiting research stay at the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI), The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, where he worked under the supervision of Dr. Karen Massel. During this period, he gained practical experience in CRISPR-Cas genome editing, cloning workflows, tissue culture, and transformation techniques in legume crops.

Before starting his PhD, Mamunur completed the Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Program in Plant Breeding, majoring in Biology, at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden, and the University of Helsinki (UH), Finland. He also completed a year-long research internship at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ) in Cologne, Germany. In addition, he holds a Master’s degree in Genetics and Plant Breeding and a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture from Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh, Bangladesh. Following his studies in Bangladesh, he served as a Senior Vegetable Breeder at the BRAC Agricultural Research and Development Centre in Gazipur, Dhaka.

Mamunur’s research interests lie in developing innovative plant breeding strategies, including genome editing, to improve the resilience, productivity, and sustainability of agricultural systems. He is particularly motivated to breed climate-smart and resource-efficient crops capable of addressing current and emerging global challenges.

PhD in Plant Breeding

2023 - Present 

Department of Plant Breeding

Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany.

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's in Plant Breeding

2019 - 2021

Major: Plant Biology 

Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.

University of Helsinki (UH), Finland.

Master of Science (MS) in Genetics and Plant Breeding

2015 - 2016

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh.

Bachelor of Science in Agriculture (Hons.)

2011 - 2014

Faculty of Agriculture

Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh.

Doctoral Researcher

Department of Plant Breeding

Justus Liebig University (JLU), Giessen, Germany.

(April 03, 2023 – Present)

Project:  Gene editing strategies for creation of novel genetic diversity for faba bean breeding

Responsibilities:

Focusing on the optimization of tissue culture and genetic transformation protocols for Vicia faba (faba bean). Applying CRISPR-Cas genome editing techniques to eliminate anti-nutritional compounds (vicine and convicine) and to remove black hilum color from faba bean seeds. The goal is to develop improved genetic resources to support future faba bean breeding programs.

Visiting Research Student

The Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

The University of Queensland (UQ), St Lucia, Australia.

(September 01, 2025 – November 28, 2025)

Project:  CRISPR-Cas genome editing training and transformation technologies in legumes

Responsibilities:

Focused on advanced CRISPR-Cas genome editing approaches and gained hands-on experience in cloning, tissue culture, and both transient and stable transformation techniques for legume crops. Applied and optimized various transformation methods tailored for leguminous species, contributing to the development of efficient gene-editing and transformation systems at UQ. Participated in collaborative research and training activities within QAAFI and the IRTG 2843 program during the research exchange.

Intern

Department of Plant Developmental Biology

Angela Hancock Research Group

Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research (MPIPZ), Cologne, Germany

(May 02, 2022 – March 31, 2023)

Responsibilities:

Worked on assessing variation in mineral element transport across natural populations and mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana. Contributed to experiments involving phenotypic screening and molecular analysis to investigate local adaptation mechanisms. Supported data collection, analysis, and interpretation of mineral uptake traits, integrating both wild-type and mutant lines under controlled conditions.

Technical Assistant

HiLIFE-Helsinki Institute of LIFE Science

University of Helsinki (UH), Finland

(August 23, 2021 – December 31, 2021)

Project:  BARISTA (Advanced tools for breeding BARley for Intensive and SusTainable Agriculture under climate change scenarios)

Responsibilities:

Contributed to field-based phenotyping and data collection as part of a multidisciplinary team focused on barley breeding under climate change conditions. Supported ongoing experiments by assisting with field trial setup, plant trait measurements, and recording environmental data to assess genotype performance. Played a key role in ensuring accurate and reliable phenotypic data for further genetic and agronomic analysis.

Research Assistant

Department of Agricultural Sciences

University of Helsinki (UH), Finland

(August 03, 2020 – April 30, 2021)

Responsibilities:

As part of my Master’s thesis project, I conducted molecular and biochemical research involving PCR, Gateway cloning, and bacterial colony culture. I was responsible for plasmid DNA construction, preparation of expression clones, and Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. My work also included next-generation sequencing (NGS), genome sequence analysis, protein extraction, western blotting, and profiling of plant secondary metabolites using HPLC.

Senior Officer, Vegetable Seed Research

BRAC Agricultural Research and Development Centre

CERDI Road, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

(January 01, 2018 – July 25, 2019)

Responsibilities:

As a Vegetable Breeder, I developed and improved hybrid vegetable parental lines through hybridization, pedigree selection, and backcrossing techniques. I created cross combinations targeting high yield and climate resilience, screened exotic genotypes, and evaluated hybrids for yield, earliness, and farmer-preferred traits. I led OYT, AYT, and MLT trials, maintained genetic purity of released lines, conducted grow-out tests, and supervised junior researchers. My responsibilities also included research planning, data analysis, and reporting to senior management.

Office Secretary

Technology Transfer Office

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh

(August 04, 2016 – June 30, 2017)

Project Title: Establishment of Technology Transfer Office at Bangladesh Agricultural University

Responsibilities:

 I was responsible for supporting administrative and managerial processes, including setting up work procedures, overseeing daily operations, and maintaining official records. I played a key role in organizing meetings, workshops, seminars, and training programs, while also assisting in budgeting tasks such as preparation, calculation, and execution. My role required effective coordination, documentation, and communication to ensure smooth project implementation.

Research Assistant

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding

Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

(May 03, 2015 – June 30, 2016)

Project Title: Resistant Breeding for Salinity Stress Tolerance in Rice

Responsibilities:

Implemented research projects by sConducted hydroponic culture and greenhouse trials to screen rice landraces for salinity tolerance at both seedling and reproductive stages. Applied marker-assisted selection and evaluated advanced breeding lines. Responsible for data collection, statistical validation, result interpretation, and contributing to research reporting for salinity tolerance breeding.etting up experiments and monitoring daily field activities. Conducted hybridization, molecular analysis, and evaluation of advanced breeding lines. Collected and analyzed research data, prepared reports, and contributed to scientific publications. 

• 2021: Training on Advanced Genotyping, Tuscia University, Italy.

• 2021: High Throughput Plant Phenotyping, Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway.

• 2021: Statistical Package for Postgraduates in Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

• 2021: Bioinformatics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden.

• 2020: Introduction to Programming in R for Biologist, Center for Bioinformatics Learning Advancement and Systematics Training (cBLAST), University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

• 2020: Plant Bioinformatics, University of Toronto, Canada.

• 2020: Introduction to the UPOV System of Plant Variety Protection under the UPOV Convention, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Geneva, Switzerland.

• 2020: The Sustainable Development Goals - A global, transdisciplinary vision for the future, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.

• 2017: Training on Pesticide Application Technology, Graduate Training Institute (GTI), BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

• 2015: Basics of MS Office, Graduate Training Institute (GTI), BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

• 2015: Statistical Analysis of Agricultural Research Data (SAARD), Department of Medicine, BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

• 2014: Extension Field Trip, Department of Agricultural Extension Education, BAU, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (emPLANT), 2019-2021, offered by the European Union (EU).

• National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship-2015, offered by Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

• Tergemina E, Neto C, Rashid MM, Dinis H, Salt DE, & Hancock AM. 2016. Convergent evolution increases boron transport through SNPs and tandem duplications at BOR1 and BOR2 in Arabidopsis thaliana, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 123 (13) e2525676123, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2525676123

• Rashid MM, P. Paridhi, SA Mandava, et al. 2026. An Optimised Protocol for Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) Tissue Culture and Transformation. Legume Science 8, no. 1: e70074. https://doi.org/10.1002/leg3.70074 

• Khanam M, Kabiraj MS, Rashid MM, Raffi SA. 2021. Evaluation of genetic variability and trait association for yield improvement of Lentil. Progressive Agriculture. 32 (2): 107-116. 

• Kabiraj MS, Rashid MM, Anwar MP, Hossain MD. 2020. Performance of Boro rice cv. BRRI dhan28 as influenced by different plant establishment methods and weeding regimes. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 18(4): 934–940. https://doi.org/10.5455/JBAU.129791

• Rashid MM, Imran S, Islam MA, Hassan L. 2018. Genetic diversity analysis of rice landraces (Oryza sativa L.) for salt tolerance using SSR markers in Bangladesh. Fundam Appl Agric. 3(2): 460–466. doi: 10.5455/faa.298103. http://dx.doi.org/10.5455/faa.298103

• Ferdoush A, Haque MA, Rashid MM, Bari MAA. 2017. Variability and traits association in maize (Zea mays L.) for yield and yield associated characters. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(2): 193-198.  https://doi.org/10.3329/jbau.v15i2.35062

• Rashid MM, Nuruzzaman M, Hassan L, Begum SN. 2017. Genetic variability analysis for various yield attributing traits in rice genotypes. J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 15(1): 15-19.

• Rashid MM, Hassan L, Das B, Begum SN. 2017. Correlation and path coefficient analysis of yield and yield contributing traits in rice. Int. J. Sustain. Crop Prod. 12(2): 1-6.

• Rashid MM, Hassan L, Begum SN. 2017. Phenotypic performance of rice landraces under salinity stress in reproductive stage. Progressive Agriculture. 28(1): 1-6. doi: 10.3329/pa.v28i1.32850

• Rashid MM, Ferdoush A, Hassan L, Begum SN. 2017. Genetic analysis and agronomic performance of local rice genotypes under salinity stress. Fundam Appl Agric. 2(2): 243-246.

• 11th International Conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics (ICLGG)

Brisbane, Australia.
September 30 – October 3, 2024
Presented a poster on "Optimization of tissue culture and genetic transformation protocol for faba bean (Vicia faba L.)".

Honored with the ICLGG Engagement Competition Award.

• German Plant Breeding Society (GPZ)

• Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA)

• Plant Breeding and Genetics Society of Bangladesh (PBGSB)

• Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB)