Nadia Tasnim Ahmed, a Bangladeshi student at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), has achieved a groundbreaking milestone as the first individual in the United States to earn a PhD in pharmaceutical engineering. This historic accomplishment comes as VCU celebrates the graduation of its inaugural class from the nation’s first pharmaceutical engineering PhD program, established in 2020.
Nadia’s academic journey began in Bangladesh, where she earned a master’s degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from Dhaka University. She later moved to the US to complete a second master’s degree in pharmaceutical nanotechnology at the University of South Florida, paving the way for her entry into VCU’s trailblazing program.
Reflecting on her experience, Nadia shared:
“When I discovered that this was the first and only program of its kind in the country, I knew I had to be part of it. Developing as a researcher while witnessing the program’s growth has been an incredible experience.”
Currently, Nadia works full-time as an Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) fellow with the US Food and Drug Administration. She aims to continue her career as an analytical scientist in the pharmaceutical industry.
Nadia’s advisor, Dr. Adam Hawkridge, praised her exceptional qualities, stating, “Nadia embodies everything you hope to see in a graduate student: curiosity, persistence, independence, and fearlessness.”
Nadia’s achievement not only marks a personal milestone but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring scientists worldwide.