CFD Team Spotlight: Rashmina Sayeeda, Research Associate
The Newsletter Team sat down with one of our research associates, Rashmina Sayeeda, for an interview about her work, passions, hobbies, and special CFD projects. The transcript of our interview is below.
CFD Team: Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m from Albany, NY –home to the biggest Walmart in the U.S. (admittedly, not the most exciting tidbit). I moved to Boston for undergrad where I studied Neuroscience here at BU.
CFD Team: What is your role within the Center?
I’m a Research Fellow both at CFD and the Zaman lab in the College of Engineering. Some of my projects and research interests include evaluating ethical research practices in infectious disease research in displaced populations, assessing disabilities and migration, and exploring how antibiotic exposure impacts the gut microbiome in displaced individuals.
CFD Team: What experiences most directly led you to your role with the Center?
I actually first came across the Zaman lab as an undergrad looking for diverse research opportunities. I had done prior research at BU, and I was on a mission to identify the questions that really sparked my curiosity. I have always been committed to prioritizing impact and underserved populations at the forefront of my work, and I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to combine this with a blend of foundational science, global health, and social sciences at CFD.
CFD Team: Tell us about some of your passions and hobbies outside of academia. What makes you, you?
I grew up standing beside my mom in the kitchen, eager to stir the pot or for the chance to taste for salt. Each Bangladeshi dish carries its own set of techniques, story, and tradition. The kitchen is my family’s favorite place to catch up on life’s happenings and reminisce. My older brother and I jokingly talk about opening our own Bangladeshi restaurant one day, envisioning our menu items and picking a restaurant name. Cooking for and with my loved ones is my favorite weekend activity though, unlike my mom, I’m not quite as hands-off in the kitchen.
CFD Team: Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to be continuing my contributions to CFD as a PhD student at BU. I have been so fortunate to be involved with CFD during and after undergrad and I hope to continue my projects and initiate new ones through the lens of being a graduate student.
CFD Team: What drew you to this position?
My hometown has several non-profit organizations dedicated to serving refugee populations, helping with resettlement in various ways. During COVID, I volunteered with NY4Syrians and remotely tutored middle school students in school subjects. Many barriers, particularly technological ones, were exacerbated by the pandemic and made virtual school even more challenging for recently resettled students. I was left to communicate with parents in Arabic using Google Translate. Beyond volunteering, I have been involved in organizing efforts during the influx of Afghan refugees in August 2021, helping coordinate drives for clothing and necessities through my local mosque as thousands of refugees arrived in upstate New York.
When I came to BU and found the Zaman lab and CFD, I was excited to contribute to research on displaced populations and refugees after my previous hometown efforts. While I enjoy conducting research behind the screen, I hope to re-engage with local communities in the greater Boston area.
CFD Team: What continues to draw you to the position?
Collaboration and engagement. This past December, I had the privilege to help organize a workshop in Kampala, Uganda where researchers and other stakeholders who work directly with displaced populations gathered to openly discuss challenges they face around the world. Travel was certainly a perk, but having the space to sit down and connect with individuals whose values and research interests align with those of our team was so enriching and cup-filling.
This kind of engagement is not restricted to being halfway across the globe. During the CFD Open House this past fall, the entire team and I were able to connect with students and faculty interested in learning more about the Center’s mission. Hearing their stories and personal motivations behind what drew them to CFD was heartwarming. CFD provides a space for critical reflection and meaningful dialogue –practices that not only enhance research but also shape us into more thoughtful individuals.