Our Team
Mohammad Azaz is a Bangladeshi researcher and an activist working on various crucial areas including water, river, environmental, and climate justice issues raised by fishermen, farmers, riverside, women, and communities facing anthropogenic and climate injustice in GBM basin areas. He is the chairman of the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). Mr. Azaz is leading a research project, namely #DhakaRivers. This is a baseline survey of the rivers of the Dhaka Division. After completing his MBA and MDS he started his career as a university faculty member in 2004. After ten years of teaching, Azaz now focuses his contribution on the conservation of natural resources and water bodies. He has been actively participating in activism as a director of Riverine People from 2014 to 2020. Azaz is the executive vice president of the United River Alliance (URA), an alliance of 50 plus river-based conservation-related civil society organizations working in Bangladesh. This platform is formulated for advocacy, negotiations, anti-encroachment and community-led ownership for sustainable development. Azaz is also the principal advisor of the GBM-based Peoples Network that works for the rights of the basin people in Ganga Brahmaputra Meghna River basin areas. Under that banner, Azaz is training the CSOs and supports various regional and national transboundary river-related policy dialogues, events, seminars, and demonstrations. Mohammad Azaz has been a part of numerous teams and panels that work on initiating and formulating various regional and national policies and enactments, including those related to river, water and wetland, research and conservation. Mohammad Azaz hosts a monthly one-hour online talk show (Dialogue with Mohammad Azaz).
Efadul Huq is Assistant Professor in the Environmental Science & Policy Program at Smith College. He pursued his PhD in Regional Planning from the Dept. of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research explores the relationships between wetlands, livelihoods, and planning for urban resilience in the global South. In his free time, Huq enjoys reading and writing poetry and fiction.
Tanjinul Hoque Mollah
Tanjinul Hoque Mollah is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka. Mollah achieved his PhD from the Department of Regional Sciences, Graduate School of Letters, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. He has long been involved in various social research in the field of rural studies using GCM, PSDM GIS, Remote Sensing and statistical tools. His work also covers river system and river morphology, land use modeling, threatened species distribution modeling, and global climate modeling.
Mahbubur Rahman is Research Associate in River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). He completed his graduation (BSc) in Fisheries and post-graduation (MSc) in Aquaculture from Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU). Currently he is working as a key member in several projects under RDRC. Recently he worked as field coordinator in 'Household and Livelihood Survey of Fisheries Communities in Turag River' project jointly by Smith College, North Hampton, MA, USA and RDRC. He got NST (National Science and Technology) Fellowship 2020-2021 from Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Bangladesh for MSc thesis and conducted research on macrobenthos in Sangu River estuary, Bangladesh. This work along with several other research works of him got published on national and international journals and magazines.
Shuvashish Das Shuvo is a dedicated environmental science professional and currently serves as the Manager of Environmental Justice at the River & Delta Research Centre (RDRC). His role focuses on advancing environmental sustainability and justice, particularly in the context of river and delta ecosystems. Shuvashish also coordinates the Re-WET consortium, contributing to research and initiatives that promote sustainable water management and environmental equity. With a strong background in data interpretation, geographic information systems (GIS), and environmental impact assessments, Shuvashish brings a robust interdisciplinary approach to his work. He holds a B.Sc. and is pursuing an M.Sc. in Environmental Science from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, with research focused on the distribution of toxic elements in river ecosystems. His expertise in data analysis, technical reporting, and fieldwork has been recognized through various roles, including with the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA). Fluent in both Bangla and English, Shuvashish is passionate about using research to drive actionable solutions for environmental challenges, with a focus on climate change, public health, and sustainable development.
MD Khalid Asaf Prottoy is an experienced cinematographer and filmmaker with a passion for nature and community-based storytelling. With a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, he has worked extensively as a freelance cinematographer and multimedia manager at the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). His experience spans various high-profile roles, including Senior Cinematographer at Checkmate Events & Raptors, where he managed video production for award functions like The Daily Star OTT & Digital Content Awards and Chorki Carnival Award. He has also contributed significantly to projects such as Coke Studio Bangla Season 03 and numerous music videos, showcasing his expertise in directing, shooting, and editing. Skilled in Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, and other editing tools, Khalid is known for his creative eye, technical skills, and ability to deliver compelling visual narratives.
Khalid Saifullah is an Environmental Science professional currently working as a Research Assistant at the River and Delta Research Centre (RDRC). He holds both a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP). His experience includes fieldwork, data analysis, and project support, with a focus on climate change adaptation and environmental migration. Khalid has conducted research using tools like SPSS and ArcGIS, particularly in areas like riverbank erosion and agricultural adaptation. In addition to his research experience, Khalid received the National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship (2022-2023). He is skilled in data analysis, GIS, and remote sensing, with experience in tools like MS Excel, SPSS, Kobo, ArcGIS, and ENVI. Khalid has participated in various field studies, including pollution monitoring and coastal and mangrove ecosystem research. He has also held a leadership role in the Environm
Humayun Kabir Kazal is a seasoned professional with over 23 years of experience in the publication sector, primarily serving as an Assistant Publication Officer at the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS). His expertise includes proofreading, fact-checking, document formatting, and coordinating the publication process to ensure high-quality and error-free outputs. Humayun is recognized for his leadership skills, positive attitude, and dedication to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. His academic background includes a Bachelor of Arts from Dhaka University, complemented by his proficiency in both Bengali and English. Throughout his career, he has been deeply involved in all aspects of publication management, from content review to liaising with printing presses and preparing comparative statements for the Tender Evaluation Committee. Known for his strong work ethic and commitment to continuous learning, Humayun has made significant contributions to the field of publishing, ensuring the timely delivery of impactful publications that reflect organizational excellence.
MD. Shafiqul Islam is an experienced professional with a strong background in administration, accounting, and monitoring and evaluation. Currently serving as a Monitoring & Evaluation Expert at the River & Delta Research Centre (RDRC) since August 2024, Shafiqul brings a wealth of expertise in assessing project impacts and implementing strategic improvements. Previously, he worked with the Coalition for the Urban Poor (CUP) in various roles, including Accountant, Admin & HR Officer, and Admin & Accounts Assistant. His tenure at CUP honed his skills in financial management, human resources, and administrative operations, contributing significantly to the organization’s efficiency. Shafiqul holds a Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of Dhaka, where he also completed his Bachelor’s degree with honors. His academic research focused on mental health and job satisfaction, reflecting his deep interest in understanding human behavior and organizational dynamics. Proficient in Microsoft Office, SPSS, and Tally software, Shafiqul is known for his adaptability, strong communication skills, and ability to work effectively under pressure. His dedication and diverse experience make him a valuable asset to any organization.