From Bangladesh to Canada: Meet Postdoctoral Fellow Farhan Chowdhury

When Farhan Chowdhury finished his PhD he knew he wanted to continue his research in a supportive and collaborative environment.

When he visited the Temerty Faculty of Medicine he found a community that felt right.

At a Glance

• Bangladesh to Canada
• Research: Antibiotic production and resistance
• Wanted: Collaborative and supportive environment
• Needed: Opportunities for growth

With the recent expansion of postdoctoral funding initiatives, such as the Temerty Faculty of Medicine Postdoctoral Pathway Fellowship and the Research Excellence Postdoctoral Fellows program, it’s an exciting time for emerging scientists like Farhan Chowdhury. Chowdhury, one of six Pathway Fellowship recipients, recently began his postdoctoral research at Temerty Medicine under the supervision of Justin Nodwell, professor of biochemistry and vice dean, research and health science education.

Writer Sarah McMahon spoke with Chowdhury to talk about his experiences, surprises and moments of growth as a postdoctoral researcher.

Why he Chose Temerty Medicine

You moved to Canada from Bangladesh to complete your PhD. What motivated you to choose Temerty Medicine for your postdoctoral research?

I was drawn to Temerty Medicine because of the collaborative environment and comprehensive infrastructure. Before accepting the position, I met with Dr. Nodwell and several lab members and toured the lab spaces and core facilities at the university.

I saw the interdisciplinary nature of the research and lab spaces and witnessed extensive collaboration among and between departments.

During my visit, the lab members were very welcoming and were excited at the prospect of me joining the lab. Combined with access to cutting-edge equipment, it was clear that this is a place where I could grow.

Joining Temerty Medicine felt both exciting and reassuring, like I was stepping into a community that would both challenge and support me.

From PhD to Postdoc: Expanding his Research

How has your postdoctoral experience differed from your PhD training?

I studied evolutionary microbiology and antibiotic resistance during my PhD.

In my postdoctoral work, I’m learning to produce and purify antibiotics using analytical chemistry. My postdoctoral research feels like a natural extension of my PhD work, but from a different angle.

My PhD focused on how bacteria evolve resistance whereas my postdoc work focuses on the molecules themselves: how antibiotics are produced, purified, and characterized. The combination of evolutionary microbiology and analytical chemistry allows me to think about antibiotics across their full lifecycle, from discovery and production to resistance.

This shift has pushed me to approach research problems more holistically.

Reflecting on his Growth

In what ways have you grown as an independent researcher during this time?

In just a few months, I have gained hands-on expertise in analytical techniques such as chromatography and mass spectrometry. I have also been given freedom to explore new research directions and encouraged to collaborate.

One surprise for me has been realizing how essential collaboration is for doing good science at the postdoc level.

Can you tell me about any mentorship opportunities you’ve had so far?

I've connected with researchers across different career stages, including those transitioning to professorships. These interactions are great for asking questions and helping me take concrete steps towards my own career goals.

For example, my mentors are teaching me how to think strategically about building a research program and how to navigate the academic research funding landscape.

These interactions are showing me the value of seeking mentorship early and continuously throughout my postdoctoral experience.

Junior researchers often seek direction and guidance from postdoctoral fellows. What’s it like being a someone else’s mentor?

Mentoring junior researchers and helping them develop new research projects is improving my leadership skills. I’m learning to see projects through other people’s eyes and to communicate more clearly and patiently.

I’m also reminded of how much I’ve learned because questions from trainees often highlight skills or instincts that I now take for granted.

It’s rewarding to be the person others turn to for guidance and it has reinforced my desire to pursue a career where mentoring is a central part of my work.

Advice for Future Trainees

What advice would you give someone considering a postdoctoral fellowship?

Postdoctoral training is a great investment because it gives you room to grow technically, intellectually and as a leader.

It can prepare you for academia by expanding your independence as a researcher, or it can set you up with specialized technical skills that are highly valued in industry.

My advice for anyone looking for a postdoctoral fellowship is to find a lab where you can both contribute and learn. You want to find an environment where you are challenged and supported.

Speak with the PI and lab members to understand the culture. Finding the right mentor and the right lab can make all the difference.

Key Takeaway

As Farhan’s experience shows, choosing the right research environment is about more than the topic of study. It’s also about people, collaboration and support.