In a new series, the UAB Comprehensive Diabetes Center (UCDC), a leader in the field of diabetes research, will highlight its dynamic faculty and trainees.

The UCDC has members from across several schools and departments at UAB. Diabetes research capabilities are made stronger by the diverse research focuses and innovations that members bring to the table. To better understand these research capabilities and discoveries, we will spotlight UCDC researchers throughout the year.

This month, we are spotlighting Mostafizur Rahman, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the Bhatnagar Lab.

Tell us a little bit about you and your role at the UCDC.
"I am Mostafizur Rahman, and I work as a postdoc at Sushant Bhatnagar Lab. After completing my PhD in Medical Science at Kumamoto University, Japan, I relocated to U.S. to start my postdoc research to study the complex biology of hormone secreting pancreatic endocrine cells, especially in context of obesity and Type 2 diabetes."

What first got you interested in diabetes research?
"After completing my MS degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, I started my research career with microbes, specifically focusing on how infectious microbes are getting resistance to multiple antibiotics.

After few years, I turned my research focus from communicable to non-communicable diseases. I focused to investigate the genetic and biochemical determinants of cardiovascular disease. During this study, I found that Bangladesh is also facing a continuous growth in the prevalence of diabetes and got first inclination to diabetes research. At that time, fortunately, I got a PhD fellowship offer from Kumamoto university, Japan to study the role of transcription factor HNF1A in pancreatic islet cells metabolism. From there, I am continuing to explore the mystery happening inside the pancreatic islet cells."

Tell us a little bit about your own research through your lab and other collaborations.
"Our lab is focusing on the understanding of insulin secretion mechanism undertaking molecular, genetic, biochemical and bioinformatic approaches. Currently, I am working on several projects. The first, I would like to mention is investigating the role of the Synaptotagmin protein in regulating insulin secretion especially in the SNARE mediated insulin granule exocytosis. I am pleased to mention that we submitted the manuscript to BioxRIV and are under review in peer reviewed journal.

In the second study, our lab is investigating the role of Syntaxin binding protein tomosyn in insulin secretion and whole-body glucose metabolism. In the third study, we are characterizing the role of pancreatic beta cell derived protein C1ql3 (C1q-like 3) in lean and obese mice. In addition, I am generating primary data for grant submission to National Institute of Health (NIH) as a Co-PI that will help me to reach my ultimate career goal in academia. I am also working in active collaboration with other UAB faculties."

What does supporting the UCDC and its mission mean to you?
"The UCDC is playing a vital role to support graduate students, postdocs and faculties serving as the umbrella for various research tools and resources. It organizes meetings and webinars covering a wide range of topics and inviting great scientists within the field from across the nation and around the world. I have seen the UCDC continue to foster cutting-edge research to train future researchers in order to find better treatment options to cure diabetes."

Any hobbies or outside activities that you enjoy?
"I enjoy playing soccer and watching movies when I get free time. During vacation, we like to go outside, especially for my cute toddler, to enjoy beaches, lakes, or mountains."