Curriculum Vitae

Nafiul Huda

Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Biological Sciences
Auburn University · Auburn, AL 36849, USA
nafiul@auburn.edu · LinkedIn · GitHub · Google Scholar · ResearchGate

Education

Degree Institution Year
Ph.D. in Biological Sciences (All but defense) Auburn University, Auburn, AL 2017–Present (Expected Summer 2026)
M.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2015–2017
B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh 2011–2015

Ph.D. Thesis: “Sex differences in the effects of hormone signaling & endocrine disruptors in Drosophila melanogaster”
Supervisor: Dr. Rita M Graze

Research Experience

Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
2017 – Present · Supervisor: Dr. Rita M Graze

  • Quantitative genetics of sexually dimorphic traits, molecular genetics, and regulation of hormone signaling in Drosophila melanogaster
  • Addressing fundamental questions regarding sex differences in insulin/insulin-like signaling (IIS) and gene expression using RNA-seq transcriptomics
  • Developed reproducible computational pipelines documented on GitHub
  • Investigated 4 major dissertation projects examining switch-vs-dial mechanisms of IIS, genotype-by-sex effects, genotype-by-environment interactions, and alternative splicing contributions to sex-differential gene expression

Graduate Research Assistant
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka
2016–2017

  • Investigated the association between genetic variation of the transcription factor GATA3 and risk of type 2 diabetes in the Bangladeshi population
  • Applied conventional PCR, allele-specific PCR, and bioinformatics tools for SNP association analysis

Teaching Experience

Graduate Teaching Assistant
Department of Biological Sciences, Auburn University
2018 – Present

  • BIOL 1031 — Organismal Biology Laboratory
  • BIOL 1021 — Principles of Biology
  • Lead pre-lab discussions, guide students through experimental design, data collection, and interpretation
  • Location: 125 Rouse Life Sciences Building

Co-Instructor
BIOL 5521 — Recombinant DNA Technology
Auburn University · Co-taught with Dr. Rita M Graze

  • Graduate-level course covering principles and techniques of recombinant DNA technology
  • Topics include cloning strategies, PCR, gene expression systems, genomic libraries, sequencing, and CRISPR-based approaches
  • Contributed to lecture preparation, laboratory instruction, and student assessment

Mentoring

Research Mentor
Graze Lab, Auburn University
2017 – Present

  • Mentored undergraduate research assistants in developing small independent research projects
  • Taught advanced molecular biology techniques and working with the Drosophila model system
  • Helped students develop critical thinking skills and conduct independent research

Skills

Molecular Biology
Genomic DNA/mtDNA extraction, RNA extraction, Plasmid DNA extraction, DNA purification and gel extraction, Gel electrophoresis, Native PAGE, SDS-PAGE, RFLP, RAPD, Immunoblotting, Targeted DNA sequencing
Gene Expression Analysis
qPCR, RNA-sequencing, DESeq2, LRT analysis
Functional Genomics
Site-directed mutagenesis, Bacterial culture, Cloning, Transfection
Bioinformatics
Primer design, RNA sequence analysis, Genetic/SNP association analysis, Gene expression analysis, WGCNA, rMATS-turbo, CMM analysis, K-means clustering, Pathway enrichment
Computational & Statistical
R, Python, SPSS, LaTeX, GraphPad Prism, Git/GitHub, Linux/Unix
Model Organism
Hands-on experience in media preparation and stock maintenance of various species of Drosophila
Communication & Outreach
Science communication, undergraduate instruction, photography

Publications

See the Publications page for a full list.

Peer-Reviewed:

  1. Huda, N., Hosen, I., Yasmin, T., Sarkar, P.K., Hasan, A.K.M.M., & Nabi, A.H.M.N. (2018). Genetic variation of the transcription factor GATA3, not STAT4, is associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in the Bangladeshi population. PLoS ONE, 13(7), e0198507. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198507

  2. Huda, N., Yasmin, T., & Nabi, A.H.M.N. (2021). MNS16A VNTR polymorphism of human telomerase gene: Elucidation of a gender specific potential allele associated with type 2 diabetes in Bangladeshi population. Journal of Diabetes and Its Complications, 35(10), 108018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.108018

  3. Goswami, A., Huda, N., Yasmin, T., Hosen, M.I., Hasan, A.K.M.M., & Nabi, A.H.M.N. (2021). Association study of leukocyte telomere length and genetic polymorphism within hTERT promoter with type 2 diabetes in Bangladeshi population. Molecular Biology Reports. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-020-06045-7

Presentations & Conferences

Poster Presentations:

  • Huda, N., Graze, R.M. “The role of insulin signaling in sex differences in gene expression.” 64th Annual Drosophila Research Conference (2023).
  • Huda, N., Washburn, R.C., Williams S.L., Graze, R.M. “Sex differences in the effects of insulin signaling on food consumption in adult Drosophila melanogaster.” 62nd Annual Drosophila Research Conference (2021).
  • Huda, N., Graze, R.M. “The contribution of ecdysone signaling to sex differential gene expression in adult Drosophila melanogaster.” 45th Annual SEPEEG (2019).

Professional Affiliations

  • Genetics Society of America (GSA), 2018–Present
  • Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution (SMBE), 2020–Present

Awards & Honors

  • [Add fellowships, scholarships, travel awards, etc.]

Last updated: 2026