Shamima Akter

EMAIL: shamima.akter@famu.edu
PHONE: 850-599-8738
OFFICE: Biology

Jones Hall, Rm. #314

Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

BSC 1010L General Bio Lab I

Dr. Shamima Akter is a neuroinflammation biologist whose research explores the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative disorders. Her work integrates neuroinflammation, cellular dysfunction and circadian desynchrony to identify novel therapeutic strategies. She recently joined the Department of Biology at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) as a Research Associate, where she is in the process of expanding her research program.

During her postdoctoral training at the University of South Florida’s Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Center, Dr. Akter demonstrated that LC3-associated endocytosis (LANDO) deficiency contributes to amyloid-beta accumulation, neuroinflammation, tau pathology, and memory decline through necroptotic neurodegeneration. She also investigated circadian disruption in aging and AD, revealing its impact on mitochondrial clearance and tau aggregation, opening new avenues for targeting circadian networks in AD. In her doctoral research at South Asian University, India, she significantly identified a purinergic receptor blockers as potential therapeutic replacements to NSAIDs for chronic neuroinflammation, a pioneer finding that was published in peer-reviewed journal. She has confidently presented her prospective research works of doctoral and postdoctoral projects in major scientific conferences including Society for Neurosciences annual meetings.

Alongside her research, Dr. Akter has extensive teaching and mentoring experience, including seven years as a Lecturer at Udayan College under the University of Dhaka, and continued mentorship of students during her doctoral and postdoctoral training. At FAMU, Dr. Akter is committed to advancing molecular neurobiology and mentoring the next generation of scientists.

Actively contributing to institutional and national advancement through my expertise of research, teaching, and scholarly engagement
Teaching and mentoring students
Traveling and exploring new cultures
Watching thought-provoking films
Spending quality time with family

Ph.D. in Inflammation Biology • 2019
South Asian University, New Delhi, India
M.Sc., Biotechnology • 2013
South Asian University, New Delhi, India
M.Sc., Zoologys • 2006
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
B.Sc., Zoology • 2006
University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Research Associate. 2025 - present.
Dept. of Biology, Florida A & M University (FAMU), Tallahassee, Fl.
Postdoctoral Research Scholar. 2021 – 2025.
Institute of Neuroscience, Byrds Alzheimer’s Research Centre, Dept. of Molecular Medicine. University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
Assistant Professor (Research Faculty). 2019–2022
Center for Advanced Material Research, Zhongyuan University of Technology, Zhengzhou, China.
Lecturer. 2008–2019
Dept. of Zoology, Udayan College, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Research Assistant. 2006-2007
Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.

CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

2023. Society For Neurosciences 2023. Presentation title: “LC3-associated endocytosis plays a critical role in necroptotic neurodegeneration in AD”.
2022. Single-Cell Multiome RNA/ATAC Analysis (10x Genomics), USF Genomics Program.
2022. Advanced Rodent Biomethodology & IACUC Biosafety, USF.
2015. Computational Neurochemistry & Neurobiology, NEHU, India.
2023. Postdoctoral Research Symposium 2023. Presentation title: “The battle against fire to death”. USF
2023. One Health Codeathon@USF 2023: Project title: “Predicting protein-protein interactions and networks using sequence and structural data. USF Genomics Program”.
2016. Neurostereology and Pain Assessment, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Indian Academy of Neurosciences (IAN) National Brain Research Centre (NBRC), India.
2015. Workshop and symposium on Green Science and Technology of Global Young Researchers, Shizuoka University, Japan.

INVITED TALKS ON RESEARCH

2015. Workshop and Symposium on "Green Science and Technology of Global Young Researchers", Shizuoka University, Japan, 2015. Presented "Role of exogenous ATP in modulating inflammation in the brain".
2016. 34th Annual Meeting of Indian Academy of Neurosciences, National Brain Research Center, Manesar, India, 2016. Presented "Exogenous ATP Modulates Inflammatory Activity In immune cells."

PUBLICATIONS

Journals

2025. Akter S*, Heckmann BL*, et al. “Rubicon Controls Necroptotic Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s Disease.” (In progress, Nat. Med. 2025).

Chen, S., Akter S., Mi, L., et al, "Nanotube assembled coral-like ZnS@N, S co-doped carbon: A sodium-ion batteries anode material with outstanding stability and rate performance" App. Sur. Sci., Vol. 535, 147748, ISSN 0169-4332. DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.147748.

2020. Akter S, Sharma RK, et al. “Exogenous ATP Modulates Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) Release in Macrophages Through Sustained Phosphorylation of CDK9 and p38 MAPK", J. Leukoc. Biology. DOI:10.1002/JLB.3A1219- 697RR.
2014. Fiebich BL, Akter S, Akundi RS. “Two- Hit Hypothesis for Neuroinflammation: Role of Exogenous ATP in modulating inflammation in the brain". Front. Cell. Neurosci. 1;8:260. DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2014.00260.
2006. Akter, S., Ahmed, A.T.A., Khaleque, M.A.and Wahed, M.A., "Studies on the performance of turmeric with salt as preservative for curing of lean fishes in laboratory condition", Bangladesh Journal of Zoology, Zoo. Soc. Bang. Vol. 35, Issue: 1, pp 49-60, 2007.

National Encyclopedia

2007. Ataur, A.K.R and Akter S. "Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol. 23. Freshwater Fish" Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka, pp. xxii+ 300, ISBN-13: 9843000002860
2007. Ataur, A.K.R and Akter S. "Encyclopedia of Flora and Fauna of Bangladesh. Vol.24. Marine Fish" Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka. pp 485, ISBN: 984-300-000286-0.

Conference papers (selected)

2023. Akter S. and Heckman B., "LC3 associated endocytosis plays a critical role in necroptotic neurodegeneration in AD", Society for Neurosciences 2023, USA.
2016. Akundi RS. and Akter S., "Exogenous ATP Modulates Prostaglandin E2 synthesis during inflammation" Society for Neurosciences. SFN-2016. San Diego, California, USA.
2016. Akter S. and Akundi RS., "Exogenous ATP Modulates Inflammatory Activity in Immune Cells", 34th Annual Meeting of the Indian Academy of Neurosciences, National Brain Research Center, India, 2016.
2015. Akter S. and Akundi RS., "Role of exogenous ATP in modulating inflammation in the brain", Workshop and symposium on "Green Science and Technology of Global Young Researchers", Shizuoka University, Japan, 2015.
2015. Akter S and Akundi RS., "Role of exogenous ATP in modulating inflammation in the brain", 29th Annual meeting of Society of Neurochemistry, India, SNCI-ACNN 2015, P-08. pp-91.

2016 Third Best Poster Award on "Exogenous ATP modulates LPS-mediated Cycloxygenase 2 activity in macrophages", 2nd International South Asian Biotechnology Conference 2016, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.
2015 Best Poster Award, on "Role of exogenous ATP in modulating inflammation in the brain", 29th Annual meeting of Society of Neurochemistry, North-East Hill University, India.
2013 Silver Jubilee Scholarship, the Govt. of India (to pursue PhD in Biotechnology).
2011 Silver Jubilee Scholarship, the Govt. of India (to pursue MSc in Biotechnology).

BSC 1010L General Bio Lab I