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Math Department February Spotlight
Shahidul Islam
MD Shahidul Islam, a Ph.D. student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, shares a journey rooted in resilience, determination, and a commitment to lifelong learning. His story begins with his mother, the heart of his journey. After the passing of his father during his childhood, Shahidul's mother became his sole support and the cornerstone of his life. She not only guided him through challenges and successes but also instilled in him the deeper values of family, friendship, and community. She often reminded him, "Achievements mean little without family."
Carrying these values forward, Shahidul continues to strive for self-improvement. He is also the first in his family to complete a university degree, earning a bachelor’s in mathematics with First Class Second honors and a second major in Computer Science and Engineering from Shahjalal University of Science and Technology in Bangladesh. He went on to complete a master’s in mathematics at the same institution, graduating with First Class First honors and receiving a prestigious gold medal from the AF Mujibur Rahman Foundation in Bangladesh for his academic excellence.
Following his postgraduate studies, Shahidul served as a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Green University of Bangladesh for approximately one and a half years. During this time, he published four peer-reviewed journal papers in Mathematical Biology, with a focus on Evolutionary Game Theory using Social Complex Networks and using Machine Learning algorithms for disease-spread prediction. His dedication to research extended beyond the classroom, as he volunteered at IEEE conferences such as STI 4.0 and 5.0, gaining valuable insights from the global research community.
Recognizing the need to deepen his expertise in biomathematics, Shahidul sought a mentor with substantial experience in the field. This led him to Dr. Jin Wang, whose guidance Shahidul believes will enable him to make groundbreaking contributions to the field.
Outside his academic pursuits, Shahidul dreams of traveling the world to embrace diverse philosophies, cultures, and cuisines. He also aspires to establish an organization dedicated to fulfilling dreams and providing access to quality education. He firmly believes in mutual respect, stating, "Respect is a two-way street—when you give respect, you earn it in return." Shahidul’s faith in Allah inspires him to strive for excellence and motivates him to trust in himself, give his best effort, and believe in the inevitability of success.
Beyond his research and studies, Shahidul fosters a sense of community at the university by creating opportunities for faculty, staff, and students from all departments to connect and engage. He is working on organizing a Math Cricket Team, has proposed board game sessions, and actively supports departmental colloquiums by contributing thoughtful and insightful questions. Known for his caring nature, Shahidul is always willing to assist professors and colleagues whenever needed. His dedication to building connections and supporting others reflects his belief in the power of community, leaving a lasting impact on everyone he meets.
