Abdullah Al Asek

Nature Conservationist
Nature Conservationist

Abdullah Al Asek

Nature Conservationist
Overview

Nature Conservationist

DAAD Scholar | Studying MSc in LENC at Universität Greifswald, Germany.

I am a passionate nature conservationist with over three years of experience in biodiversity research, ecological restoration, fisheries and limnology, and sustainable ecosystem management. Currently pursuing an MSc in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation at Universität Greifswald as a recipient of the prestigious DAAD scholarship for emerging professionals, I bring an interdisciplinary foundation in zoology, biodiversity, and ecology.

Resume

Education and Experience

Education

  • MSc in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation

    Universität Greifswald, Germany
    2024 - Current

    Currently I am doing my MSc in Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation (LENC).

  • BSc in Zoology

    University of Chittagong
    2015 - 2020

    Developed my skills on biodiversity and ecology here.

Experience

  • STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    Universität Greifswald
    May 2025 - Current

    Worked for organizing web content, managing webpages, and arranging conferences for the Climate Change module. Currently, responsible for managing the Moodle platform and editing video materials for the Principles of Landscape Ecology module.

  • RESEARCH ASSOCIATE

    HALDA RIVER RESEARCH LABORATORY
    April 2021 - July 2024

    Contributed to six projects related to animal surveys, limnological analysis, the development of a management plan for protecting biodiversity and securing ecosystem services of the Halda River, the genetic characterization of the globally endangered aquatic mammal Platanista gangetica, and the effects of increasing salinity on aquatic animals.

  • RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    HALDA RIVER RESEARCH LABORATORY
    Jan 2020 - Dec 2020

    Contributed to the whole-genome sequencing of four major carps and a river dolphin, playing roles in sample collection, DNA extraction, genomic raw data analysis, assembly preparation, data interpretation, phylogenetic analysis, and more.

  • RESEARCH INTERN

    HALDA RIVER RESEARCH LABORATORY
    Jan 2019 - Nov 2020

    Learned to operate lab instruments, create questionnaires, conduct statistical analysis, and gained proficiency in software, including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, etc.

  • RESEARCH ASSISTANT

    CENTER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SERVICES (CEGIS)
    Nov 2018 - Dec 2018

    Accomplished a project that involved tasks such as reviewing literature, preparing and operating equipment, collecting and identifying benthos and zooplankton, and drafting a report.

Projects

Running and Completed Projects

 

 Genetic Characterization of South Asian Blind River Dolphin 

13/04/2022 – Present

  • Collaborating with 22 researchers from various universities and Monash University, Malaysia.
  • Focused on understanding the genetic makeup of the Ganges River Dolphin.

Project Link: Monash University


 Dolphin and Carp Population Surveys in Halda River 
01/02/2022 – 30/04/2022

  • Analyzed population structure and genetic diversity of Ganges River Dolphins and Indian Major Carps (Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Cirrhinus cirrhosus, Labeo calbasu).
  • Published manuscript, another under review.


 Environmental Protection of Halda River, Bangladesh 
01/05/2021 – 30/08/2021

  • Developed an integrated management plan with PKSF and IFAD to support Halda River's biodiversity and ecosystem conservation.
  • Key findings published in Water Policy journal.


 Physicochemical Survey of Halda River 
01/04/2021 – 30/06/2021

  • Conducted water quality analysis to evaluate the natural condition of the Halda River.
  • Manuscript awaiting publication.


 Whole Genome Sequencing of Dolphins and IMCs from Halda River 
01/01/2020 – 30/12/2020

  • Contributed to the sequencing of the Ganges River Dolphin and Indian Major Carps from Halda River.
  • Published genome assembly data on NCBI.
Publications

List of scientific Publications

Policy Implications for Halda River

2022: Kibria, Md Manzoorul; Dilshad, Tasnima; Al Asek, Abdullah - 'Policy implications based on stakeholders’ perceptions for integrated management of the Halda River: Bangabandhu Fisheries Heritage of Bangladesh', Water Policy, 24(3), pp. 517-533.

Current Status of Ganges River Dolphin

2023: Kibria, Manzoorul; Siam, MA; Owaresat, JK; Khan, AR; Al Asek, Abdullah - 'Current Status of Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in Halda River, Chittagong, Bangladesh', Asian Journal of Conservation Biology, 12(1).

Hormonal Doses Optimization in Mystus tengara

2023: Fakhruddin, Md; Akther, Kazi Rabeya; Roy, Nirmal Chandra; Al Asek, Abdullah - 'Hormonal (sGRnH) Doses Optimization with the Ages of Brood Fish in Induced Breeding of Mystus tengara (Hamilton, 1822)', Journal of Aquaculture & Livestock Production, 124, pp. 2-8.

Fish Diversity of the Titas River

2024: Juhra, FT; Al Asek, Abdullah; Arafeen, Mohammad Shamsil - 'Fish Diversity of the Titas River, Bangladesh: Present Status and Conservation Needs', Life as Basic Science: An Overview and Prospects for the Future.

Fish Diversity and Socio-Economic Status

2024: Arafeen, Mohammad Shamsil; Tasnim, Jarin; Siam, MA Habib - 'Fish Diversity and Socio-Economic Status of Gomti River Fishermen at Cumilla Sadar Bangladesh', Bangladesh Journal of Zoology, 52(2), pp. 185-199.

Analysis of Kums Depth and Carp Spawning

2024: Arafeen, Mohammad Shamsil; Al Asek, Abdullah; Siam, MA Habib - 'Analysis of ‘Kums’ depth: Impacts on the natural carp spawning habitat of the Halda River of Bangladesh', Chittagong University Journal of Biological Sciences, pp. 103-114.

Growth and Mortality of Rohu Fish

2024: Kibria, Md Manzoorul; Sara, Sabira Ahmed; Newaj, AHM Shihar - 'A Comparative Study on the Growth and Mortality of Rohu Fish, Labeo rohita, of the Halda River (Wild) and Induced Hatchery (Artificial) Sources', Chittagong University Journal of Biological Sciences, pp. 83-90.

Environmental and Human Factors Affecting Carps

2024: Akther, Kazi Rabeya; Hossain, Mohammad Amzad; Al Asek, Abdullah - 'Environmental and human factors affecting Indian major carps' spawning in Halda River, Bangladesh', Archives of Agriculture and Environmental Science, 9(4), pp. 812-819.

Present Status of Fish Diversity of Kaptai Lake

2024: Arafeen, Mohammad Shamsil; Siam, MA Habib; Tasnim, Jarin - 'Present Status of Fish Diversity of the Kaptai Lake, Bangladesh', Journal of the Bangladesh Agricultural University, 22(4), pp. 506-516.

Most Productive Hatching Environment

2025: Arafeen, Mohammad Shamsil; Owaresat, J. K.; Islam, M. R.; Foysal, Ebne; Siam, MA Habib; Al Asek, Abdullah; Suhag, Badruzzaman; Kibria, Md Manzoorul- 'Identifying the most productive hatching environment for carp fish fry at the Halda river, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Journal of Zoology, 52(3), pp. 197-207.

Last Update: 28 August 2025

Testimonials

What people say about me

Others

Extra in My Bucket!


 Voluntary Experiences 

Founder & Advisory Board Member
Bicchu (save-wild.com) | Chattogram, Bangladesh
November 24, 2017 – Present

  • Lead a team of over 100 volunteers to raise awareness about wildlife conservation, mitigate human-animal conflicts, and prevent animal killings.
  • Contributed to blog writing (blog.savewild.com) and animal checklists (animal.save-wild.com) to educate the public and reduce superstition.


Executive Member
Chittagong University Nature Club (CUNC) | Chattogram, Bangladesh
March 2, 2020 – October 31, 2023

  • Contributed to efforts addressing natural degradation and exploitation through awareness campaigns, protests, and tree planting initiatives.


Convenor
River Club | Chattogram, Bangladesh
September 25, 2022 – December 4, 2023

  • Organized seminars, including World Rivers Day 2023, to raise awareness on water body conservation in Bangladesh.



 Academic Awards and Scholarships 

1. DAAD EPOS Full Funded Scholarship for Completing Masters in Germany

2. NST Fellowship For Extra-Ordinary Thesis Work

3. IDF-PKSF Scholarship For Undergraduate Research


Courses & Specializations 

  1. Introduction to Biology: Ecology, Evolution, & Biodiversity
    Rice University | Certificate

  2. Ecology: Ecosystem Dynamics and Conservation
    American Museum of Natural History | Certificate

  3. Ecosystem Services: A Method for Sustainable Development
    University of Geneva | Certificate

  4. Aeroecology: Exploring Biodiversity with Radar
    University of Leeds | Certificate

  5. Large Marine Ecosystems: Assessment and Management
    University of Cape Town, NOAA, IW: LEARN, GEF, UNDP, UNESCO-IOC, UNEP | Certificate

  6. Global Health at the Human-Animal-Ecosystem Interface
    University of Geneva | Certificate

  7. Introduction to Environmental Science
    Dartmouth College | Certificate

  8. Global Environmental Management
    Technical University of Denmark (DTU) | Certificate

  9. Climate Change and Indigenous People and Local Communities
    Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona | Certificate

  10. Tropical Forest Landscapes 101: Conservation & Restoration
    Yale University | Certificate

  11. Primate Conservation
    University of Colorado Boulder | Certificate

  12. Writing in the Sciences
    Stanford University | Certificate

  13. Introduction to GIS Mapping
    University of Toronto | Certificate

  14. R Programming
    Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) | Certificate

  15. Linux for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology
    NextGen Informatics Ltd | Certificate

  16. Leading Teams: Building Effective Team Cultures
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Certificate

  17. The Sustainable Development Goals – A Global, Transdisciplinary Vision for the Future
    University of Copenhagen | Certificate


 Conferences & Seminars 

  1. Trending Technology in One Health 2023
    City University of Hong Kong | April 4, 2023 (Online)

  2. Coastal River Conference 2022
    Kuakata, Bangladesh | January 28–29, 2022

  3. 6th International Water Conference 2021
    ActionAid Bangladesh | January 27–29, 2021 (Online)

  4. Hill Tracts River Conservation Conference 2019
    Bandarban, Bangladesh | April 19–20, 2019

Contact

Feel free to contact me!

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