CourtneySugden at 08:56, 26 September 2025

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{{Short description|Bangladeshi scientist, writer, and politician}}
{{about||the Bangladesh Navy officer|M. Anwar Hossain (admiral)}}
{{EngvarB|date=March 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox scientist
|name = M Anwar Hossain
|native_name=মো. আনোয়ার হোসেন
|native_name_lang=bn
|birth_place = [[Sylhet]], [[East Bengal]], [[Dominion of Pakistan|Pakistan]]
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1949|08|20}}
|alma_mater = [[University of Dhaka]] [[Kyoto University]]
|workplaces = University of Dhaka Kyoto University [[Kyoto Prefectural University]] [[Purdue University]] [[Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology]] [[Jahangirnagar University]] [[North South University]]
}}

'''M Anwar Hossain''' (born 20 August 1949) is a Bangladeshi [[Botany|scientist]], writer, and politician. He is a professor at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of University of Dhaka and a member of the Standing Committee of the [[Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.du.ac.bd/academic/department_item_details/faculty/BCH|title=Faculty Members List: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.daily-sun.com/arcprint/details/245228/Inu-for-concerted-effort-to-end-politics-of-conspiracy/2017-08-03|title=Inu for concerted effort to end politics of conspiracy|work=The Daily Sun|access-date=16 February 2018|language=en|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216090326/http://www.daily-sun.com/arcprint/details/245228/Inu-for-concerted-effort-to-end-politics-of-conspiracy/2017-08-03|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsbangladesh.com/english/details/19358|title='JSD built strategic unity with Zia on 7th Nov' - Politics|work=News Bangladesh|access-date=16 February 2018|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216084950/http://www.newsbangladesh.com/english/details/19358|archive-date=16 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/532688.details|script-title=bn:‘যারা পক্ষে সাফাই গাইছে তারাই চিহ্নিত জঙ্গি’|work=banglanews24.com|date=12 November 2016 |language=bn|access-date=16 February 2018}}</ref> He was the 14th vice chancellor of [[Jahangirnagar University]] and the former president of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) and Bangladesh Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.<ref>{{Cite web|title = University of Dhaka - the highest echelon of academic excellence|url = http://www.du.ac.bd/academic/department_item_details/faculty/BCH|website = www.du.ac.bd|access-date = 30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = New Executive Committee-2015 |url = http://www.bdsbmb.org/committee.htm |website = Bangladesh Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology |access-date = 30 December 2015}}</ref> Hossain was a freedom fighter of the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] of 1971 during which he served as a staff officer of sector 11. Hossain has been detained and imprisoned twice by military rulers of Bangladesh and has been described by [[Ted Kennedy|Senator Edward Kennedy]] as a 'prisoner of conscience'.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2007/11/2/senator-criticizes-academic-arrests-senator-edward/|title=Senator Criticizes Academic Arrests |work=The Harvard Crimson|language=en|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pamphleteerspress.com/keynote-speech-by-lawrence-lifschultz/|title=Keynote Speech by Lawrence Lifschultz|website=The Pamphleteer's Press|language=en-US|access-date=12 February 2018}}</ref>

==Family and early life==
Hossain was born in the Juri Station of [[Sylhet]] on 20 August 1949 to his parents Mohiuddin Ahmed and Begum Ashrafunnessa. Mohiuddin who began his career as an apprentice of the British Railway was serving as station master of Juri when Anwar was born. Anwar had three sisters and eight brothers. Eight of the eleven brothers and sisters actively participated in the [[Liberation War of Bangladesh]] in 1971. Four of Anwar's brothers, Lt. Colonel [[Abu Taher]], Abu Yusuf Khan, Shakhawat Hossain Bahar and [[Waresat Hussain Belal]], were awarded the Bir Uttam, Bir Bikram, Bir Protik and Bir Protik respectively.

==Career==

=== Academic ===
Anwar obtained his bachelor's and master's from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Dhaka in 1971 and 1972 respectively. He did his MSc thesis under the supervision of Kamaluddin Ahmad.<ref>{{Cite web |title = Ahmad, Kamaluddin |url = http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Ahmad,_Kamaluddin|website = Banglapedia|access-date = 30 December 2015}}</ref> Anwar joined Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Dhaka as a lecturer on 1 January 1975. In 1982 Anwar was awarded a [[Monbukagakusho Scholarship]] with which he pursued doctoral studies at [[Kyoto University]], Japan under the supervision of Kozi Asada. His Ph.D. thesis was titled "Photosynthesis: Plant's Defence Mechanism Against Photo-Oxidative Damage” and was awarded the degree in 1985. He became an assistant professor at 1985 and associate professor at 1990. From 1994 to till date he is working as a selection grade professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Dhaka. He was Chairman of the Department from 2001 to 2003. Hossain was elected as Dean of the Biological Sciences and the Founding Project Director of Dhaka University's Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://geb.du.ac.bd/about/history/|title=History – DU-GEB|website=geb.du.ac.bd|language=en-US|access-date=10 February 2018|archive-date=11 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211131214/http://geb.du.ac.bd/about/history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Currently he is also teaching in Biochemistry and Microbiology Department in North South University. He has, in the past, served as the elected General Secretary and President of the Dhaka University Teachers' Association (DUTA) for multiple terms.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://bdnews24.com/politics/2010/12/29/pro-al-panel-sweeps-duta|title=Pro-AL panel sweeps DUTA|work=bdnews24.com|access-date=10 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6959779.stm|title=High stakes in Bangladesh protests|date=23 August 2007|access-date=10 February 2018|language=en-GB}}</ref> Hossain was elected as the vice-chancellor of [[Jahangirnagar University]] (JU) on 17 July 2012, a position which he served till January 2014.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thedailystar.net/news/embattled-ju-vcs | title=Embattled JU VCs | work=The Daily Star | date=28 August 2013 | access-date=11 September 2016 | author=Alim, Syed Fattahul}}</ref>

===Research===
Hossain has conducted research with world renowned plant scientists, among whom are Joseph C. Arthur Distinguished Professor of Plant Physiology and Emeritus Professor of Botany and Plant Pathology of [[Purdue University]] Thomas K Hodges, Japanese plant physiologist and Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University Kozi Asada, former president of the [[Australian Academy of Science]] [[Jim Peacock]] and Professor Kamaluddin Ahmad. With over 1400 citations, Hossain is one of the most cited plant scientists in Bangladesh.<ref>{{Cite web|title = M Anwar Hossain – Google Scholar Citations|url = https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ln6TTI0AAAAJ&hl=en|website = scholar.google.com|access-date = 30 December 2015}}</ref> His works have appeared in premier scientific journals including the [[Journal of Biological Chemistry]], [[Plant Physiology (journal)|Plant Physiology]], Plant Molecular Biology and Plant and Cell Physiology.<ref>{{Cite journal|url = http://www.jbc.org/content/260/24/12920.full.pdf|title = Monodehydroascorbate Reductase from Cucumber Is a Flavin Adenine Dinucleotide Enzyme|last = Hossain|first = M Anwar|date = October 1985|journal = Journal of Biological Chemistry| volume=260 | issue=24 | pages=12920–12926 | doi=10.1016/S0021-9258(17)38813-0 | pmid=4055727 |access-date = 30 December 2015| doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Sequence of a cDNA from Oryza sativa (L.) Encoding the Pyruvate Decarboxylase 1 Gene|url = http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/106/2/799|journal = Plant Physiology|date = 1 October 1994|issn = 1532-2548|pmid = 7991697|pages = 799–800|volume = 106|issue = 2|doi = 10.1104/pp.106.2.799|first1 = M. A.|last1 = Hossain|first2 = E.|last2 = Hug|first3 = T. K.|last3 = Hodges|pmc=159595}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Nucleotide Sequence of a Rice Genomic Pyruvate Decarboxylase Gene That Lacks Introns: A Pseudo-Gene?|url = http://www.plantphysiol.org/content/106/4/1697|journal = Plant Physiology|date = 1 December 1994|issn = 1532-2548|pmid = 7846174|pages = 1697–1698|volume = 106|issue = 4|doi = 10.1104/pp.106.4.1697|first1 = M. A.|last1 = Hossain|first2 = J. D.|last2 = McGee|first3 = A.|last3 = Grover|first4 = E.|last4 = Dennis|first5 = W. J.|last5 = Peacock|first6 = T. K.|last6 = Hodges|pmc=159721}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Characterization of pyruvate decarboxylase genes from rice|journal = Plant Molecular Biology|date = 1 July 1996|issn = 0167-4412|pages = 761–770|volume = 31|issue = 4|doi = 10.1007/BF00019464|first1 = M. Anwar|last1 = Hossain|first2 = Enamul|last2 = Huq|first3 = Anil|last3 = Grover|first4 = Elizabeth S.|last4 = Dennis|first5 = W. James|last5 = Peacock|first6 = Thomas K.|last6 = Hodges| pmid=8806407 | bibcode=1996PMolB..31..761H | s2cid=5553342 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Inactivation of Ascorbate Peroxidase in Spinach Chloroplasts on Dark Addition of Hydrogen Peroxide: Its Protection by Ascorbate|url = http://pcp.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/7/1285|journal = Plant and Cell Physiology|date = 1 October 1984|issn = 0032-0781|pages = 1285–1295|volume = 25|issue = 7|first1 = M. Anwar|last1 = Hossain|first2 = Kozi|last2 = Asada |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.pcp.a076837|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Monodehydroascorbate Reductase in Spinach Chloroplasts and Its Participation in Regeneration of Ascorbate for Scavenging Hydrogen Peroxide|url = http://pcp.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/3/385|journal = Plant and Cell Physiology|date = 1 April 1984|issn = 0032-0781|pages = 385–395|volume = 25|issue = 3|first1 = M. Anwar|last1 = Hossain|first2 = Yoshiyuki|last2 = Nakano|first3 = Kozi|last3 = Asada|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.pcp.a076726|url-access = subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|title = Purification of Dehydroascorbate Reductase from Spinach and Its Characterization as a Thiol Enzyme|url = http://pcp.oxfordjournals.org/content/25/1/85|journal = Plant and Cell Physiology|date = 1 January 1984|issn = 0032-0781|pages = 85–92|volume = 25|issue = 1|first1 = M. Anwar|last1 = Hossain|first2 = Kozi|last2 = Asada|doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.pcp.a076700|url-access = subscription}}</ref> Hossain serves in the Editorial Board of ''[[Bioresearch Communications]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Bioresearch Communications|url = http://www.bioresearchcommunications.com/editorial-board.htm#.VoQHJ5OLSCQ|website = www.bioresearchcommunications.com|access-date = 30 December 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160123162639/http://www.bioresearchcommunications.com/editorial-board.htm#.VoQHJ5OLSCQ|archive-date = 23 January 2016|url-status = dead}}</ref> After his PhD he returned to Bangladesh for 2–3 years, and then again went to Kyoto Prefectural University as a part of a Biotechnology Career Fellowship Program (1987–1990). This time he studied plant genetic engineering.

From 1991 to 1994 and 1995–1996 he worked at Purdue University, USA and Kyoto University, Japan respectively as visiting scientist (full-time professor) during which he worked for developing submergence (flood) tolerant rice.

After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, Hossain was assaulted outside Shahjalal International Airport on 9 August 2024.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last= |title=Former JU VC Anwar Hossain attacked near Dhaka airport, family alleges right-wing involvement |url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/df2965ad4c52 |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=[[bdnews24.com]] |language=en}}</ref> The attackers allegedly said, "You spoke against Jamaat. We're going to slit your throat."<ref name=":0" /> In May 2025, an attempted murder case was filed against him over a student of Alia Madrasa getting injured in [[Old Dhaka]] during protests against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-02 |title=হত্যাচেষ্টা মামলায় মামুনুর রশীদ, চঞ্চল, শাওনসহ ২০১ জন আসামি |url=https://www.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/osw2z68z9p |access-date=2025-05-02 |website=Prothomalo |language=bn}}</ref>

==Awards==
# Japanese Monbusho Scholarship in 1982
# University Grants Commission (UGC) Award 1985 for the research paper entitled, 'Monodehydroascorbate reductase from cucumber is a flavin adenine dinucleotide enzyme' which was adjudged as the best publication in 1985 in fundamental research in the field of Biological Sciences in Bangladesh.
# The Rockefeller Foundation Biotechnology Career Fellowship in 1987.
# The Rockefeller Foundation Visiting Scientist Fellowship in 1991.
# Justice Ibrahim Gold Medal for the year 1993 for outstanding research in Biological Sciences.
# Visiting professorship in Kyoto University, Japan in 1995.

==Literature==
Hossain's columns have appeared in leading national dailies such as [[Bdnews24.com|bdnews24]], ''[[Janakantha]]'', ''Kaler Kantho'', and ''[[Samakal]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/archives/author/d-m-anwar_hosen |script-title=bn:ড মো আনোয়ার হোসেন |work=bdnews24.com |type=Opinion |language=bn |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202191211/http://opinion.bdnews24.com/bangla/archives/author/d-m-anwar_hosen |archive-date=2 February 2016 |access-date=11 January 2016}}</ref> He has written four books.

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hossain, M Anwar}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Academic staff of the University of Dhaka]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi scientists]]
[[Category:21st-century biochemists]]
[[Category:Biotechnologists]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Jahangirnagar University]]
[[Category:Bangladeshi politicians]]
[[Category:Mukti Bahini personnel]]
[[Category:Mymensingh Zilla School alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century biochemists]]

M. Anwar Hossain - Revision history

CourtneySugden at 08:56, 26 September 2025