Assistant Professor of Chemistry · University of Dhaka

Md. Omar Sha Rafi

Natural Products Chemist  ·  Phytochemistry Researcher

I teach organic and general chemistry at the University of Dhaka, mentoring the next generation of chemists in the classroom and the lab. Alongside teaching, my research isolates and characterizes bioactive molecules from medicinal plants — turning traditional herbal knowledge into evidence-based therapeutic leads.

Portrait of Md. Omar Sha Rafi
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01 / About

A chemist working where tradition meets discovery

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Dhaka, where I teach organic and general chemistry and lead research in natural products. My work centers on discovering and validating the bioactive molecules that give medicinal plants their therapeutic power.

Trained in organic chemistry (MS, University of Dhaka), I combine hands-on isolation and structural elucidation with computational tools — molecular docking, structure–activity analysis, machine learning, and cheminformatics — to move systematically from a plant extract to a characterized, biologically active lead. Alongside the bench, I bring a strong programming and analytical background that supports data-driven, reproducible science.

I have authored twelve peer-reviewed publications, led three funded research projects, and mentored twenty-three graduate and undergraduate researchers — and I care deeply about teaching that helps students think independently and fall in love with the science.

  • ◈ Based in Shahbag, Dhaka, Bangladesh
  • ◈ Natural products · Phytochemistry · Medicinal chemistry
  • ◈ Docking · QSAR & machine learning · Green synthesis
  • ◈ Fluent in Bangla & English
0 Peer-reviewed
publications
0 Students
mentored
0 Funded research
projects
0 Honors &
awards
02 / Research

Research interests

My research sits at the intersection of natural products chemistry, phytochemistry, and computational, AI-driven drug discovery. I investigate medicinal plants and natural sources to isolate, characterize, and evaluate bioactive secondary metabolites — pairing classical phytochemical screening and advanced spectroscopic elucidation with molecular docking, machine learning, and in-vitro / in-vivo pharmacological assays. The goal is to translate traditional herbal knowledge into validated, biologically active molecules and evidence-based leads for modern therapeutics.

Emerging focus

Machine Learning & AI for Drug Discovery

Applying machine learning and QSAR/QSPR modeling to predict bioactivity, ADMET, and structure–property relationships — accelerating the discovery and ranking of natural-product leads through cheminformatics and data-driven virtual screening.

Natural Products & Phytochemistry

Isolation, purification, and structural elucidation of secondary metabolites and fatty acids from medicinal plants and natural bio-sources.

Bioactivity & Pharmacology

Antioxidant, cytotoxic, thrombolytic, analgesic, antidiabetic, antidepressant, and membrane-stabilizing evaluation through in-vitro and in-vivo assays.

Computational Drug Discovery

Molecular docking and structure–activity relationship studies with AutoDock Vina, PyRx, and Discovery Studio to prioritize and rationalize therapeutic leads.

Analytical Characterization

Structural identification and fatty-acid profiling using NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, HPLC, GC-FID, and XRD for rigorous, reproducible characterization.

Medicinal & Synthetic Chemistry

Design and synthesis of bioactive scaffolds — thiazolidinedione, dihydropyrimidine, and benzimidazole derivatives — guided by structure–activity insight.

Green Synthesis & Materials

Green-synthesized metal-oxide nanoparticles and valorization of bio-waste (chitin, chitosan, carboxymethyl chitosan) for biological and catalytic applications.

03 / Publications

Selected publications

Peer-reviewed research in natural products, phytochemistry, medicinal and materials chemistry. My name is highlighted; * marks papers where I served as corresponding author.

  1. 2026

    Experimental and computational evaluation of bioactive secondary metabolites from Trewia nudiflora stem bark

    Mimi, S. S., Fahim, M. S. Z., Rafi, M. O. S., Mia, M. S., & Hasan, M. K.

    Fitoterapia, 195, 107479. DOI

  2. 2026

    Innovative TiO2–SiO2–La2O3 nanocomposite systems for enhanced wastewater treatment performance

    Al Mamun, A., Shanchary, H. R., Rafi, M. O. S.*, Ray, S. K., Shandhi, S. P., Bhuiyan, R. H., Chowdhury, F., & Muslim, T.

    Next Nanotechnology, 10, 100807. DOI Corresponding author

  3. 2026

    Catechol substitution governs antioxidant potency in 5-arylidene-thiazolidine-2,4-diones: synthesis, structure–activity relationships, DFT, docking, and molecular dynamics

    Meem, M. I., Fahim, M. S. Z., Mia, M. S., Rafi, M. O. S.*, & Akhter, K.

    Results in Chemistry, 30, 103793. DOI Corresponding author

  4. 2026

    Design, characterization, and application of a mixed metal oxide (Al2O3–La2O3–V2O5) nanocomposite in photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue: a multi-technique approach

    Al Mamun, A., Ray, S. K., Rafi, M. O. S.*, Shandhi, S. P., Bhuiyan, R. H., Chowdhury, F., & Muslim, T.

    RSC Advances. DOI Corresponding author

  5. 2026

    Exploring the bioactivity of Ageratum conyzoides L.: antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of flower extracts

    Fahim, M. S. Z., Moulick, S. P., Mimi, S. S., Dey, S. S., Rafi, M. O. S., Chhanda, S. A., … & Muslim, T.

    Next Research, 102216. DOI

  6. 2026

    In-vivo evaluation of analgesic, antidiarrheal, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Sarcolobus carinatus methanolic extract in Swiss albino mice

    Hossain, R. B., Mimi, S. S., Rafi, M. O. S.*, Chhanda, S. A., Ibrahim, M., & Muslim, T.

    Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal, 29(2), 282–289. DOI Corresponding author

  7. 2026
  8. 2025

    Antioxidant, thrombolytic, cytotoxic and membrane-stabilizing activities and fatty acid composition of Acmella calva (DC.) flower

    Rafi, M. O. S.*, Shristy, N. T., Mimi, S. S., Chhanda, S. A., Rahman, M. H., Rahman, M. S., … & Muslim, T.

    Bangladesh Journal of Botany, 54(3), 433–439. DOI Corresponding author

  9. 2025

    Investigation of the pharmacological potential of Staurogyne zeylanica Kuntze: In-vitro and in-vivo studies

    Bristy, R. R., Mimi, S. S., Chhanda, S. A., Ali, M. H., Rafi, M. O. S., & Muslim, T.

    Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal, 28(1), 28–36. DOI

  10. 2024

    Assessing therapeutic potentials of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don focusing on anti-diabetic, analgesic and anti-diarrheal activities

    Jahan, I., Ali, M. H., Shristy, N. T., Rafi, M. O. S., Mimi, S. S., Siddik, M. N. A., … & Chowdhury, T. A.

    Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal, 27(2), 215–222. DOI

  11. 2024

    In-vitro biological activities and fatty acid composition analysis of Musa paradisiaca L. inflorescence

    Shristy, N. T., Rafi, M. O. S., Mimi, S. S., Chowdhury, V., Rahman, M. H., & Chowdhury, T. A.

    Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 23(1), 69–76. DOI

  12. 2023

    Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen flower: A comprehensive in-vivo study of its central and peripheral analgesic, hypoglycemic, antidepressant, and anti-diarrheal properties

    Rafi, M. O. S.*, Shristy, N. T., Chowdhury, V., Rahman, M. H., Mimi, S. S., Afroz, R., & Chowdhury, T. A.

    Dhaka University Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 22(1), 65–71. DOI Corresponding author

Conference presentations

  • Isolation of phytoconstituents and biological investigation on the flower of Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen (Surjo Konna) Rafi, M. O. S.; Rahman, M. H.; Chowdhury, T. A. — BCSIR Congress on Integrated Approach for Adapting 4IR, Dec 1–3, 2022, BCSIR, Dhaka. (Oral presentation)
  • Phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of the inflorescences of Musa paradisiaca L. (Atia kola) Shristy, N. T.; Rafi, M. O. S.; Chowdhury, V.; Rahman, M. H.; Chowdhury, T. A. — BCSIR Congress on Integrated Approach for Adapting 4IR, Dec 1–3, 2022, BCSIR, Dhaka. (Oral presentation)
04 / Journey

Experience & education

Professional experience

Sep 2026 — Present

Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka

  • Leading three externally funded research projects (PI / Co-I), securing ~1 million BDT.
  • Supervising 11 MSc and 12 undergraduate students in compound isolation, organic synthesis, and advanced analytical techniques.
  • Designed and taught 2+ theory courses and 4 laboratory courses in organic and general chemistry.
Dec 2023 — Sep 2026

Lecturer of Chemistry

Department of Chemistry, University of Dhaka

  • Taught theory and laboratory courses in organic and general chemistry, and launched three externally funded research projects as PI / Co-I.
Jul 2023 — Dec 2023

Research Fellow

Bose Center for Advanced Study and Research in Natural Sciences, University of Dhaka

  • Project: Evaluation of phytochemicals and bioactive properties of Adenosma indianum.
Jul 2022 — Jun 2023

Research Assistant

Centennial Research Grant (CRG 2nd Phase), University of Dhaka

  • Project: Investigation of nutritional content, phytochemical and biological activity of the fruit of Limonia acidissima L.

Education

Aug 2021 — Dec 2022

MS in Organic Chemistry

University of Dhaka

  • Thesis: Isolation of phytoconstituents, fatty acid analysis and biological investigation on the flower of Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen.
  • Applied NMR, UV-Vis, IR, XRD, and HPLC for structural elucidation and bioactivity studies.
Jan 2016 — Mar 2021

BS in Chemistry

University of Dhaka

  • Project: Phytochemical screening, in-vitro cytotoxicity evaluation and fatty acid analysis of Spilanthes acmella L. flower.

Research grants & funding

Principal Investigator 80,000 BDT

Isolation of secondary metabolites, fatty acid analysis and biological investigation on the flower of Acmella calva (DC.) R.K. Jansen

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Bangladesh · 1 publication & 2 MSc students trained

Principal Investigator 80,000 BDT

Phytochemical and pharmacological exploration of Trianthema portulacastrum L. leaves: a potential medicinal weed

Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Bangladesh

Co-Investigator 750,000 BDT

Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of thiazolidinedione derivatives as potential therapeutic agents

University Grants Commission (UGC), Bangladesh · project design, experimentation & data analysis

05 / Toolkit

Skills & techniques

⚗ Analytical & Instrumental

NMRFT-IRUV-Vis SpectrophotometryHPLCGC-FIDXRDColumn & TLC Chromatography

🧬 Computational & ML

AutoDock VinaPyRxDiscovery StudioMolecular DockingQSAR / QSPRMachine LearningCheminformaticsADMET PredictionChemDraw

🔬 Laboratory & Synthesis

Compound IsolationOrganic SynthesisPhytochemical ScreeningBioassay (in-vitro / in-vivo)Green Synthesis

💻 Programming & Data

Python 3JavaScriptHTMLRubyBashSigmaPlotMS Excel

🛡 Cyber & Systems

Synack Red TeamPenetration TestingIT SecuritySystem AdministrationLinux / Unix

🗣 Professional

Scientific WritingPresentationTeachingTeam LeadershipBanglaEnglish
06 / Teaching

Teaching & mentorship

“To me, teaching is not just about explaining a subject or completing a syllabus. It is about helping students grow in confidence, think independently, and develop a genuine interest in learning — a classroom where they feel free to ask questions, share ideas, and learn from mistakes without fear of judgment.”

I treat students as active participants, connecting abstract chemistry to real situations through discussion, examples, and problem-solving. Because every student learns differently, I use varied methods and value respect, collaboration, and open communication — and I see assessment as a way to build confidence and ownership, not just assign grades.

11 MSc thesis students
12 undergraduate researchers
3 theory courses
4 laboratory courses

Courses taught

CH 485 4th Year · 2 cr

Medicinal Chemistry

Principles of drug design, structure–activity relationships, and biochemical mechanisms of therapeutic agents — from pharmacokinetics to case studies of antibiotics and anticancer drugs.

CMG 100 1st Year · 4 cr

General Chemistry

Foundation course for non-major students: atomic structure and bonding, states of matter, chemical reactions, and an introduction to acids, bases, and solutions.

ORG 526 MS · 3 cr

Carbohydrates & Glycoconjugates

Advanced MS course on the chemistry, synthesis, and biological roles of carbohydrates and their conjugates within the organic chemistry thesis group.

CMGL 100 1st Year · 2 cr

General Chemistry Laboratory

Hands-on qualitative and quantitative analysis, simple synthesis and purification, and laboratory safety — reinforcing the theory of CMG 100.

CHL 324 3rd Year · 4 cr

Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

Multi-step organic synthesis, isolation and characterization of natural products, and spectroscopic structure analysis with IR and NMR.

CHL 463 4th Year · 2 cr

Industrial Chemistry Laboratory

Pilot-scale synthesis and process optimization, analytical methods for industrial products, and environmental & safety practice for real-world chemistry.

07 / Recognition

Honors & awards

2023

1st Runner-up, HackerOne Bug Hunt 2023 — Bug Bounty Community Bangladesh, ICT Division, Dhaka

2022

University Merit Scholarship, based on academic excellence at BS

2021

National Science & Technology (NST) Fellowship

2018

Mitsubishi Corporation International Scholarship

2014

Dhaka Board Government Merit Scholarship — Secondary School Certificate (SSC)

2010

Dhaka Board Government Merit Scholarship — Junior School Certificate (JSC)

2007

Dhaka Board Government Merit Scholarship — Primary Scholarship Examination

08 / Credentials

Certifications & courses

Continuous learning across AI, programming, data, cybersecurity, and professional skills. Click any card to view the certificate.

09 / Contact

Let's collaborate

Open to research collaboration, graduate supervision, and academic conversation in natural products chemistry, drug discovery, and beyond. The fastest way to reach me is email.