Dr. A.T.M. Rafiqul Islam is an Associate Professor in the Department of Botany at the University of Barishal, Bangladesh. He obtained his B.Sc. (Honours) in Botany in 2007 and M.Sc. in Plant Biotechnology in 2008 from the University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh, securing First Class in both degrees. He subsequently earned his PhD in Molecular Plant Biotechnology from Hiroshima University, Japan, in 2023.

Dr. Islam has been serving in the Department of Botany, University of Barishal, since 2016. His research interests encompass plant biotechnology, phytomedicine, natural products, ethnobotany, medicinal plants, plant-derived bioactive compounds, agronomy, and climate-smart agriculture. His research has resulted in publications in peer-reviewed international journals, including the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine, Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, Journal of Crop Improvement, and Forests, Trees and Livelihoods.

His research focuses on exploring the biological and functional potential of plants and plant-derived compounds, investigating bioactive natural products, documenting traditional knowledge of medicinal plants, and developing sustainable and climate-resilient approaches to agriculture. His work also encompasses the study of medicinal and ethnobotanical resources associated with local communities in southwestern Bangladesh, including the Sundarbans region.

Through his teaching and research, Dr. Islam contributes to the advancement of plant science, biotechnology, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture, and the exploration of plant-based resources for potential applications in health, agriculture, and environmental sustainability.