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Malay Kanti Mridha

Professor and Director, Centre for NCD and Nutrition

Centre of Excellence for Non-Communicable Diseases and Nutrition (CNCDN)

Short Biography

Dr. Malay Kanti Mridha is a Professor of the BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health of BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is an internationally recognized scientist and leader in public health, non-communicable diseases, nutrition, climate change, and maternal and child health research. He has a unique combination of expertise in medicine, public health, epidemiology, non-communicable diseases, public health nutrition, environmental health research, programs, training, teaching, and academic supervision. He is leading a research center of excellence for non-communicable diseases and nutrition. With co-authors, he published more than 153 original research articles and research reports. He received research grants from the US Agency for International Development, World Health Organization, World Bank, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Food and Agriculture Organization, Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, United Nations Children Fund, Enfants du Monde, UK National Institute for Health Research, Wellcome Trust, Government of Bangladesh, Japan International Cooperation Agency, Nutrition International, HarvestPlus, UK Department for International Development, and Australian Aid. As the founding director of the research center of excellence for non-communicable diseases and nutrition of BRAC University, he is currently implementing a comprehensive research agenda to control and prevent non-communicable diseases and malnutrition in Bangladesh and the global South.

Module(s) taught (in MPH)

  • MPH 521: Biostatistics
  • MPH 530: Health Systems Management
  • MPH 681: Non-Communicable Diseases
  • Ageing and Health

Current Projects

1. Establishment of a nutrition panel in Bangladesh, World Bank, PI
2. Development and testing of an Upazila-specific model of ‘whole-of-government’, and ‘whole-of-society’ approaches for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases in a sub-district of Bangladesh, Government of Bangladesh, PI
3. Assessment of the nutritional status of mothers of children <5, <5 years old children and adolescent girls of Bangladesh, and pre-COVID-19 and two years into the pandemic comparison, UNICEF, PI
4. Process documentation on building Rohingya refugee and host community resilience in Cox’s bazar, PI
5. Global Health Research Unit on Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases in South Asians, NIHR, PI-Bangladesh
6. Maternal and neonatal health training of health care providers and health care managers of Sarail and B.Baria sub-district: Operations research, Enfants du Mande, PI
7. South Asia Biobank, NIHR, Wellcome Trust, PI-Bangladesh
8. Effectiveness of nutrition-specific and nutrition-sensitive interventions: a randomized controlled trial, UNICEF, CO-I

Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications

1.	Dewey KG, Arnold CD, Wessells KR, Prado EL, Abbeddou S, Adu-Afarwuah S, Ali H, Arnold BF, Ashorn P, Ashorn U, Ashraf S, Becquey E, Brown KH, Christian P, Colford JM, Dulience SJL, Fernald LCH, Galasso E, Hallamaa L, Hess SY, Humphrey JH, Huybregts L, Iannottie LL, Jannat K, Lartey A, Port AL, Leroy JL, Luby SP, Maleta K, Matias SL, Mbuya MNN, Mridha MK, Nkhoma M, Null C, Paul RR, Okronipa H, Ouédraogo JB, Pickering AJ, Prendergast AJ, Ruel M, Shaikh S, Weber AM, Wolff P, Zongrone A, Stewart CP. Preventive small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements reduce severe wasting and severe stunting among young children: an individual participant data meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Aug 31:nqac232. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac232. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36045000.
2.	Liu E, Wang D, Darling AM, Perumal N, Wang M, Ahmed T, Christian P, Dewey KG, Kac G, Kennedy S, Subramoney V, Briggs B, Fawzi WW; members of the GWG Pooling Project Consortium. Effects of prenatal nutritional supplements on gestational weight gain in low- and middle-income countries: a meta-analysis of individual participant data. Am J Clin Nutr. 2022 Sep 21:nqac259. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqac259. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36130877.
3.	Leong WY, Gupta A, Hasan M, Mahmood S, Siddiqui S, Ahmed S, Goon IY, Loh M, Mina TH, Lam B, Yew YW, Ngeow J, Lee J, Lee ES, Riboli E, Elliott P, Tan GP, Chotirmall SH, Wickremasinghe AR, Kooner JS, Khawaja KI, Katulanda P, Mridha MK, Jha S, Ranjit M A, Pradeepa G, Kasturiratne A, Chambers JC. Reference equations for evaluation of spirometry function tests in South Asia, and amongst South Asians living in other countries. Eur Respir J. 2022 Jul 26:2102962. doi: 10.1183/13993003.02962-2021. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35896203.
4.	Salem MK, Pitchik HO, Sultana J, Rahman M, Jannat KK, Luby SP, Mridha MK, Winch PJ, Fernald LCH. Prevalence of Sugar-Sweetened Food Consumption in Rural Bangladeshi Children Aged 6-24 Months. J Nutr. 2022 Jun 16:nxac119. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxac119. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35709397.
5.	Roy A, Hossain MM, Ullah MB, Mridha MK. Maternal and neonatal peripartum factors associated with late initiation of breast feeding in Bangladesh: a secondary analysis. BMJ Open. 2022 May 18;12(5):e051004. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-051004. PMID: 35584874.
6.	Kusuma D, Atanasova P, Pineda E, Anjana RM, De Silva L, Hanif AA, Hasan M, Hossain MM, Indrawansa S, Jayamanne D, Jha S, Kasturiratne A, Katulanda P, Khawaja KI, Kumarendran B, Mridha MK, Rajakaruna V, Chambers JC, Frost G, Sassi F, Miraldo M. Food environment and diabetes mellitus in South Asia: A geospatial analysis of health outcome data. PLoS Med. 2022 Apr 26;19(4):e1003970. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003970. PMID: 35472059; PMCID: PMC9041866.
7.	Roy A, Hossain MM, Hanif AAM, Khan MSA, Hasan M, Hossaine M, Shamim AA, Ullah MA, Sarkar SK, Rahman SMM, Bulbul MMI, Mitra DK, Mridha MK. Prevalence of Infant and Young Child Feeding Practices and Differences in Estimates of Minimum Dietary Diversity Using 2008 and 2021 Definitions: Evidence from Bangladesh. Curr Dev Nutr. 2022 Mar 3;6(4):nzac026. doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzac026. PMID: 35415389; PMCID: PMC8992578.
8.	Akter F, Hossain MM, Shamim AA, Khan MSA, Hasan M, Hanif AAM, Hossaine M, Urmy NJ, Ullah MA, Sarker SK, Rahman SMM, Mitra DK, Bulbul MMI, Mridha MK. Prevalence and socio-economic determinants of inadequate dietary diversity among adolescent girls and boys in Bangladesh: findings from a nationwide cross-sectional survey. J Nutr Sci. 2021 Dec 9;10:e103. doi: 10.1017/jns.2021.89. PMID: 35059184; PMCID: PMC8727722.
9.	Atanasova P, Kusuma D, Pineda E, Anjana RM, De Silva L, Hanif AAM, Hasan M, Hossain MM, Indrawansa S, Jayamanne D, Jha S, Kasturiratne A, Katulanda P, Khawaja KI, Kumarendran B, Mridha MK, Rajakaruna V, Chambers JC, Frost G, Sassi F, Miraldo M. Food environments and obesity: A geospatial analysis of the South Asia Biobank, income and sex inequalities. SSM - Population Health. 2022 Mar 1;17:101055.
10.	Jongstra R, Hossain MM, Galetti V, Hall AG, Holt RR, Cercamondi CI, Rashid SF, Zimmermann MB, Mridha MK, Wegmueller R. The effect of zinc-biofortified rice on zinc status of Bangladeshi pre-school children: a randomized, double-masked, household-based controlled trial. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Nov 18:nqab379. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab379. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34792094.

Other Publications

1.	Mridha MK, Abid MR, Ahmed HU, Talukder H, Hasan M, Sutradhar I, Akter F, Hanif AAM, Paul RR, et al. Noncommunicable Diseases and Risk Prevention. In: Bangladesh Health Watch (Eds). Fifty Years of Independence: Health Sector Development of Bangladesh (Published in Bengali). Dhaka: Prothoma Prokashon, 2022. PP: 153-167
2.	Koblinsky M, Anwar I, Mridha MK, Chowdhury ME, Rotlero R. Reducing Maternal Mortality and Improving Maternal Health: Bangladesh and the MDG-5. In: Sack DA (eds.) Achieving millennium development goals for health and nutrition in Bangladesh: key issues and interventions. Dhaka: ICDDRB, 2006. pp:38-58.
 
3.	Mridha MK, Hossain M, Hassan T, Sutradhar I, Kamal SNB, Khan A, Ahmed NU, Khondker R, Mustaphi P, Chowdhury IA, Adams AM, Hyder Z. Investing in adolescent girls’ nutrition in Bangladesh: situation analysis of trends and ways forward. 2019. Washington, DC: The World Bank.
4.	Mridha MK, Khan SA, Hosseain M, Shamim AA, Abdullah AHM, Hossain M, Hasan M, Ullah MA, Mitra DK, Rahman SMM, Sarkar SK. State of food security and nutrition in Bangladesh 2018-2019. 2019. Dhaka. BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health.
5.	Sutradhar I, Hasan M, Hossain MM, Khan SA, Yoshimura Y, Hossain MM, Choudhury SR, Sarker M, Mridha MK. Strengthening health systems through organizing communities (SHASTO): Baseline Survey Report. 2018. Dhaka. BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health. 
6.	¬Khanam F, Hussain M, Mistry SK, Mridha MK, Rahman M. Daily 500 mg calcium intake and pregnancy induced hypertension: an exploratory study. BRAC Research Report 55. 
7.	Mridha MK, Shahabuddin ASM, Gayen P, Ahmed F. Exploring the Implementation Settings to Better Inform the Design of an Integrated Nutrition and Deworming Program for Adolescent Girls: A Formative Research. 2017. Queensland, Griffith University.  
8.	Dewey KG, Mridha MK, Matias SL, Cummins JR, Arnold CD, Young RT, Maalouf-Manasseh Z, Vosti SA. Effectiveness of Home Fortification with Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements (LNS) or Micronutrient Powder on Child Growth, Development, Micronutrient Status, and Health Expenditures in Bangladesh. 2018. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
9.	Humber J, Vosti SA, Cummins RJ, Mridha MK, Matias SL, Dewey KG. The Rang-Din Nutrition Study in Rural Bangladesh: The Costs and Cost-Effectiveness of Programmatic Interventions to Improve Linear Growth at Birth and 18 Months, and the Costs of These Interventions at 24 Months. 2017. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
10.	Dewey KG, Mridha MK, Matias SL, Arnold CD, Young RT. Long-Term Effects of the Rang-Din Nutrition Study Interventions on Maternal and Child Outcomes. 2017. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
11.	Matias SL, Hardin KL, Muniruzzaman MM, Mridha MK, Ullah MB, Vosti SA, Dewey KG. Process Evaluation of the Rang-Din Nutrition Study: Final Report. 2017. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
12.	Dewey KG, Mridha MK, Matias SL, Cummins JR, Peerson JM, Arnold CD, Young RT, Vosti SA. Effectiveness of a lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) intervention on pregnancy and birth outcomes in Bangladesh. 2016. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
13.	Harding KL, Matias SL, Moniruzzaman M, Stewart CP, Mridha MK, Vosti SA, Dewey KG. Rang- Din Nutrition Study: Assessment of participant adherence to lipid-based nutrient and iron-folic acid supplements among pregnant and lactating women in the context of a study on the effectiveness of supplements in Bangladesh. 2014. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA.
14.	Sarker BK, Mitra DK, Dasgupta SK, Mridha MK. Report on baseline study on GSK supported Community Health Worker (CHW) initiative by CARE Bangladesh. 2013. CARE Bangladesh & icddr,b.
15.	Mridha MK. Prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms, anemia, and low and high body mass index in early pregnancy among rural women in North-West Bangladesh. University of California, Davis, 2013.
16.	Mridha MK, Koblinsky MA, Moran AC, Sarker BK, Chowdhury ME et al. Assessment of maternal, neonatal, and child health and family planning facilities in Bangladesh. Centre for Reproductive Health, icddr,b. 2012. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
17.	Mridha MK, Chaparro CM, Matias SL, Hussain S, Munira S, Saha S, Day LT, Dewey KG. Acceptability of Lipid-Based Nutrient Supplements and Micronutrient Powders among Pregnant and Lactating Women and Infants and Young Children in Bangladesh and Their Perceptions about Malnutrition and Nutrient Supplement. 2012. Washington, DC: FHI 360/FANTA-2 Bridge. 2012.
18.	Sarker BK, Higgins J, Mridha MK, Ferdous J, Dasgupta SK, Ahmed S, Khan J, and Reichenbach L. Caesarean delivery in urban slums of Dhaka City: Indications and consequences. Manoshi Working paper No. 18. icddr,b. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
19.	Sarker BK, Mridha MK, Dasgupta SK, Islam N and Reichenbach L. The effect of behavior change communication (BCC) interventions on maternal, neonatal and child health knowledge in urban slums of Bangladesh. Manoshi Working paper No. 17. icddr,b. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
20.	Alam B, Sarker BK, Shafi S, Banu M, Ahmed A, and Mridha MK. Assessment of performance of community health workers of Manoshi. Manoshi Working paper No. 16. icddr,b. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
21.	Mridha MK, Hossain MA, Alam B, Sarker BK, Wahed T et al. The Perceptions of Community Groups to Improve MNCH in Urban Slums: an Exploratory Case Study of Korail Slum in Dhaka. MANOSHI working paper No. 09. icddr,b. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
22.	Hossain MA, Mridha MK, Alam B, Nahar S, wahed T. Mapping the Healthcare-Market for MNCH Care: the Case of Providers and Facilities in Korail Slum in Dhaka. MANOSHI working paper No. 02. icddr,b. Dhaka, Bangladesh.
23.	Mridha MK. Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia: fundamentals. MotherNewbornChildNews. 2012; 1(1):1-5
24.	Mridha MK. Pre-eclampsia and Eclampsia: ongoing research. MotherNewbornChildNews. 2012¬¬¬¬; 1(1):8-9.
25.	Sarker B, Mridha M, Banu M, Alam B. The reasons for use and non-use of urban maternal and child health services in Bangladesh: a qualitative assessment from the client’s perspective. Tropical Medicine and International Health. 2011. 16: 291-291.
26.	Mridha MK, Koblinsky M. Shortages and shortcomings: the maternal health workforce crisis. id21 insight, August 2007.
27.	Mridha MK. Postpartum hemorrhage: an overview. MotherNewborNews. 2007; 2(2):1-3.
28.	Armbruster D, Mridha MK. Prevention of postpartum hemorrhage. MotherNewborNews. 2007; 2(2):3-8.
29.	Mridha MK, Roy S. Treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. MotherNewborNews. 2007; 2(2):8-9.
30.	Mridha MK, Roy S. Progress towards reduction of postpartum hemorrhage: experience from the field. MotherNewborNews. 2007; 2(2):9-16.
31.	Mridha MK, Narayanan I, de Graft-Johnson J. Birth Asphyxia: a major killer of newborns. MotherNewborNews. 2006; 1(2):2-5 
32.	Mridha MK, Narayanan I, de Graft-Johnson J. Research gaps in newborn resuscitation in developing countries. MotherNewborNews. 2006; 1(2):6.
33.	Mridha MK. Evidence for interventions included in the minimum package of maternal and newborn interventions. MotherNewborNews. 2006; 2(1):2-13.
34.	Mridha MK. Fundamentals of postpartum care. MotherNewborNews. 2005; 1(1):1-3.
35.	Mridha MK. Shifting postpartum interventions to the first 24 hours and the first week: crucial for maternal and newborn survival. MotherNewborNews. 2005; 1(1):3-4.
36.	Mridha MK. Common practices during postpartum care: useful, effective and harmful. MotherNewborNews. 2005; 1(1):4-5.
37.	Mridha MK. Developing indicators for monitoring towards maternal and newborn survival. MotherNewborNews. 2005; 1(1):8.
38.	Mridha MK, Koblinsky M. Policy perspective on integrated community-based postpartum care. Policy brief. 2005.

Awards

1. Top performer award, BRAC JPG School of Public Health, 2019
2. PICN travel award to attend Experimental Biology Conference in San Diego, University of California, Davis, 2016
3. NIH Fellowship through the University of California, San Francisco, NIH, 2012
4. Jastro Shield Research Grant from University of California, Davis, 2009
5. Fogarty Training Grant for Doctoral Studies at UC, Davis, 2008
6. Scholarship to attend International AIDS Congress in Bangkok, Thailand, 2004
7. Scholarship to attend International AIDS Congress and facilitate a skill-building workshop in Barcelona, Spain, 2002
8. Scholarship to attend International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Melbourne, Australia, 2001

Research Interests


Non-communicable diseases nutrition maternal and child health climate change digital health

Education


  • PhD (University of California
  • Davis
  • California
  • USA)
  • MPH (State University of Bangladesh)
  • MSc in Health Economics (University of Dhaka
  • Bangladesh)
  • MSc in Nutrition (University of Dhaka
  • Bangladesh)
  • Post Graduate Diploma in Health Economics (University of Dhaka
  • Bangladesh)
  • MBBS (University of Chittagong
  • Bangladesh)