Dr. Nisharga Chowdhury, from Cumilla, Bangladesh, is a medical doctor and health care professional. He received his bachelor’s degree in medicine in 2011 from BGC Trust Medical College under Chittagong University, and a master’s degree in applied epidemiology from Dhaka University in 2018.

In 2013, Dr. Chowdhury joined the government service as a medical officer. He worked at the village level, providing basic health care, immunization and clinical duties. In 2016, he joined the Field Epidemiology Training Program, which is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2019, he was promoted to the role of subdistrict health administrator. In April 2020, he assumed responsibility for coordinating the Cumilla District’s COVID-19 response. Within the Cumilla District, Dr. Chowdhury established an epidemiological cell and also was appointed as a deputy civil surgeon. In addition to his government duties, Dr. Chowdhury established the Neelavra Foundation, a charitable organization that fights against depression and prevents suicide. He also has published nine novels.

During his fellowship, he plans to focus on learning more about policy generation and implementation, and leadership skills.