As part of the Northern Marianas College Cooperative Research, Extension, and Education Services’ (NMC-CREES) continuous efforts to expand its research and extension work, the College has brought on Dr. Md. Abdur Rashid Mia, whose expertise in biochemistry, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical technology brings a fresh perspective and is anticipated to contribute significantly to the program’s development and to the development of the CNMI Green Growth Initiative’s Regenerative Development Green Economy.
With a passion for natural medicinal plants, Dr. Mia is currently exploring the potential benefits of local resources for the CNMI community. Joining the NMC-CREES Food Science Program working alongside head food scientist and CNMI Program Leader Dr. Zaidul Sarker and their research team, their research focuses on investigating the bioactive compounds and medicinal properties of indigenous plants, particularly the noni, with the aim of developing innovative food products and medicinal supplements.
As the Food Science Program at CREES continues to grow, and with the unveiling of the new state-of-the-art food science laboratory on Saipan soon to be fully operational, Dr. Mia will be assisting Dr. Sarker in the publication of the noni research projects and any other current research projects. Their research into the noni plant’s seeds, fruit, and leaves found that there are bioactive compounds present that exhibit strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties.
“This could enhance the health and wellness of the CNMI community by promoting the local agricultural produce and medicinal plants to support green economic growth by fostering new opportunities for the commercialization of nutraceuticals from CNMI medicinal plants which are currently underutilized,” Mia said.
The noni research project has been ongoing since the Food Science program secured two food science research grants totaling $3.4 million in 2022. With the addition of Dr. Mia, the noni research project can begin its forthcoming publications about its benefits and potential to create a medicinal market in the CNMI.
“We look forward to Dr. Mia’s contributions to science and to using the results of his research for the benefit of our island community. For an early career scientist, Dr. Mia has an impressive track record of research,” stated Interim Dean Patricia Coleman.
Throughout the course of Dr. Mia's research, he hopes to discover better alternative antidiabetic drugs from natural medicinal plants using environmentally friendly solvents and sustainable technology to overcome these problems. Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic diseases that continues to be a public health concern, with origins due to chronic and abnormal carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolisms.
Dr. Rashid Mia earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Rajshahi in Bangladesh. He earned his Doctoral degree in Pharmaceutical Technology from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). Dr. Mia has received several accolades for his research achievements including placing third place in a thesis presentation competition at the Faculty of Pharmacy, IIUM. Additionally, he has published over 20 scientific articles in peer-reviewed/indexed journals that examine the beneficial compounds, safety, and potential anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties of medicinal plants.