Firoj Alom, DVM, MS, PhD

2024: Best 3rd position for poster presentation (Postdoctoral fellow category) in Phi Zeta Research Celebration, University of Florida
2023: Travel support for poster presentation in AUA 2023-American Urological Association
2022-2024: Urology Care Foundation Research Scholar Award-American Urological Association and Indian American Urological Association
2014-2019: Scholarships to do research work as a PhD student-Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan
2016: Gold Medal for securing first position in MS in Pharmacology-Bangladesh Agricultural University
2014: Agrani Bank Gold medal for securing Faculty first position in DVM, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh
2011: Gold medal for securing first position in DVM, University of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

I have obtained my DVM and MS in Pharmacology degrees in Bangladesh. In my MS, I studied the effects of Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) leaves extract on growth parameters in broiler chicken. I was awarded my PhD in veterinary sciences from Japan in 2019 from the laboratory of Veterinary Pharmacology under the supervision of Prof. Toshihiro Unno. In my PhD work, I studied signal transduction pathways leading to contraction of smooth muscles in the intestine and urinary bladder targeting to find out a molecular target for the specific treatment of overactive bladder condition. Here I found one non-specific cation channels (Transient Potential Melastatin type 4) that contributes more for cholinergic contraction in bladder than the intestinal smooth muscles and suggested as a potential target for specific treatment of overactive bladder. As a continuation of my research, I have been employed in Dr. Mickle’s lab. Here, I am contributing to explore the role of urothelial cells in signaling of contraction and pain and trying to find out therapeutic approach (chemotherapy and optogenetics) after the spinal cord injury affecting lower urinary tract functions. In our recent publication, I contributed to show the central role of urothelial cells in bladder contraction. I also found an exciting result with ampakine that can improve bladder voiding functions after spinal cord injury in rat model. I have an academical background and few years of teaching experience in the field of veterinary physiology and pharmacology.