Two Bangladeshi researchers receive Microsoft Research Dissertation Grant this year. They are Anna Fariha and Farah Diba.
Of them, Anna Fariha is lone daughter of retired teacher of economics at Kushtia Islamic University Professor Dr. Mamun and the university's deputy chief medical officer Dr. Hosne Ara Akhter.
Microsoft awards this prize each year among the PhD students to ensure the representation of all segments of society in computer science in North America.
This time 230 students from different North American universities applied. Ten of them were nominated for their research project and declared winners. Their prize is worth $ 25,000.
The main objective of the Anna Farihar Research Project (Enhancing Usability and Explainability of Data Systems) is to reduce the gap between the use of computer data systems between expert and non-expert users. To this end, she emphasized the need to increase the participation of non-expert users in data systems by making it easier for non-expert users to use computer programming tools.
Anna Fariha is currently pursuing her PhD in Computer Science at the University of Massachusetts, Amsterdam.
The main objective of the Farah Diba (Placenta: Towards an Objective Pregnancy Screening System) research project is to promote maternal health.
To this end, she proposes to introduce a screening method using quantitative ultrasound (CTJ) that will identify any abnormalities in the uterus early in pregnancy and allow for immediate action.
She is currently conducting her PhD at the University of British Columbia.