Help me continue my Oxford PhD on Dengue prevention

To Generous Minds Who Support Knowledge and Progress, Changemakers, and Kind-Hearted People,

I was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in a humble family where education was my greatest asset. In 2019, as an MS student in Geography at the University of Dhaka, I contracted dengue during Bangladesh’s worst recorded outbreak, which affected thousands across the country. This experience changed my life.

Along with 15 other volunteers, I worked with the Ministry of Health to map high-risk areas and track patient locations to help prioritize response efforts. That moment sparked a realization—I wanted to use data and mapping to fight infectious diseases.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, I saw how epidemiology and AI-driven disease surveillance could prevent outbreaks before they happen. My work in malaria surveillance in the Chittagong Hill Tracts with Oxofrd further reinforced my mission: My first dream became a reality—I pursued my MSc at Oxford on a Commonwealth Scholarship.

I fell in love with Oxford, the brilliant minds, and kind people. I decided to continue my research at Oxford, combining geospatial intelligence, AI, and epidemiology to fight mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, zika, and malaria.

The Dream Came True—But With Unexpected Hurdles.

I was thrilled to receive an offer for a DPhil at Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Medicine, with my research supervised by a leading epidemiologist at MORU Bangkok and an AI expert. However, I knew that funding a three-year PhD at Oxford would be an enormous challenge.

Then, I received the best news of my life—I was awarded a prestigious government scholarship, granted to only 11 people nationwide. I was the only female candidate from the private sector to receive it. It was a moment of pride—not just for me, but for everyone who believed in me.

But just as I was preparing to buy my ticket and start my PhD, my country went through a political shift. With a change in government, past initiatives were canceled overnight, including my scholarship. I fought for justice in the High Court, but the case remains pending.

Oxford stepped in to cover my tuition, allowing me to start my PhD. However, because of the scholarship structure, I cannot apply for mid-term funding for my research. This leaves me in urgent need of £20,000 to cover my initial living expenses, fieldwork, and travel to Bangkok (MORU), Oxford. With this, I can plan my first-year travel, shorter accommodation, and build a strong network to secure and sustain my whole journey with a larger grant.

How You Can Help

I am reaching out to the Bangladeshi diaspora, philanthropists, and kind-hearted people who want to support research that can save lives.

With your help, I can:

✅ Travel to Oxford, Bangkok (MORU), and regular Bangladesh visit for crucial fieldwork

✅ Collect real-world data to train AI disease surveillance models

✅ Cover essential research and living expenses in the early phase of my PhD

My Financial Plan – Target: £20,000

With my unique situation, Oxford has granted me the flexibility to begin my research in Bangladesh, where I have been supporting myself for the first six months. However, my research requires extended stays in Oxford, Bangkok, and Bangladesh, which come with essential living, research, and travel expenses over the next 1.5 years. While I am applying for multiple grants, they will likely become available in my third year with uncertainty.

Living Expenses

Oxford Stay (2 terms, 6 months) → £1,400 per month (lowest amount) → £8,400

Bangkok Stay (4 terms, 12 months) → £1,000 per month → £12,000

Bangladesh Stay (3 to 4 terms) → £250 per month→ £1,000

Travel Costs

Dhaka to Oxford (2 return trips) → £2,200

Dhaka to Bangkok (2 return trips) → £600

Research Costs

High-resolution satellite imagery, in-depth interviews, and micro-climate data collection

Oxford will arrange up to £4,000, but I may need additional funds for efficient data collection.

Due to my split stay across Oxford, Bangkok, and Dhaka, I am ineligible for a UK student work permit, preventing me from earning through part-time work.

To continue my AI-driven dengue research without interruption, I am seeking a minimum £20,000 to cover my first 1.5 years of expenses.

Even a small contribution can make a big difference in ensuring my research continues. If you believe in AI for public health, climate resilience, and disease prevention, I would be deeply grateful for your support.

Thank you for believing in my journey. Your support will not only help me but pave the way for stronger disease surveillance in vulnerable communities worldwide.

#OxfordDPhil #AIforGood #ClimateChange #PublicHealth #Dengue #Malaria #GoFundMe #BangladeshiResearcher

With Gratitude,

Afrida Asad

Linkedin Profile

My Research: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Afrida-Asad

A glimpse into my journey and vibrant life—follow along on Instagram! ✨https://www.instagram.com/aaabinty/