I am writing you because a former student of yours, Sarder Arifuzzaman has applied to my

laboratory for graduate studies and he listed you as a reference. I was wondering if you would be
willing to answer a few questions regarding this student and his abilities.
 
Response: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to tell something about Sarder
Arifuzzaman, one my favorite student. It’s also my very pleasure to answer these questions about
him.

How long have you known Sarder and how do you know him? For example, did he ever work in
your lab?

Response: Thank you for your question. Please be informed that I know Sarder Arifuzzaman
from the very beginning his undergraduate study. Perhaps, so far I remember, it is since 2006. At
this time he was a just high school graduate. I found him every enthusiastic in research activities
and suggested him to participate in research in my Ethnopharmacology laboratory, Department
of Pharmacy, Jahangirnargar University. During his B. Pharm. and M.S. study he learned and
carried out experiment using several local herbal products. In particular, he studied the
toxicological parameters by applying them to mouse model. He got opportunity to contribute to
publish some articles in the local journal. As the output of research activities, he prepared two
theses. Please have look.

1. Azizur Rahman, SM Ruhul Amin, Alok Kumar Paul, M Zahid Alam, Sarder Arifuzzaman, Projjal
Kanti Biswas, MSK Choudhuri. Effect of Ganoderma lucidum (Fr.) Karst on Acute Metabolism.
Bangladesh J. Mushroom. 2(1): 21-26, 2008 (June)

Thesis:

1. M.S.: Toxicological studies of an ayurvedic medicine (Brihat Purnachandra Ras) used in lumbago

2. B. Pharm (Pharmacy): Toxicological Studies of an ayurvedic preparation (Rajah pravartini Vati)

used menstrual disorder.

Can you comment of Sarders abilities in the laboratory?

 
Response: Thank you for your question. It is really difficult to make comment on Arifuzzaman’s
abilities in s single sentence. Nevertheless, he is a quick learner, and very accountable and
responsible both in professional and academic life.

Do you think that Sarder is a good candidate for a PhD program?

Response: Thank you for your question. As you may aware PhD not only a mere degree, it is
achieved through enormous dedication and compassion. I strongly believe, within these years
Sarder achieves almost all the quality to be good candidate for PhD program. It would be very
good news for me if he would get chance to be a PhD student at your University.
Do you have any concerns with Sarder in the role of a graduate student? For example, do you
think he has the ability to work independently?

Response: Mr. Arifuzzaman demonstrated the ability to work independently with great creativity and
enthusiasm. He also put in many long hours. He worked as hard as my best graduate student. I believe,
Mr. Arifuzzaman has creative mind and independent work ethic. He read the literature independently and
generate interesting hypotheses.

Does Sarder work well in groups and with other lab members?
 
Response: I teamed Mr. Arifuzzaman with another student to work on a project involving preclinical and
clinical testing of several ayurvedic products. The project included recruiting patients, testing patients
using biomechanical instrumentation, and data analysis. Mr. Arifuzzaman excelled in each one of these
areas. His interpersonal skills were excellent. Sometimes this testing required long days due to the
extensive setup and calibration of equipment each morning before the clinic began operation. He stayed
after the testing sessions to back up data, clean up the area, and start data processing programs to run
overnight. He was usually the first one in the lab in the morning and the last to leave in the evening.

How would you rate Sarders written English from from 1-10 where 10 is the best and 1 worst?
 
Response: 8

Compared to other students that you have mentored, where would Sarder rank on a scale from 1-
10 where 10 is the best and 1 worst?

Response: Thank for your question. Rank: 8

 
Would you have Sarder work in your lab and if not why?

Response: