Dr. Nina Hoque (maiden name Nina Raqib, daughter of Dr. M. A. Raqib and Mrs. Hasina Raqib) was brought up in Dhaka, Bangladesh. She received her Bachelor’s of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka in 1992. That same year she left Bangladesh, accompanying her husband Dr. Ehsan Hoque to Japan, where she worked at Asahikawa Medical College and got her first taste of research work. After this experience, she decided to change her focus from clinical medicine to research. In 1995, she joined the University of Western Ontario, Canada as Research Associate and then Research Scientist, staying on until 2000. She completed her Master’s in Pharmacology and Toxicology from the University of Westen Ontario in 1998.

In 2001, Dr. Hoque moved to United States to join the pharmaceutical industry, and is presently working as a senior scientist at Bristol Myers Squibb in Connecticut. Over the years her research has focused on patho-physiology and pharmacology of ischemic heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases. Dr. Hoque is a dedicated researcher and enjoys doing science to the fullest. Besides her work, her personal interests include spending time with her two daughters Asahi (17 yrs) and Sofia (10 yrs), and helping Distressed Children & Infants International (DCI), which she co-founded. She is heavily involved in all aspects of DCI’s work and program development and is currently a director and chairman of the Board.

In Bangladesh, millions of people and innocent children die from lack of nutrition, shelter, health care, and clean water. Dr. Hoque grew up witnessing the suffering of these extremely poor people. Her heart has always had a warm spot for the underprivileged, especially the children who suffer the most. She is committed and motivated to provide quality education, healthcare and a hopeful life to the children of Bangladesh. Dr. Hoque wants to see the elimination of child labor and the exploitation of young children.