SpaandanB US advisors
Advisors play a critical role in SpaandanB’s success by offering their strategic guidance, expertise, and support to help the organization achieve its mission of uplifting underprivileged communities in Bangladesh. They provide input on long-term goals, assist in shaping impactful programs, and ensure that activities align with SpaandanB’s vision of creating lasting change.
Leveraging their professional expertise, SpaandanB advisors guide initiatives like education, healthcare, and vocational training programs, offering innovative solutions and best practices. They also support fundraising efforts by connecting the organization to potential donors and advocating within their personal and professional networks. Acting as ambassadors, they promote SpaandanB’s mission and foster meaningful partnerships to expand the organization’s reach.Through their mentorship and program evaluation, they help ensure SpaandanB’s resources are utilized effectively, enhancing the impact of its programs. While not part of the governing body, SpaandanB’s advisors provide invaluable insights and guidance that strengthen the organization and help it thrive.
US ADVISORS
ahmed badruzzaman
chair
Dr. Ahmed Badruzzaman is a professional faculty member at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, specializing in sustainability. Born in Bangladesh, he is an American energy scientist with over 45 years of experience in research, development, and deployment of nuclear and petroleum technologies, as well as small energy systems suitable for developing countries. He earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1979.
After retiring from industrial research in 2012, Dr. Badruzzaman focused on exploring novel nuclear techniques to probe the subsurface, supporting the low-carbon energy transition. He also educates younger generations on this transition to mitigate climate change. Since 2016, he has been teaching the course “Energy and Civilization” at UC Berkeley, which he co-developed.
Dr. Badruzzaman has authored over 50 papers, holds two U.S. patents, and has an upcoming textbook on nuclear technologies. He is a Fellow of the American Nuclear Society and has received several technical awards from professional societies. He served as an editor of the journal *Petrophysics* and was a two-time Distinguished Lecturer/Speaker for both the Society of Petroleum Engineers and the Society of Petrophysicists and Well Log Analysts. Additionally, he has consulted for the International Atomic Energy Agency and reviewed reports for the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.
Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Badruzzaman is a strong supporter of the Bangla language initiative at UC Berkeley, leading a fundraiser that helped endow the program in 2013. He served on the first Advisory Board of the Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies during 2014-2015. A proponent of diversity and inclusion, he founded Chevron’s Asian Employee Network and led it for over ten years.
leena badruzzaman
member
Leena Badruzzaman is a multifaceted professional and community leader. She is a proud mother of three, a wife, a nuclear engineer, an insurance professional, and a passionate advocate for women and family issues. A graduate in Physics and Mathematics from SUNY Albany, she became the first Bangladeshi-origin woman to earn a Master’s in Nuclear Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1979. Her 20-year engineering career included roles in the nuclear power industry, the US Air Force Weapons Lab (where she organized the first Women Professionals Conference), and oil industry consultation.
Leena founded the Bangladesh Women’s Organization of California (BWOC) in 1998 to address the cultural and societal challenges faced by Bangladeshi women and their families in the U.S. She led the organization for a decade, helping families bridge cultural gaps. Currently, she works as a Financial Professional and Insurance Agent with New York Life Insurance Company, while also serving as President of the Bangladeshi Women Empowerment Network (BWEN).
yusuf haque
member
Dr. Yusuf Haque is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in the medical device and semiconductor industries. He is the Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Executive Vice President of Engineering at Exo Imaging Inc., a company based in Redwood City, California, that focuses on developing innovative medical imaging solutions.
Before co-founding Exo Imaging, Dr. Haque served as the CEO of SliceX/Crest Semiconductors, where he led the development of digital x-ray imagers for dental applications. Prior to that, he was the Managing Director and General Manager at Maxim Integrated, where he established a medical product line featuring an industry-leading digital x-ray imaging chipset, including a chip he personally designed.
In addition to his role at Exo Imaging, Dr. Haque is the CEO of Cinnabar Semiconductors Inc., located in Woodside, California. Cinnabar Semiconductors has been involved in developing technologies such as time-interleaved analog-to-digital converters.
Dr. Haque holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Carleton University and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University. He is a co-holder of 35 U.S. patents and has designed over 30 commercially sold integrated circuit products. Additionally, he has served on the Technical Program Committees of the IEEE for two decades, contributing significantly to advancements in his field.
mashuque rahman
member
Mashuqe Rahman is a seasoned professional with a distinguished career in the semiconductor industry. He has held significant roles, including serving as a Sales and Business Development Executive at Samsung Foundry in San Jose, California. Samsung Foundry is renowned for its advanced semiconductor manufacturing capabilities, offering a range of process technologies and design solutions.
Beyond his tenure at Samsung Foundry, Mr. Rahman is the founder of Green Quest, an organization dedicated to advancing the semiconductor industry. In this capacity, he has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at promoting the growth and development of the semiconductor sector.
Additionally, Mr. Rahman has been appointed as a member of a task force formed to advance the semiconductor industry in Bangladesh. This task force, led by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), aims to identify challenges in the semiconductor industry and propose solutions to foster its growth.
Throughout his career, Mr. Rahman has demonstrated a commitment to the advancement of semiconductor technologies and has played a pivotal role in bridging industry expertise across international borders.
Raquib Khan
member
Dr. Raquib Khan is a distinguished mechanical engineer and materials scientist with groundbreaking contributions to lubricant technology and tribology. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno, and holds 36 U.S. patents, along with numerous trade secrets related to lubricants, materials, and micro/nano tribological interfaces for computer disk drive applications.
His pioneering inventions include the world’s first high-volume production lubricants for super high-speed fluid dynamic bearings, now used in billions of hard drives worldwide. His research also advanced tribological material interfaces for extreme conditions, enabling high-speed, sub-micron tolerance fluid bearings in tiny motors for computers and large data centers.
Dr. Khan has been honored with the “Hall of Fame” award three times by Seagate Technology for his innovation and technological achievements. In addition to his role as Senior Principal Scientist at Seagate Technology, he has also served as an advisor for Samsung Inc., where he helped establish a Tribology lab in Korea focused on high-performance motor development.
Currently, Dr. Khan is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at San Jose State University. In his capacity, he actively contributes to the SpaandanB’s mission by participating in initiatives such as the “Gram Theke Shuru” program, which provides financial assistance and scholarships to underprivileged students and individuals in rural areas. His dedication to both technological innovation and social impact makes him a valuable contributor in both industry and philanthropy.
Samia ara
member
Samia Ara is a retired Civil Engineer specializing in “Geotechnical and Earthquake Engineering”. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) in 1986 and later completed a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Throughout her career, Samia played a key role in major infrastructure projects. She contributed to the seismic retrofit of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco and worked on numerous other bridges across the USA. She also helped design the seismic structure of the Jamuna Bridge in Bangladesh, one of the country’s most significant infrastructure projects. Additionally, she worked with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on transportation infrastructure projects.
Now retired, Samia Ara serves as an advisor for SpaandanB, where she supports initiatives aimed at improving education and social welfare for underprivileged communities. Her expertise and dedication continue to make a lasting impact on both engineering and philanthropy.
matlub ahmad
member
Dr. Matlub Ahmad is a professor in the Natural Sciences & Engineering Department at Black Hawk College in Moline, Illinois, where he teaches physics courses. He has been a resident of the Quad Cities area for over two decades, having moved from Bangladesh to the United States.
In 2023, Dr. Ahmad joined SpaandanB as an advisor. He is leading the effort to establish a vocational training center for underprivileged students served by SpaandanB school, helping to provide valuable skills and opportunities for their development.
His contributions to education and his work with SpaandanB highlight his dedication to both his field and the community.
Who We Are
SpaandanB is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization.
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Mission & Vision
Build a better Bangladesh through changes in quality of life of the less advantaged.
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How We Work
All project operations and activities within SpaandanB are decided by an Executive Committee.
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