About
Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury is currently serving as Professor and Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute (NHFHRI), Bangladesh. He graduated from Dhaka Medical College in 1988 and subsequently obtained his PhD in Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology from Shiga University of Medical Science, Japan, in 1996. He later earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Newcastle, Australia, in 2005.
Dr. Choudhury’s research focuses on cardiovascular disease (CVD) epidemiology, particularly the identification, prevention, and control of key risk factors. He is actively leading national-level hypertension control and tobacco control programs at NHFHRI, supported by international partners including Resolve to Save Lives, USA and Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids (CTFK).
He has established strong research collaborations with leading academic and public health institutions across the USA, UK, and Japan. In addition to his research leadership, Dr. Choudhury is actively involved in teaching epidemiology and research methodology to postgraduate students at several public health institutions in Bangladesh.
Dr. Choudhury was honored with the WHO SEARO Regional Director’s Special Recognition Award in 2021 for his outstanding contributions to tobacco control and also a recipient of 2022 Norm Campbell Award for population blood pressure control by World Hypertension League.
Research interests
- Cardiovascular disease epidemiology and prevention
- Non communicable Disease Prevention
- Tobacco control
Current projects
- Bloomberg Philanthropy: Grant for Tobacco Control from Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids (CTFK) USA: Engaging physicians and civil society for advocacy to expedite tobacco control law amendment process increase tobacco taxes and implementation of TC law.’’(NHF-Anti Tobacco) (Dec 2010 - Feb 2028)
- University of Cambridge UK. “BangladEsh Longitudinal Investigation of Emerging Vascular and nonvascular Events (BELIEVE) study. (Nov 2014 - Jun 2027)
- Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) USA: Strengthening of hypertension detection treatment and follow-up system at primary healthcare by implementing HEARTS package. (Oct 2018 - Sept 2027)
- BILL & MELINDA GATES foundation. Large Scale Food Fortification Country Advocacy Bangladesh. (May 2023 - Oct 2026)
- Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) USA. Scaling up Implementation of anti-hypertensive medication refilling through community clinics to increase blood pressure control in three districts of Bangladesh (Aug 2025 – Jan 2027)
- Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) USA. Engaging stakeholders for implementation of TFA regulation in Bangladesh (Aug 2025 – Jan 2027)
- Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) USA. The Impact of Low-Sodium Salt Use on Serum Potassium Levels Among Bangladeshi Hypertensive Patients (April 2026 – Sept 2027)
- Johns Hopkins University USA CB-HEARTS Integrated Community Refilling Demonstration Project. (Aug 2026 – July 2027)
- Vital Strategies USA. Strengthening Tobacco Cessation Counselling at Primary Health Care Facilities using WHO 2AR-based Model. (Sept 2026 – Aug 2028)
