Genomic Observatory is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research and training organization with a premise of promoting a culture of learning that generates opportunities through the exploration of the genome. In this age of DNA-based content identification and personalized medicine, there is an urgent need to expand this knowledge to a wider audience so that all may reap the available benefits. Understanding the genome means understanding our health. At Genomic Observatory, we embark on a journey through the intricate strands of DNA, exploring the co-evolution of genes, culture, and AI — driven by a commitment to critical thinking and participatory science. We invite students and citizen scientists to embark on their journey as Human Explorers, actively contributing to the unfolding narrative of what makes us human.
Our Strengths
Critical Thinking
We value intellectual rigor and challenge conventional wisdom to contribute meaningfully to the discourse on genes and cultural co-evolution.
Participatory Science
We believe in the power of hands-on research and education, inviting citizen scientists to explore their own path in genomics and understand what it means to be human.
Innovation
We embrace innovation in methodologies and technologies, aiming to stay at the forefront of genomics research and constantly seeking new approaches to decipher the genetic code.
The Team
Nasreen S. Haque, Ph.D.
Founder & CSO
Dr. Nasreen S. Haque is the Founder and CSO of Genomic Observatory, with over 23 years of teaching and research experience in molecular/cellular biology and biomedicine. She first got involved with marine research in 1989 and participated in a fish biodiversity expedition to India's Laccadive Islands while on the faculty of the National Institute of Oceanography in Goa, India. A Fellow of the Explorers Club since 2010, she carried the Club Flag for the "Global Biodiversity" expedition to Dwarka, India. Her discoveries in New York's Gowanus Canal show promise for development into new medication and have attracted media attention, including The New York Times.
She has developed programs to foster public education on underwater exploration and microbial diversity in partnership with the World Science Festival, City University of New York, and the American Museum of Natural History. Recognized as a "Notable Female Figure" by New York Medical College for identifying a novel cell type (mTregs) with the potential to offer new therapies, she recently created the participatory program "Evolutionary Map to Joy: A Human Explorer's Guide," offered internationally. Her newsletter, BioHumanism: Decoding Humanity, is on Substack.
Niloufar Haque, Ph.D.
President
Dr. Niloufar Haque is a Professor at the New York City College of Technology (City Tech) of the City University of New York. A neuroscientist with over 25 years of research and teaching experience in the biological sciences, she is recognized globally and has numerous publications in her field. She is devoted to student success, demonstrated in her development of innovative learning programs such as the annual "Brain Awareness Day" and "Know Your Body" that she organizes with students at City Tech — popular programs proven to increase student awareness, retention, and learning.
Bernie Chowdhury
Chief Operating Officer / Secretary
Bernie Chowdhury, BA, has participated in scientific/research diving on three continents and is a member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). He is best known for his critically acclaimed, international top-selling book, The Last Dive (HarperCollins, 2000), published in eleven languages and now in its 17th year in print. A diving instructor since 1988, he holds instructor ratings with DAN, PADI, NAUI, SDI, and TDI.
A popular speaker at conferences and dive shows across the U.S. and overseas, Bernie has been a Fellow of the Explorers Club since 1995 and has carried the Club Flag on two expeditions. He was a board-certified hyperbaric medical technologist (CHT-A) and served as Course Training Director for the Life Support Technologies group in Tarrytown, NY. He was named Beneath the Sea's 2001 Diver of the Year for Education, and in 2019 received the New York State Marine Education Association's Gene Ritter Aquatic Education Award for Extraordinary Service to Education.