High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC), he ran a Computational Proteomics program that ranged from wet lab research to in silico informatics. Alam and his team completed the genome sequencing of Idiomarina loihiensis, an ancient organism found in the hydrothermal vents of Kamaʻehuakanaloa (formerly Loihi) during a University of Hawaii expedition in 2003. In 2007, Alam worked in the Hawaii Papaya Genome Project which aimed to sequence the complete genome of the transgenic 'SunUp' papaya. The SunUp papaya was genetically modified to confer resistance to the Papaya ringspot virus, but Hawaiian farmers could not sell the transgenic papaya in Japan; Alam and his team sequenced the transgenic papaya to help the farmers get through the regulatory process. Alam set up the Center for Chemical Biology at Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2009. There he established research facilities, research programs, and worked on genome sequencing of rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis). Bangladesh Jute Genome Project In 2009, Alam joined the Basic and Applied Research on Jute Project of Jute Research Institute, Bangladesh, as principal investigator. He hoped genome sequencing of a cash crop like jute would help Bangladesh economically because jute can be made disease resistant if the genome sequence is known. Alam's team worked on genome sequencing of tossa jute (Corchorus olitorius O4) and in 2010, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina publicly announced that jute genome had been decoded and several patent applications would be filed. Alam's team went on to work on sequencing a jute attacking fungus (Macrophomina phaseolina) in 2012 and white jute (Corchorus capsularis CVL1) in 2013. Death On 20 December 2014, Alam died at the Queen's medical center, Honolulu, Hawaii. He was suffering from cirrhosis of the liver. On 23 December 2014, he was buried at Hawaii Memorial Park Cemetery as per his desire. Awards Alam was awarded excellence of research award from University of Hawaii in 2001, NIH Shannon Award in 1997, Humboldt Research Fellow in 1987 from German Science Foundation. In 2016, Alam was awarded Independence Day Award posthumously by the Government of Bangladesh. "Maqsudul Alam Graduate Research Award Fund" was created by University of Hawaii Foundation to support the education of graduate students and to honor Alam. Publications Book Chapters Synteny and Collinearity in Plant Genomes (2008). Protoglobin and globin-coupled sensors (2008). References 1954 births 2014 deaths Bangladeshi scientists Moscow State University alumni University of Hawaiʻi faculty Recipients of the Independence Day Award People from Madaripur District