Actress Rafiath Rashid Mithila is beginning a new chapter in her professional life, leaving BRAC after two decades to join Columbia University as an Associate Research Scientist.
Mithila shared the news in a Facebook post, saying she is joining Columbia University’s Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research after spending 20 years with BRAC, including 15 years in international development with BRAC International.
At Columbia, she will lead and support the design and evaluation of the Early Childhood and Family Hub. The New York-based initiative focuses on early childhood development, family engagement and community health. It connects families and young children from birth to age five with essential resources and environments to help them thrive.
Mithila said she is honoured to bring her global experience to Columbia. She will work to align community priorities with research goals and generate evidence to advance evidence-based programming.
Alongside her new role at Columbia, Mithila has also started teaching at the City University of New York (CUNY) as an Adjunct Assistant Professor. She will teach nonprofit management, with the aim of giving students exposure to real-world nonprofit practices.
Reflecting on her departure from BRAC, Mithila expressed deep gratitude to the organisation for shaping her professional journey. She also said she is eager to collaborate with the research team at Columbia University and work within its research infrastructure and academic environment.
“Please keep me in your prayers,” Mithila wrote as she shared news of the new chapter in her career.
