Guided by lived experience & microbiological science.
Afnan Alam Promi is an undergraduate student in microbiology at BRAC University in Bangladesh, driving change at the intersection of public health, education, and social equity.
Academic & Leadership Background
Academic: Undergraduate in Microbiology, BRAC University
Role: Founder & Project Lead, Project CleanCycle
Affiliation: Millennium Fellowship Class of 2026 (MCN & UNAI)
Focus Areas: Microbial Hygiene, Bio-Absorbents, Public Policy
“I know what it feels like to manage a period with worry.”
Growing up in Bangladesh, menstrual health was a topic discussed only in hushed whispers. Like millions of girls across our nation, I experienced first-hand the anxiety of managing periods in spaces without safe hygiene facilities, reliable supplies, or candid scientific guidance.
Connecting Laboratory Science with Community Health
When I began studying microbiology, looking down the microscope at opportunistic pathogens like Candida and Staphylococcus transformed how I saw everyday menstrual taboos. I realized that thousands of girls suffer chronic reproductive infections not because their bodies are weak, but because our culture forces them to hide damp cloths in dark corners where microbes thrive. The science is clear, and the solution is achievable through knowledge and access.
Listening Without Judgment
Real change begins when young girls feel safe enough to ask honest questions without fear of mockery or shame. Project CleanCycle was founded on a simple principle: combine rigorous scientific rigor with boundless empathy, creating supportive spaces where every girl learns that her period is healthy, natural, and dignified.