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  • From Factory Worker to Infectious Diseases Scientist: The Story of OUCRU Indonesia’s Suwarti

    From Factory Worker to Infectious Diseases Scientist: The Story of OUCRU Indonesia’s Suwarti

    Suwarti is a scientist at OUCRU Indonesia who specialises in clinical laboratory research. Her work involves detecting diseases, tracking how pathogens evolve, and studying how the human body responds to infections.

    Over the past seven years, Suwarti has been a key contributor to many major research projects, including the unit’s critical work on Covid-19 and broader pandemic preparedness. Her more current research focuses on testing the body’s reactions to Covid-19, Mpox, and bird flu vaccines, as well as identifying patterns of leptospirosis outbreak in Jakarta.

    With a PhD and a lead researcher role, many people would be surprised to learn that Suwarti’s career began on the floor of a spice manufacturing factory, not in clinical research.

    A humble beginning

    One of Suwarti’s first jobs was supervising quality control at a spice manufacturing factory. It was a sensible choice at the time. With a bachelor’s degree in Food Technology, her motivation was strictly pragmatic: to earn as much money as possible.

    Born as the youngest of ten children, Mba Ati, as she is affectionately called in the office, came from a modest family. Her father worked as a manual labourer, while her mother was a domestic helper.

    She knew early on that she wanted a better life for herself and her family. “I didn’t want to remain poor. I wanted to live comfortably. I realised this when I was still in middle school, after seeing how children from higher-income families lived,” Suwarti recalled.

    Suwarti as a kid in 1982.

    Luckily, her parents placed great importance on formal education and supported her as far as they could. That support carried Suwarti through university, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Institut Pertanian Bogor (IPB) in 2004.

    But once she had started working and earning, a persistent question started to bug her mind: “What now? What is next for me?”

    Turning to a life in academia

    During her undergraduate studies at IPB, Suwarti was known for being studious with a gift in biochemistry. It was this reputation that led the supervisor of her undergraduate research to reach out to her with an offer to work at a laboratory at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (Lembaga Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia – LIPI).

    The work involved engineering plants to produce essential human proteins and ensuring they function exactly like those found naturally in the human body. These plant-grown proteins could provide treatments for people with a range of medical conditions.

    Such a project was new and exciting for Suwarti, but the salary would be half of what she was earning at the factory. However, the offer included a master’s degree scholarship supported by LIPI, and Suwarti found the challenge more appealing than her monotonous factory work – saying yes felt like the sensible choice for her.

    So she took the job, and before long found herself working in LIPI’s laboratory while pursuing a master’s degree in Biology at Universitas Indonesia on scholarship.

    Suwarti with her classmates at IPB in 2001.

    From there, one opportunity opened the door to the next. That master’s degree eventually led to another scholarship, this time to pursue a PhD in Life Sciences at Hokkaido University in Hokaido, Japan, while working at National Institute for Material Science in a different city Tsukuba. Her doctoral project investigated how extremely small materials, known as nanomaterials, could be used to help vaccines work better in strengthening the body’s immune responses.

    After graduating, she spent a few more years as a postdoctoral researcher in Japan, helping to develop a new type of TB vaccine by building on her doctoral research on vaccine nanomaterials.

    Looking back, Suwarti sees that her decision to leave a stable, better-paying job to pursue higher education and health research was shaped less by calculation and more by long-standing, indirect influence of her mother.

    Suwarti and her mother in 2014.

    Ibu Iyah, Suwarti’s mother, had completed only elementary school, yet she was deeply curious about the world. In one of the households where she worked as a domestic helper, there was a subscription to Kartini magazine, a long-running Indonesian women’s magazine that covers social issues, public figures, and ideas about education and progress. She read it whenever she could, and sometimes read articles aloud to her daughter.

    “My mother would easily recognise public figures, like prime ministers and business people, featured in the magazine, and talk about things she read in the news,” Suwarti recalled. “For someone with her educational background, her knowledge and curiosity were remarkable. If she had been given the right opportunities, she would have had a very different career.”

    That curiosity was passed down to Suwarti. From a young age, she liked reading the newspapers and was considered the most studious among her siblings.

    “I was never one of the top students in the high-school where the bright students were competing,” she said. “But I have always been curious and confident, and I knew that education is one profound way to change one’s social standing.”

    This confidence eventually led Suwarti to take risks, like accepting the offer from LIPI, and set her on a path in science.

    Breaking glass ceilings in pursuit of science

    Suwarti knew she was not choosing an easy life in academia.

    Around the time she joined LIPI, she also got married and then became pregnant not long after. The timing meant that several major responsibilities arrived at once.

    “I was working full time at the laboratory in Cibinong while studying at Universitas Indonesia in Depok,” Suwarti said. “I was pregnant at the time, and later caring for a newborn. Going back and forth between home, the workplace, and campus in three different cities was my daily routine. Exhausted doesn’t even capture how I felt.”

    Suwarti graduated around the same time her project with LIPI came to an end. She was unemployed for a period before another opportunity came her way, this time to pursue a doctoral research project in Japan. She jumped at it.

    The transition was not easy. For the first 1.5 years, she had to leave her husband and her four-year-old son behind in Indonesia because she could not afford to bring them with her. Her only option was to travel back and forth between Japan and Indonesia whenever she could.

    Eventually, circumstances shifted. Her husband also received a scholarship to pursue higher education in Japan. He brought their child with him, and for about five years, the family lived together there.

    When asked how she managed to endure those years, Suwarti pointed to the ability to multitask. “I believe women are great at multitasking because we have to be,” she said. “We juggle many things at once, domestic responsibilities, child-rearing, even breastfeeding, all on top of work.”

    But multitasking alone was not enough, Suwarti admitted. She was also ambitious. “I am the type of person who aims high. I dare to dream big,” she said. “I deeply believe when you intently set your eyes on something, the universe will follow.”

    Still, portraying her journey as a purely individual effort would be untrue. Suwarti consistently received support from the people around her. Her husband shared household responsibilities and fully supported her career. Her mother also helped with daily chores and childcare, especially in the period before Suwarti and her family moved to Japan and after she returned to Indonesia.

    “Women don’t have it easy in STEM,” she acknowledged. “That is why you must be intentional about the life you build and choose a partner who truly shares your goals. My husband does that, and along with my mother, they support my dreams in tangible ways”

    Living a life of impact at OUCRU Indonesia

    After Suwarti and her husband completed their respective studies in Japan, the family returned to Indonesia. Not long after settling back home, Suwarti found an opportunity to work with OUCRU Indonesia, where she now dedicates her postdoctoral research career.

    At OUCRU Indonesia, she has contributed to several major research projects, including SEACOVARIANTS, DETECSI, INACO, INTERACT, and IMOVA. These projects study different pathogens including covid-19, leptospirosis, HIV, and Mpox.

    Suwarti and a colleague at IMERI FMUI laboratory.

    “My greatest passion is conducting research that has practical and immediate impact for society. I believe much of my work with OUCRU Indonesia has been pragmatic,” Suwarti said. Studies like SEACOVARIANTS aim to strengthen pandemic preparedness, while INTERACT focuses on rapid HIV diagnosis for vulnerable populations. “Ultimately, I want my work to make a real difference for others.”

    In her work, Suwarti collaborates closely with multiple departments across OUCRU Indonesia and leads a team of six people, most of whom are women. But Suwarti never wants them follow in their footsteps. “I want them to learn from my experience, but not to imitate it. I want young scientists, especially women, to discover their own strengths and build their own paths in science,” she said.

    Suwarti’s growth as a researcher and leader was also shaped by training and mentorship supported by OUCRU Indonesia and its partners. She joined the Make A Difference (MAD) programme, which helped her rethink how she leads and works with others. Suwarti is also participating in the ISARIC Leadership Programme, a global initiative that empowers mid-career female researchers from low- and middle-income countries to become independent research leaders.

    Suwarti with her team.

    Suwarti is also part of the MORU–OUCRU Discovery Research Academy (MODRA), a regional training programme for postdoctoral scientists in Asia. Through MODRA, she will receive seed funding to explore a new method for detecting leptospirosis that could be faster and more practical than standard PCR tests, especially in resource-limited settings. Specifically, her research aims to develop a LAMP-based test with a lateral flow system, similar to a rapid test strip, so leptospirosis can be detected more easily outside sophisticated laboratories.

    Suwarti’s long-term research goal is to improve how febrile illnesses are diagnosed across Indonesia, not just leptospirosis. She wants to help health facilities identify the causes of fever using diagnostic tools or panels that are accurate, practical, and cost-effective. “Febrile illness is very common, and it can be caused by many things, including different viruses and bacteria,” she said. “I want to find an easy and accessible way to diagnose these diseases to improve treatment and outcome. That is my vision for this country.”

    Suwarti is no longer the same person she was when she worked at the factory, but at her core she remains the same: driven by her care for the people around her. Years ago, that purpose was simple and personal, to build a better life for her family. Today, at OUCRU Indonesia, she works to create a better life for Indonesians and beyond.

  • Why the Way We Use Antibiotics Matters More Than We Think

    Why the Way We Use Antibiotics Matters More Than We Think

    A closer look at everyday antibiotic use and caregiving in rural communities in Vietnam.

    What is antimicrobial resistance?

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites no longer respond to medicines designed to kill them [1]. As a result, antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs become less effective, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of severe illness and spread. Contrary to popular belief that people become “resistant” to antibiotics, it is the microorganisms (e.g. bacteria) that adapt and survive exposure to these drugs. The more frequently antimicrobials are used, especially when they are used unnecessarily or incorrectly, the greater the opportunity for resistant strains to emerge and spread [1].

    The scale of the global problem

    Antimicrobial resistance is already a major global health threat. In 2019, nearly 5 million deaths worldwide were associated with bacterial AMR, including 1.27 million deaths directly caused by drug-resistant infections [2]. Many of these deaths were linked to common illnesses, such as lower respiratory infections, and familiar bacteria like Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. These figures show that AMR is closely connected to everyday healthcare, not just rare diseases or hospital settings. 

    Because of its scale and complexity, AMR has been identified as a global problem that demands a global response. However, while scientific research is essential, efforts to control resistance must also consider the social and healthcare contexts in which antibiotics are used [3].

    Antibiotic use in everyday healthcare

    In many parts of the world, antibiotics are not used only in hospitals or prescribed strictly by doctors. Instead, they are often accessed through informal or semi-formal healthcare settings, including pharmacies and drug sellers, and are commonly used to manage everyday symptoms such as coughs, colds, or fevers [4,5]. Decisions about antibiotic use are rarely based on medical knowledge alone. They are shaped by practical concerns, such as cost, convenience, time, access to healthcare, social expectations and caregiving responsibilities within families [4,5,6]. In these situations, uncertainty, worry, and the fear of delaying treatment often influence choices, especially when caregivers feel responsible for protecting their family’s health.

    Recognising the urgent need to better understand how antimicrobial resistance develops beyond laboratories and hospitals, Collab Lab has chosen to animate a relevant study – “Dilemmas of care: Healthcare seeking behaviours and antibiotic use among women in rural communities in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam.” The research looks at how women, who are often the primary caregivers in their families, navigate healthcare decisions and antibiotic use in rural settings [6]. 

    Through this project, we hope to spark curiosity and conversation about antimicrobial resistance and encourage young audiences to think more deeply about how science, society, and everyday choices are connected.

    Stay tuned for the next episode of Collab Lab!

    References

    1. World Health Organization. Antimicrobial resistance. World Health Organization. Published November 21, 2023. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/antimicrobial-resistance

    2. Antimicrobial Resistance Collaborators. Global Burden of Bacterial Antimicrobial Resistance in 2019: a Systematic Analysis. The Lancet. 2022;399(10325):629-655. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)02724-0

    3. Wellcome Funding. What is antimicrobial resistance – and how do we prevent it? | News and reports | Wellcome. Wellcome. Published May 21, 2024. https://wellcome.org/insights/articles/what-antimicrobial-resistance-and-how-do-we-prevent-it

    4. Denyer Willis L, Chandler C. Quick fix for care, productivity, hygiene and inequality: reframing the entrenched problem of antibiotic overuse. BMJ Global Health. 2019;4(4):e001590. doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2019-001590

    5. Rodrigues CF. Self-medication with antibiotics in Maputo, Mozambique: practices, rationales and relationships. Palgrave Communications. 2020;6(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-019-0385-8

    6. Nguyen YHT, van Doorn R, Van Nuil JI, Lewycka S. Dilemmas of care: Healthcare seeking behaviours and antibiotic use among women in rural communities in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam. Social Science & Medicine. 2024;363:117483. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117483

  • EQUIPSEA: Recognising the people behind-the-science

    EQUIPSEA: Recognising the people behind-the-science

    In research, attention is often focused on scientists and scientific impact. But behind every grant and every partnership is work that is less visible and just as critical: people managing funding, budgets, contracts and keeping everything on track from the first grant application to the final report.  

    In February 2026, 75 of these professionals, including 67 trainees and 8 trainers, gathered in Ho Chi Minh City for something rare: a workshop designed specifically for them.  

    “I’ve been doing this work for years,” shared Ms Lê Duyên Ân, Head of Procurement and Logistics at OUCRU, “but I learned a lot on the job. There has been quite little training on how procurement fits into the research cycle, or how people across disciplines can work together more effectively throughout that cycle.”

    That’s the reality across much of Southeast Asia. Research and grant management are emerging professions here. Many people juggle these responsibilities alongside other official roles, without formal training or clear career pathways. This is not a lack of capability, but a lack of investment in a profession that is essential to modern research. 

    Meanwhile, international funders increasingly expect stronger systems: due diligence, financial management, governance, reporting, and compliance. When local institutions fail to demonstrate these capacities, they struggle to attract funding and lead research projects, even when scientific expertise is clearly there.

    Over time, this influences who holds responsibility, who makes decisions and who is seen as ready to lead. 

    The Equitable Research Partnership: Initiative in Providing International Research Management Skill Sets in South East Asia programme, or EQUIPSEA, was designed to respond to this reality. It aims to underline research and grant management not just as support staff, but as a core part of research leadership. 

    Over 12 months, the organisers consulted with international experts and then ran a regional needs assessment to understand what people actually need. The result was a three-and-a-half-day workshop focused on practical realities of research management: grant and finance management, budgeting, institutional styles and policies, effective communication, contracts, intellectual property, and Good Financial Grant Practice standard (GFGP).

    Every session was designed around real challenges participants face daily, with the principle that “Everyone is a teacher – Everyone is a learner.”

    “An important and distinctive feature of the workshop is that the agenda and the content is created in response to the needs of the participants, based on the information they provide during registration.

    This approach puts the focus on what is most useful for the attendees, to support them in more confidently tackling the challenges they face in their day-to-day professional roles.”

    Ms Mary Ryan, International Research Development Manager, University of Glasgow, United Kingdom.

    Perhaps the most valuable part wasn’t the formal sessions. It was discovering that others were navigating the same obstacles, that the workarounds you invented weren’t unique, that the expertise in the room was deeper than anyone realised. Participants left with more skills, confidence, and a community of peers they can call on long after the workshop ends.

    “Having a history of more than 35 years and thanks to our affiliation with the University of Oxford, OUCRU has a dedicated grant management system and an excellent team. However, such support is missing in most research institutions and universities in Vietnam. This situation is common across Southeast Asia and negatively impacts equitable research partnerships.

    Our workshop was an initiative to improve this situation, and it was successful beyond my expectations. I believe a series of workshops providing international research management skills is essential and urgently required to significantly improve the research culture in Southeast Asian countries.”

    Assoc Prof Ngô Thị Hoa, Head of Zoonoses Group, OUCRU Vietnam.

    By investing in research and grant management capacity, EQUIPSEA contributes to more equitable research partnerships across low- and middle-income countries. When local institutions can manage funding confidently, they are better positioned to lead collaborations, shape research agendas and share ownership more fairly.

    Over time, this strengthens not only individual projects, but the wider research ecosystem across Southeast Asia.

    About EQUIPSEA

    The EQUIPSEA programme was funded by the British Academy and codeveloped by partners affiliated with the University of Oxford (Assoc Prof Ngô Thị Hoa, Ms Genevieve Kiff, Ms Duyen Nguyen, Mr Paul Miki Carvalho, Ms Laura Scifo) and the University of Glasgow (Ms Mary Ryan) in the United Kingdom, Universiti Putra Malaysia (Assoc Prof Mohamad Faizal Bin Ibrahim), and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) (Assoc Prof Ngô Thị Hoa, Dr Nguyễn Trung Thành, Mr Nguyễn Xuân Trường) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. 

    The EQUIPSEA trainers leading the sessions: (top row, left to right) Assoc Prof Ngô Thị Hoa, Ms Mary Ryan, Ms Genevieve Kiff; (Bottom row, left to right) Mr Paul Miki Carvalho, Ms Duyen Nguyen and Ms Laura Scifo.

    The EQUIPSEA workshop generated significant regional interest, attracting 165 applicants from across South and Southeast Asia, including research scientists, support staff, and grant managers. From this competitive pool, 67 participants were selected based on the excellence and relevance of their professional profiles. 

    Our selection strategy was intentionally multidimensional to ensure a truly inclusive impact. We balanced geographic representation across the region with a diverse range of host institutions and sectors within grant and finance management. To foster the next generation of leaders, we prioritised a mix of seniority, welcoming junior members alongside seasoned professionals.  

    Furthermore, the scope was expanded beyond biomedical research to encompass various scientific disciplines, with gender balance serving as a core consideration throughout. To support this diverse cohort, 30 participants (including 11 from Vietnam and 19 international) were fully funded by the British Academy, with the remainder receiving partial funding. 

    EQUIPSEA trainee distribution by country

    The cohort comprises a diverse, multidisciplinary network spanning research institutes, Ministries of Agriculture, universities, and tertiary hospitals. The workshop achieved significant regional reach: nearly half of the participants (43%; 29/67) represented the Southeast Asian and South Asian nations of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Nepal. The remaining 57% were drawn from diverse geographical areas across Vietnam, ensuring a comprehensive national and international exchange of research management best practices. 

    Closing the event, Assoc Prof Ngô Thị Hoa emphasised the collaborative nature of the initiative: “The success of the EQUIPSEA workshop is due to the generous support of the British Academy and OUCRU… together, we are building a stronger research culture in Southeast Asia.”

    Her remarks highlighted a key theme of the week: that regional scientific excellence depends as much on administrative stewardship as it does on laboratory skills. 

    Testimonials

    “The workshop has brought me new knowledge and skills; it was worth every penny I spent.” 

    Dr Tống Thị Lan Chi, Tay Nguyen University, Vietnam.

    “Duplicate this kind of action to continue knowledge sharing, develop networking and collaboration to address common challenges, and online meetings could work. Many thanks for this valuable initiative.” 

    A participant from Cambodia.

    “Please make another workshop like this for more research support. This encourages us and values insight and knowledge, and also increases our confidence despite feeling ‘we are just supporting’. Thank you very much for the great workshop! Congratulations.” 

    A participant from Indonesia.

  • Professor Sir Nicholas White OBE KCMG FRS

    Professor Sir Nicholas White OBE KCMG FRS

    Nick White adalah Profesor Kedokteran Tropis di University of Oxford dan Mahidol University, Tailan. Ia merupakan tokoh sentral dalam pengembangan Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) di Tailan serta Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) di Vietnam. Sepanjang kariernya, upaya-upaya ini mendapat dukungan berkelanjutan dari Wellcome Trust.

    Sejak kedatangannya di Tailan pada 1980, Nick terlibat langsung dalam membangun MORU menjadi pusat unggulan penelitian klinis malaria dan penyakit infeksi lainnya. Ia bekerja melalui kemitraan jangka panjang dengan rumah sakit, klinisi, dan peneliti setempat. Upaya ini kemudian berlanjut dengan pendirian OUCRU pada 1991. Di bawah kepemimpinan ilmiahnya, MORU dan OUCRU dikenal secara global atas penelitian klinis yang menggabungkan ketelitian metodologis dengan relevansi langsung bagi perawatan pasien.

    Nick diakui secara internasional sebagai pakar terkemuka dalam terapi malaria. Ia berperan besar dalam mengubah kebijakan kesehatan global. Pada masa ketika resistensi terhadap obat antimalaria yang ada mengancam kemanjuran obat, Nick memimpin tim yang menghasilkan bukti-bukti klinis melalui berbagai uji klinis tingkat multinasional. Bukti-bukti inilah yang menjadi dasar penggunaan obat berbasis artemisinin di seluruh dunia.

    Bersama mitra lokal, termasuk Hospital for Tropical Diseases dan Profesor Tran Tinh Hien, ia mengembangkan landasan teori dan bukti untuk terapi kombinasi berbasis artemisinin yang kini menjadi standar pengobatan malaria Plasmodium falciparum, serta penggunaan artesunat intravena untuk malaria berat. Terapi-terapi ini telah digunakan pada lebih dari satu miliar pasien dan menyelamatkan jutaan nyawa. Dampak karyanya terus membentuk praktik klinis hingga hari ini.

    Kontribusi Nick terhadap penguatan kapasitas riset kesehatan di Vietnam disampaikan oleh Dr Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Wakil Kepala Dinas Kesehatan Kota Ho Chi Minh.

    “Profesor Sir Nicholas White bukan hanya seorang ilmuwan yang luar biasa, tetapi juga salah satu pendiri utama kolaborasi jangka panjang antara University of Oxford dan Hospital for Tropical Diseases di Kota Ho Chi Minh. Melalui kemurahan hati, visi, dan komitmennya dalam jangka panjang, ia membantu membangun komunitas ilmiah internasional yang berkelanjutan di OUCRU, yang berlandaskan kepercayaan dan saling menghormati. Bagi para dokter Vietnam, ia bukan hanya mentor dan rekan kerja, tetapi sahabat seumur hidup yang sangat kami hargai.”

    Minat ilmiah Nick meluas ke berbagai penyakit infeksi lain yang memiliki dampak besar bagi kesehatan masyarakat, termasuk demam berdarah, melioidosis, tifoid, dan tetanus. Dalam semua bidang tersebut, penelitiannya selalu berlandaskan pengamatan klinis yang cermat dan berfokus pada solusi praktis yang memberikan dampak maksimal terhadap kesehatan. Pendekatannya yang pragmatis memastikan bahwa temuannya dapat diterapkan dalam kondisi nyata, khususnya di lingkungan dengan sumber daya terbatas. Ia juga memberikan kontribusi penting bagi layanan kesehatan selama pandemi COVID-19.

    Nick menempatkan pelatihan dan kolaborasi sebagai prioritas utama. Sepanjang kariernya, ia mendukung dan membimbing ratusan klinisi dan ilmuwan, terutama di Asia Tenggara, selagi memperkuat kapasitas riset lokal dan kerja sama internasional. Banyak orang yang dibimbingnya kemudian memimpin program riset mereka sendiri, cerminan komitmen jangka panjang Nick dalam membangun kemitraan ilmiah yang berkelanjutan dan memberdayakan rekan-rekannya untuk menjadi pemimpin di bidangnya.

    Nick bekerja di Nepal sejak 1974 selama kurang lebih enam tahun, dan tetap menjalin hubungan yang erat dengan negara tersebut hingga akhir hayatnya melalui kunjungan rutin. Dalam rentang waktu yang panjang ini, ia memberikan pengaruh yang signifikan dan positif bagi OUCRU Nepal, terutama dalam membentuk pendekatan kerja sama dengan mitra pemerintah serta memperkuat keterlibatan internasional.

    Nick menulis atau menjadi penulis bersama lebih dari 1.300 publikasi ilmiah yang telah ditelaah sejawat. Ia juga berkontribusi secara luas pada berbagai badan penasihat internasional, termasuk milik Organisasi Kesehatan Dunia (WHO). Pencapaiannya diakui melalui berbagai penghargaan, antara lain Fellow of the Royal Society dan pengangkatannya sebagai Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. Ia juga menerima Canada Gairdner Global Health Award pada 2010 serta Prince Mahidol Award dari Tailan pada 2011.

    Komitmen Nick yang berkelanjutan dan pemahaman mendalamnya tentang konteks lokal telah berkontribusi besar pada perubahan global yang bermakna dan bertahan lama. Warisannya tercermin dalam terapi yang kini digunakan di seluruh dunia, unit riset dan kolaborasi yang ia bantu dirikan, serta banyak kolega dan murid yang dipengaruhi oleh karyanya. Ia akan dikenang dengan penuh kasih, rasa hormat, dan penghargaan oleh semua yang pernah bekerja bersamanya, dan kepergiannya akan sangat dirasakan.

    OUCRU menyampaikan belasungkawa sedalam-dalamnya kepada keluarga, sahabat, dan rekan-rekannya.

  • Giáo sÆ°, Hiệp sÄ© Nicholas White qua đời

    Giáo sư, Hiệp sĩ Nicholas White qua đời

    Giáo sư Nick White là Giáo sư Y học Nhiệt đới tại Đại học Oxford (Anh) và Đại học Mahidol (Thái Lan). Ông đóng vai trò then chốt trong quá trình phát triển Đơn vị Nghiên cứu Y học Nhiệt đới Mahidol-Oxford (MORU) tại Thái Lan và Đơn vị Nghiên cứu Lâm sàng Đại học Oxford (OUCRU) tại Việt Nam, dưới sự hỗ trợ từ Quỹ Wellcome.

    Từ khi đến Thái Lan vào năm 1980, ông đã hợp tác chặt chẽ với các bệnh viện và chuyên gia bản địa để xây dựng MORU thành trung tâm hàng đầu về nghiên cứu lâm sàng sốt rét và các bệnh truyền nhiễm. Năm 1991, ông tiếp tục mở rộng quy mô hoạt động với việc thành lập OUCRU tại Việt Nam. Dưới sự dẫn dắt của ông, cả MORU và OUCRU đã trở thành những đơn vị nghiên cứu uy tín quốc tế, nổi bật với các thử nghiệm lâm sàng có tính thực tiễn cao trong chăm sóc bệnh nhân.

    Giáo sư Nick White được thế giới công nhận là chuyên gia hàng đầu về điều trị sốt rét với những đóng góp làm thay đổi chính sách y tế toàn cầu. Trong bối cảnh tình trạng kháng thuốc gia tăng, ông đã dẫn dắt các thử nghiệm lâm sàng đa quốc gia, tạo tiền đề khoa học cho việc áp dụng rộng rãi thuốc Artemisinin.

    Tại Việt Nam, ông cùng các đối tác tại Bệnh viện Bệnh Nhiệt đới và Giáo sư Trần Tịnh Hiền, đã xây dựng cơ sở lý luận và bằng chứng khoa học cho việc triển khai các liệu pháp phối hợp dựa trên Artemisinin. Đây hiện là tiêu chuẩn điều trị đối với sốt rét do Plasmodium falciparum, và sử dụng Artesunate đường tĩnh mạch cho bệnh nhân sốt rét nặng. Những phác đồ này đã được áp dụng cho hơn một tỷ người, cứu sống hàng triệu bệnh nhân và tiếp tục định hình thực hành lâm sàng trên toàn thế giới.

    Đóng góp của Giáo sư Nick White đối với năng lực nghiên cứu y tế của Việt Nam đã được ghi nhận bởi Tiến sĩ Nguyễn Văn Vĩnh Châu, Phó Giám đốc Sở Y tế Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh:

    “Giáo sư, Hiệp sĩ Nicholas White không chỉ là một nhà khoa học xuất sắc, mà còn là một trong những người đặt nền móng quan trọng cho mối quan hệ hợp tác bền vững giữa Đại học Oxford và Bệnh viện Bệnh Nhiệt đới Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. Với sự hào phóng, tầm nhìn và cam kết lâu dài, ông đã góp phần xây dựng một cộng đồng khoa học quốc tế vững mạnh tại OUCRU, dựa trên nền tảng của sự tin cậy và tôn trọng lẫn nhau. Đối với các bác sĩ Việt Nam, ông không chỉ là người thầy, người cộng sự, mà còn là một người bạn tri kỷ gắn bó suốt đời.”

    Bên cạnh sốt rét, mối quan tâm khoa học của Giáo sư Nick White còn mở rộng sang nhiều bệnh truyền nhiễm có ý nghĩa lớn đối với sức khỏe cộng đồng, bao gồm sốt xuất huyết, melioidosis, thương hàn và uốn ván. Trong tất cả các lĩnh vực này, nghiên cứu của ông luôn xuất phát từ quan sát lâm sàng cẩn trọng và tập trung vào các giải pháp thực tiễn nhằm tạo ra tác động lớn nhất đối với kết quả điều trị. Cách tiếp cận thực tế của ông giúp các phát hiện khoa học có thể được áp dụng hiệu quả trong điều kiện thực tế, đặc biệt tại những quốc gia có nguồn lực hạn chế. Trong đại dịch COVID-19, ông cũng tiếp tục có những đóng góp quan trọng cho lĩnh vực y tế.

    Giáo sư Nick White đặc biệt coi trọng công tác đào tạo và hợp tác. Trong suốt sự nghiệp của mình, ông đã hỗ trợ và hướng dẫn hàng trăm bác sĩ và nhà khoa học, đặc biệt tại khu vực Đông Nam Á, góp phần nâng cao năng lực nghiên cứu tại địa phương song song với việc thúc đẩy hợp tác quốc tế. Nhiều học trò và cộng sự của ông sau này đã trở thành những nhà lãnh đạo các chương trình nghiên cứu độc lập, phản ánh cam kết lâu dài của ông trong việc xây dựng các mối quan hệ khoa học bền vững và trao quyền cho thế hệ kế cận.

    Giáo sư Nick White làm việc tại Nepal từ năm 1974 trong khoảng sáu năm và duy trì mối liên hệ gắn bó với quốc gia này thông qua các chuyến thăm thường xuyên. Trong suốt quãng thời gian dài này, ông đã có những ảnh hưởng tích cực và sâu sắc đối với OUCRU Nepal, đặc biệt trong việc định hình cách tiếp cận hợp tác với các cơ quan chính phủ và tăng cường kết nối quốc tế.

    Ông là tác giả hoặc đồng tác giả của hơn 1.300 công trình khoa học được bình duyệt, đồng thời tham gia sâu rộng vào các hội đồng tư vấn quốc tế, trong đó có Tổ chức Y tế Thế giới. Những đóng góp xuất sắc của ông được ghi nhận thông qua nhiều danh hiệu và giải thưởng cao quý, bao gồm việc được bầu làm Viện sĩ Viện Hàn lâm Khoa học Hoàng gia Anh, được phong tước Hiệp sĩ Chỉ huy Huân chương Thánh Michael và Thánh George, Giải thưởng Y tế Toàn cầu Canada Gairdner năm 2010 và Giải thưởng Prince Mahidol của Thái Lan năm 2011.

    Sự gắn bó lâu dài cùng sự thấu hiểu sâu sắc bối cảnh địa phương của Giáo sư Nick White đã góp phần tạo nên những thay đổi có ý nghĩa và bền vững trên toàn cầu. Di sản của ông được thể hiện qua các phác đồ điều trị hiện đang được áp dụng rộng rãi trên thế giới, qua những đơn vị nghiên cứu và mối quan hệ hợp tác mà ông góp phần xây dựng, cũng như qua các thế hệ đồng nghiệp và học trò chịu ảnh hưởng từ công trình khoa học của ông. Ông sẽ luôn được tưởng nhớ với niềm kính trọng, yêu mến và biết ơn sâu sắc, và sự ra đi của ông để lại khoảng trống to lớn đối với những người từng làm việc cùng ông.

    OUCRU xin gửi lời chia buồn sâu sắc nhất tới gia đình, bạn bè và đồng nghiệp của Giáo sư, Hiệp sĩ Nicholas White.

  • Professor Sir Nicholas White OBE KCMG FRS

    Professor Sir Nicholas White OBE KCMG FRS

    Nick White was Professor of Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford and Mahidol University in Thailand. He was a central figure in the development of the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Thailand, and the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) in Vietnam. In these endeavours, he was supported by the Wellcome Trust throughout his career.

    From his arrival in Thailand in 1980, he was closely involved in establishing MORU as a leading centre for clinical research on malaria and other infectious diseases, working in long-term partnership with local hospitals, clinicians, and researchers. This work continued with the establishment of OUCRU in 1991. Under his scientific leadership, MORU and OUCRU both became world renowned for clinical research that combined methodological rigour with direct relevance to patient care. 

    Nick was internationally recognised as a leading expert in malaria therapeutics, making seminal contributions to the field that transformed global policy. At a time when resistance to existing antimalarial drugs threatened effective treatment, Nick led a team that generated the clinical evidence through multinational clinical trials that underpinned the widespread adoption of artemisinin drugs. 

    Together with local partners, including the Hospital for Tropical Diseases and Professor Tran Tinh Hien, he developed the theory and evidence to support artemisinin-based combination therapies, which have become the standard of care for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and intravenous artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria. These treatments have been used in more than a billion patients and saved millions of lives. His work continues to shape clinical practice.

    Nick’s contribution to Vietnam’s health research capacity was noted by Dr Nguyen Van Vinh Chau, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health.

    “Professor Sir Nicholas White was not only an outstanding scientist, but also a key founder of the enduring collaboration between the University of Oxford and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City. Through his generosity, vision, and long-term commitment, he helped build a sustainable international scientific community at OUCRU, grounded in trust and mutual respect. To Vietnamese doctors, he was not only a mentor and collaborator, but a lifelong and cherished friend.”

    Nick’s scientific interests extended to other infectious diseases of major public health importance, including dengue, melioidosis, typhoid fever, and tetanus. Across these areas, his research was grounded in careful clinical observation and a consistent focus on practical solutions that had maximum impact on health outcomes. His pragmatic approach ensured that his findings were applicable in real-world settings, particularly in resource-limited environments. He made further important contributions to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    He placed particular importance on training and collaboration. Over the course of his career, Nick supported and supervised hundreds of clinicians and scientists, especially in Southeast Asia, strengthening local research capacity alongside international collaboration. Many of those he worked with have gone on to lead research programmes of their own, reflecting his long-standing commitment to building sustainable scientific partnerships, and empowering his colleagues to become leaders in their own right.

    Nick worked in Nepal from 1974 for approximately six years and has remained closely connected to the country ever since through regular visits. Over this extended period, he has been a significant and positive influence for OUCRU Nepal, particularly in shaping our approach to working with government partners and in strengthening international engagement. 

    Nick authored or co-authored more than 1,300 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He contributed extensively to international advisory bodies, including those of the World Health Organization. His achievements were recognised through honours, including election as a Fellow of the Royal Society and appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, as well as being awarded the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award in 2010 and Thailand’s Prince Mahidol Award in 2011.

    His sustained commitment and deep understanding of the local context have contributed substantially to meaningful and lasting change globally. Nick’s legacy is reflected in the treatments now used worldwide, the research units and collaborations he helped to establish, and the many colleagues and students influenced by his work. He will be remembered with enormous affection, respect and gratitude by those who worked alongside him and will be sorely missed.

    OUCRU extends our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

  • OUCRU & the Hospital for Tropical Diseases: 35 years of partnership. 

    OUCRU & the Hospital for Tropical Diseases: 35 years of partnership. 

    From our earliest malaria trials in 1991 to today’s shared work on many infectious diseases, we mark 35 years of partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD), HCMC. 

    This year, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) marks 35 years since its establishment in Vietnam (26 January 1991 – 26 January 2026). The anniversary also recognises 35 years of partnership with the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, a collaboration that has underpinned OUCRU’s work to generate evidence that improves patient care and strengthens responses to infectious disease threats.

    OUCRU’s roots in Vietnam are closely linked to the clinical realities of the early 1990s, when severe malaria placed significant pressure on hospital services. Working alongside HTD clinicians, OUCRU helped embed rigorous clinical research in the hospital environment, supporting studies conducted to international standards and building practical research capability within routine care settings.

    That early foundation shaped a long-term model for OUCRU’s work. It combined close partnership with frontline clinical teams, investment in laboratory and operational systems, and a focus on translating findings into improved treatment approaches and broader public health impact.

    In the years since, OUCRU’s collaboration with HTD has expanded to reflect Vietnam’s evolving health priorities. Joint programmes have contributed to research and training across areas including emerging infections, antimicrobial resistance, diagnostics, clinical trials, public health, and outbreak response. The partnership has also supported the development of Vietnamese scientific leadership through sustained training and collaborative research programmes.

    Today, OUCRU continues to work with HTD and wider partners to address urgent health challenges. At the same time, OUCRU invests in long-term capabilities that enable rapid, evidence-based responses when new threats emerge.

    Marking 35 years is both a reflection on what has been built and a commitment to what comes next. OUCRU will continue to pursue high-quality, partnership-led research that delivers measurable benefit for patients and communities in Vietnam and beyond.

  • “AMR Ambassador” Competition: When Students Become Voices Against Antimicrobial Resistance

    “AMR Ambassador” Competition: When Students Become Voices Against Antimicrobial Resistance

    In response to the World Antimicrobial Awareness Week initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the message â€œAct Now: Protect Our Present, Secure Our Future,” the program series AMR – The Untold Story 2025: Youth in Action Against Antimicrobial Resistance has officially returned with many meaningful activities for students and young people.

    One of the highlights of this year’s program is the â€œAMR Ambassador” Competition, held at Kim Lien High School (Hanoi). The competition aims to create a creative learning space for Grade 10 students while strongly spreading the message of using antibiotics safely, appropriately, and responsibly. Ms. Nguyen thi Hong Nga â€“ OUCRU Senior PCE Coordinator â€“ was invited to join the competition as a panel member. 

    Ms. Nguyen thi Hong Nga – OUCRU Senior PCE Coordinator – was invited to join the competition as a panel member. Image courtesy: SCPC

    From Awareness to Action

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is currently one of the most serious global health challenges. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics allow bacteria to become resistant, making many infections harder to treat, prolonging illness, and increasing healthcare costs.

    With that reality in mind, the “AMR Ambassador” Competition was designed to help students correctly understand antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance, encourage students to actively learn, research, and communicate about public health issues and identify outstanding young individuals who can act as “Ambassadors” to spread messages about responsible antibiotic use to their peers, families, and communities.

    Image courtesy: SCPC

    Strong Collaboration Behind the Scenes

    During the competition, participating teams demonstrated impressive creativity in AMR communication. They used a wide range of engagement approaches, including posters, theatre performances, interactive Q&A sessions, and short presentations, making complex health messages accessible and engaging for students.

    In the Competition, each team selected one of three topic groups: Causes of antimicrobial resistance; Impacts and consequences of antimicrobial resistance and Solutions to limit antimicrobial resistance. Each team had up to three minutes to deliver their presentation. Beyond scientific knowledge, this round required critical thinking, persuasive communication, and a strong sense of social responsibility. Many presentations left a strong impression by connecting the topic with real-life situations, such as self-medicating when having a cold, stopping antibiotics early when feeling better, or reusing old prescriptions for others.

    Image courtesy: SCPC

    Young “Ambassadors” for Change

    After exciting and competitive rounds, the judging panel selected the top five teams. More importantly than the awards, the students truly became “AMR Ambassadors” – young people who understand the issue, believe in responsible action, and are ready to contribute to the fight against antimicrobial resistance.

    Many students shared that after the competition, they changed their own habits: consulting doctors or pharmacists before using antibiotics and reminding family members not to buy antibiotics without prescriptions.

    Spreading the Message for a Healthier Future

    Through creative and student-friendly formats, the “AMR Ambassador” Competition has increased young people’s awareness of antimicrobial resistance, encouraged students to become active health communicators in their communities and contributed to the collective effort to promote safe, appropriate, and effective antibiotic use.

    As antimicrobial resistance continues to rise, every small action—from using antibiotics correctly to sharing knowledge with others—matters. And today’s young “ambassadors” will be a vital force in protecting community health in the future.

    Image courtesy: SCPC
  • OUCRU Wrapped 2025: Turning research into real-world impact

    OUCRU Wrapped 2025: Turning research into real-world impact

    A year defined by translation, not just discovery 

    2025 was a year in which OUCRU research moved decisively from evidence to action. Across diseases, disciplines, and countries, the work highlighted in OUCRU Wrapped 2025 reflects a shared focus: generating rigorous evidence that can genuinely improve patient care, inform policy, and strengthen research systems where the burden of infectious disease remainshighest. 

    The Wrapped summaries below capture the breadth of this work — from major scientific milestones to the people and partnerships behind them. This article offers the story behind the highlights. 

    Explore OUCRU Wrapped 2025 

    OUCRU Research Highlights in 2025

    When evidence reshapes clinical practice 

    Several of the year’s most significant achievements addressed long-standing gaps in how infectious diseases are diagnosed, treated, and studied. 

    In tuberculous meningitis, decades of research culminated in the first international clinical practice guideline, providing clinicians worldwide with clearer, evidence-based direction for managing one of the deadliest forms of TB. In dengue, global agreement on what outcomes should be measured in clinical trials marked a critical step toward more comparable and actionable research. 

    Equally important were studies that clarified what does not improve outcomes. Large, carefully conducted trials demonstrated that increasing drug doses does not necessarily translate into better survival — evidence that helps clinicians avoid unnecessary risk and reinforces the importance of rigorous negative findings. 

    Together, these advances underscore OUCRU’s commitment not only to innovation, but to precision in clinical decision-making. 

    Research at scale, rooted in collaboration 

    Large, multi-country studies continued to define OUCRU’s work in 2025. These trials reflect sustained investment in regional partnerships, shared infrastructure, and locally led research capable of answering questions that matter to millions of patients. 

    At the same time, new projects launched across Vietnam and Indonesia illustrate how surveillance, diagnostics, digital health, and vaccine-relevant research are increasingly interconnected — linking patient-level data to future prevention and treatment strategies. 

    The people behind the progress 

    Scientific impact depends on people, leadership, and continuity. In 2025, OUCRU marked a significant leadership transition, while also seeing Vietnam-based researchers recognised at the highest academic level by the University of Oxford — a sign of the growing global visibility of research conducted in the region. 

    The people behind the Science

    Training and mentorship remained central to OUCRU’s mission. As senior researchers took on new leadership roles, new PhD graduates and early-career scientists stepped forward, supported by programmes designed to strengthen long-term research capacity across South and Southeast Asia. 

    Investment in the future of global health research 

    Major new grants secured in 2025 reflect confidence in OUCRU’s long-term vision. These awards support work spanning artificial intelligence in clinical care, severe tuberculosis, dengue therapeutics, and cross-continental clinical trial networks. 

    Alongside research funding, conferences, policy reports, and engagement initiatives continued to connect evidence with practice, ensuring that scientific findings reach clinicians, communities, and decision-makers. 

    Looking ahead 

    The highlights captured in OUCRU Wrapped 2025 represent more than a successful year — they point to a research ecosystem built for durability, relevance, and impact. 

  • 2025 PCE Highlights: Strengthening Community-Centred Health Engagement Research 

    2025 PCE Highlights: Strengthening Community-Centred Health Engagement Research 

    As 2025 draws closer, Public and Community Engagement (PCE) continued to strengthen meaningful connections between OUCRU research and the local communities across Indonesia, Vietnam, and Nepal. Across all sites, our work is guided by a shared goal: health research creates lasting impact when communities are actively involved in shaping it.

    Let’s take a look at the milestones we have achieved from the year. 

    Creating Spaces for Engagement  

    Community Advisory Group – Shaping Public Voices in Health Research 

    Community voices play a vital role in shaping relevant health research at OUCRU. Since their establishment, community groups continue to contribute to setting research priorities. Through various groups, community participants are able to share their experiences in their own voices and contribute their suggestions and feedback to OUCRU ‘s research. In 2025, the HCMC-based Health Research Advisory Board (HRAB) held three meetings bringing community members and researchers together. At the same time, the disease-specific Tuberculosis Meningitis Community Advisory Board (TBM-CAB) met with researchers to discuss issues of extended treatment regimes barriers to follow up.  

    Community voices played a vital role in shaping relevant health research. Since its establishment at OUCRU, advisory boards have continued to guide research priorities, enabling participants to share their lived experiences in their own voices and contribute suggestions and feedback to OUCRU’s research.

    In Indonesia, OUCRU has recently established a Community Forum for Health Research (ForuM), to serve as a vital platform to bring diverse communities together to contribute to OUCRU’s health research processes. The forum aims to strengthen dialogue around community priorities and reinforce the importance of research agendas that respond to local health needs. Through these exchanges, community feedback is translated into research that is more relevant, impactful, inclusive, and culturally sensitive, ensuring that OUCRU’s work addresses real community needs. 

    The Public and Community Engagement Training: Designing An Engagement Projects 

    In line with our strategy to encourage good engagement practice in the region, OUCRU held a 3-day engagement training for biomedical researchers from multiple Indonesian and Malay institutes. The aim was to introduce the benefits of engagement and equip researchers with practical skills to design appropriate engagement projects. The training supported 20 participants from 10 institutes to integrate engagement into research planning, implementation, and dissemination. 

    From Research into Community Action 

    Malaria Burden in Southeast Asia: Research Findings and Community Impact  

    In April 2025, World Malaria Day was marked, and OUCRU, MORU, and The Global Health Network hosted a regional webinar exploring the often-overlooked burden of malaria in Southeast Asia. Our researchers shared insights on drug development, surveillance of drug-resistant malaria, treatment trials, and the importance of including pregnant women in research. Central to the discussion was the role of community engagement, showcasing how researchers work with hard-to-reach communities, elevate community voices, and use creative approaches to build trust, raise awareness, and strengthen the real impact of malaria research inside the community. 

    Bridging Hard-to-Reach Research Through Media Engagement

    In Dak Lak province in Vietnam, research led by Dr Nguyen Thanh Ha revealed that vaccine hesitancy is often driven by structural barriers rather than refusal alone. In response, OUCRU worked with local health authorities to develop a training programme to strengthen healthcare workers’ communication skills. Led by Senior Media Engagement Coordinator Ms Nguyen Yen, and funded by IMPRINT UK, OUCRU worked with the village heath workers and community members to co-created a short film to help engage under-served communities. Using local community actors and storytelling the film reflects real concerns behind vaccination decisions, and aims to build trust and improving dialogue.  The film translated complex public health messages into accessible narratives, amplifying lived experiences, and building trust with often excluded audience audiences. The film was screened in underserved districts, shared online and on provincial television.   

    Watch the film:

    Putting Community at the Centre of Health Systems 

    In 2025, OUCRU’s Public and Community Engagement (PCE) work in Vietnam continued to strengthen health systems by placing people at the heart of care and research. Central to this approach is patient-centred care, which prioritises individual needs, values, and informed decision-making, and recognises patients as active partners in their care. OUCRU partnered with Medisetter, Vietnam’s largest multichannel doctor network,to build the training on interpersonal skills for healthcare workers. 

    Investing Research Engagement for the Next Generation 

    The PCE Seed Awards continue to be a driving force for engagement at OUCRU, supporting young and early-career researchers to design and deliver community-centred engagement projects. Now in its tenth year, the programme continues to provide funding and mentorship that encourage creative approaches to connecting research with real-world health concerns. 

    In 2025, Seed Awards funded four projects, with a focus on youth engagement. The awards supported initiatives including the youth antimicrobial stewardship in partnership with PAPRA, —an interprofessional network of practitioners, academics, and community members across Indonesia working together to prevent and control antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 

    Other projects focused on sharing findings from a Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) study to help families better prevent infection and manage care at home, as well as A Day in the Lab, targeted to young children and youth. These projects demonstrates how seed awards can catalyse meaningful engagement, inspire new ideas, and strengthen connections between researchers, communities, and young audiences. 

    Explore Seed Awards Projects: https://www.oucru.org/project/seed-awards/

    In Indonesia, digital engagement initiatives were used to help brings science closer to the next generation of Indonesian children through an online, interactive space to meet researchers, ask questions, and explore the human side of health research. Following on from the Seed Award project ‘A Day in the Lab’, we extended our reach through digital platforms. The Kids Meet Scientist talk show successfully brought researchers and children together to spark curiosity and break down barriers between science and society. The show aimed to inspire young audiences from diverse backgrounds to see themselves as part of the future of research. 

    Watch the interactive discussion:

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPvy92dk4aU/

    Looking Ahead to 2026 

    As we move into 2026, we remain committed to involving communities and stakeholders in our research, with the aims of strengthening meaningful dialogue between communities and research professionals.Â