June 2026 Newsletter

June Newsletter

As we move into the second half of 2026, there is much to look forward to across the ACREME network. The coming months will be busy and exciting, with several opportunities to connect, collaborate, and share progress toward malaria elimination across the Asia-Pacific region.

One of the key highlights on our calendar is the combined ACREME and Malaria Synergy Annual Meeting in October. Bringing together researchers, policymakers, program implementers, and partners from across the region, the meeting will provide an important opportunity to showcase new research, strengthen collaborations, and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Later in October, we are also looking forward to the Australian Rotarians Against Malaria event, which will bring together supporters and advocates who continue to play a vital role in advancing malaria control and elimination efforts throughout the region.

In addition, our new ACREME webinar series will commence in July. These monthly sessions will feature diverse perspectives from across policy, practice, implementation, and research, providing a platform for knowledge exchange and discussion on key issues relevant to malaria elimination.

There is plenty happening in the months ahead, and we encourage you to save the dates and stay engaged with the opportunities outlined below. We look forward to connecting with many of you throughout what promises to be an eventful and productive remainder of 2026.

Kind regards,
Professor Freya Fowkes
Lead Investigator

Congratulations to Professor Jennifer Flegg, Associate Investigator with ACREME, on being elected as a Fellow of The Australian Academy of Science in 2026. Professor Flegg joins 28 outstanding scientists recognised this year for their exceptional contributions to fundamental discovery, translational research, and the commercial application of Australian science.

A strong presence from ACREME at the Asia Pacific Malaria Elimination Network (APMEN) Joint Working Groups Meeting in Bangkok. View photos show some of the highlights from the week, from presentations and panel discussions, to collaborative workshops and networking across country programs.

Unite against Malaria: challenges and achievements in malaria control around the globe.

Professor Leanne Robinson of Burnet Institute recently spoke with Madlen Luckner (Nature Communications), reflecting on her work toward malaria elimination and the evolving challenges and opportunities in the field. An investigator with ACREME, Leanne is a leading expert in malaria epidemiology and implementation research across the Asia-Pacific, with a particular focus on Papua New Guinea. Read the interview.

We’re delighted to welcome Edwin Sutanto as ACREME’s newest PhD student from Menzies School of Health Research. Edwin is currently in his second year of PhD training under the supervision of Professor Sarah Auburn. His research focuses on investigating drug resistance in Plasmodium falciparum in Papua, Indonesia using advanced molecular approaches.

Congratulations to Patrick Abraham on completing his PhD. His thesis examined novel malaria control interventions from an economic perspective, drawing on evidence from four international global health studies. Through evaluating both costs and cost-effectiveness across diverse epidemiological and geographical settings, Patrick’s research provides valuable evidence to support more informed and efficient malaria control policy and decision-making.

Register for ACREME’s first webinar, presented by Sarah Auburn, as part of our monthly 60-minute webinar series. The ACREME webinar series brings together diverse perspectives on policy, practice, and research to support malaria elimination across the Asia-Pacific region. Each session features invited speakers who share insights from policy, social science, implementation, programmatic, and academic research perspectives.

The 2026 ACREME Annual Meeting will bring together researchers, collaborators and partners for two days of knowledge sharing, collaboration and capacity building, and will be delivered in conjunction with the Malaria Synergy Program (MSP). The program will feature updates on research progress, key initiatives and emerging priorities across ACREME, while providing opportunities to strengthen connections and foster new collaborations.

The second half of the two-day meeting will focus on the Malaria Synergy Program, incorporating interactive, hands-on workshops designed to encourage practical learning and engagement. Participants from both ACREME and MSP are warmly invited to attend and contribute across the full program.

Australian Rotarians Against Malaria (ARAM) is proud to join forces with the Australian Centre of Research Excellence in Malaria Elimination (ACREME) and the Malaria Synergy Program (MSP) for a special collaborative event exploring the path to malaria elimination.

Bringing together researchers, clinicians, advocates and community partners, this event will showcase the latest research, evidence and partnerships driving progress towards a malaria-free future.