March 12, 2025
Malaria elimination in the Asia-Pacific faces major challenges, including gaps in surveillance, drug resistance, and emerging zoonotic threats like Plasmodium knowlesi. Thanks to ACREME’s support, I can contribute to tackling these challenges through my PhD at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) through The University of Melbourne (UniMelb), under the supervision of Dr. Rhea Longley (WEHI), A/Prof Matthew Grigg (Menzies), and Prof Freya Fowkes (UniMelb). 
With a background in biomedical science and strong research interest in infectious diseases, I previously worked on antimalarial drug discovery before shifting my focus to malaria serology. My PhD research aims to improve malaria surveillance by validating P. knowlesi-specific serological markers and integrating them into existing Plasmodium multiplex serological panels. By combining serological data with mosquito vector exposure patterns, I hope to develop a classification model using machine learning approaches that better detects and maps malaria transmission risks. Given P. knowlesi’s prevalence in Malaysia and Indonesia, I will also collaborate with researchers in both countries to apply these tools in real-world settings. This work directly aligns with ACREME’s mission, particularly in Developing and Validating novel surveillance tools and enhancing Spatial Decision Support Tools to refine targeted malaria interventi
None of this would be possible without ACREME’s generous support. The stipend scholarship I received from ACREME has allowed me to fully commit to this research and contribute to the broader mission of malaria elimination. I am truly grateful for this opportunity and look forward to working alongside the ACREME network to drive impactful research in the Asia-Pacific.
Zi Kang Ooi, PhD Student
Longley Lab, Infection and Global Health
