I began my malaria research career in 1985 as Section Chief of the malaria research team in the Entomology Department at USAMC-AFRIMS. My first assignment involved conducting direct mosquito feedings on malaria patients in Thailand to test a newly developed ELISA for detecting sporozoite proteins—an assay that continues to be used worldwide for malaria transmission surveillance.

After 26 years with the U.S. Army’s overseas laboratory in Thailand, I joined Mahidol University’s Faculty of Tropical Medicine in 2011 and founded the Mahidol Vivax Research Unit (MVRU). As its Director, I lead a multidisciplinary team of over 30 researchers, including scientists, fellows, students, and technologists. My work over three decades has focused on malaria epidemiology, diagnostics, in vitro culture, and the biology of gametocytes and mosquito stages of human malaria. Through MVRU’s specialized research, we have made significant contributions to understanding Plasmodium vivax biology and transmission, particularly the pre-erythrocytic stage, sporozoite biology, and transmission-blocking vaccine development. My studies encompass all malaria species found in Thailand—P. vivax, P. falciparum, P. ovale, P. malariae, and P. knowlesi—providing critical insights into regional parasite biology.

Much of my research centers on developing and evaluating innovative tools for malaria diagnosis, surveillance, case management, drugs and vaccines, aimed at strengthening public health strategies and advancing malaria elimination in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Since 2010, I have also served as Co-Project Director of the Southeast Asia ICEMR (SEA-ICEMR), leading the Vector Biology and Transmission study. I currently direct the SEA-MaTh program (“The Changing Landscape of Human and Zoonotic Malaria in Southeast Asia”), which operates across Thailand, Myanmar, China and Malaysia. This program generates vital, up-to-date epidemiological data that guide policymakers and public health authorities in assessing malaria transmission and the effectiveness of elimination strategies. My team has worked on multistages mRNA vaccines for P. vivax since 2020.

While our research covers parasitology, vector control, surveillance tools, drug and vaccine development, important gaps remain in understanding behavioral risk factors among diverse populations in endemic areas. To address this, my team is now investigating these behavioral aspects to develop targeted interventions essential for achieving malaria elimination in Thailand and across the region.