Kuala lumpur: A biomedical scientist at the Institute for Medical Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH) Malaysia, Adela Ida Jiram, has been elected as the president of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM), becoming the first Sarawakian and Iban woman to hold the position. She was elected during the society's 62nd Annual General Meeting recently.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MSPTM stated that Adela Ida's election comes at a time when Malaysia continues to strengthen its research capability, public health preparedness, and international scientific visibility. The society noted that Adela Ida is expected to help guide its work in professional development, scientific exchange, and stronger national engagement on issues related to parasitology and tropical medicine.

The statement emphasized that the story is not only about a historic appointment but also about the future direction of the society and how it can help make the field more visible, collaborative, and relevant to the public.

Adela Ida, in the same statement, outlined her priorities, including mentoring young scientists, strengthening collaboration among researchers and institutions, increasing public awareness of the field, and raising MSPTM's national profile. She expressed a desire to mentor young scientists, enhance collaboration across the field, and raise the society's national visibility.

She also aims to support more international conferences and scientific gatherings in Malaysia to showcase local research and position MSPTM as a stronger platform for Malaysian scientists to contribute to global discussions on parasitology and tropical medicine.