Jhobert Bernal is a PhD student researching the less common and under-recognised malaria species Plasmodium malariae and contributing to an international malaria detection study in the Philippines.

The thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is… the potential to make a real difference in people’s lives. I am currently working on a project called SMART (Serological Markers for Residual malaria Transmission), which focuses on eliminating malaria in the Philippines by 2030.

It is a collaborative project between WEHI, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (Philippines) and the University of South Florida (USA), funded by an NHMRC e-ASIA Joint Research Program grant. Most of the work is out in the field, collecting samples and interviewing people to identify if there is still residual malaria in the area. We process the results at WEHI and I help analyse the data we gather.

The thing I’m proudest of is… my field experience. As someone who has spent a lot of time collecting samples and gathering research data, I’ve met a lot of people whose lives are deeply affected by different diseases.

It’s incredibly rewarding knowing that I can genuinely help improve their lives and that their circumstances can change for the better.

What I love about… malaria serology (the study of blood serum) is that it allows us to detect antibodies or sometimes antigens in people who has been exposed to malaria. There are several serological techniques available today and what makes SMART exciting for me is its potential as a monitoring and surveillance tool.

It helps us to identify possible residual malaria transmission especially in areas that are close to elimination. This method can support public health programs and guide elimination efforts, which makes this work truly meaningful.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve overcome was… working as a field researcher in the Philippines during the pandemic. There were a lot of travel restrictions.

We were working with Indigenous people, some of whom were worried that we were doing COVID vaccinations. As a project coordinator, managing research under those conditions was extremely challenging.

The most inspiring people I’ve met at WEHI are… Dr Rhea Longley, Professor Wai-Hong Tham and Professor Ivo Mueller. Despite their busy schedules, they manage to be incredibly supportive and always willing to make time to share their expertise and provide valuable insights.

I feel genuinely grateful to be surrounded by the people who not only excel in their field but also motivate and encourage you to succeed in your own goals.

I love being a scientist at WEHI because… it brings together an incredible community of thinkers, researchers, and scientists. On the malaria and serological side, collaboration is a huge part of the culture. It’s easy to connect and work with everyone not only in the institute but also internationally.

We also have very well-maintained laboratories equipped with everything we need, from essential instruments to cutting-edge technologies, which ensures that our experiments are performed in the highest standard and produce high-quality and reliable results.

When I’m not in the lab, I like to… explore Melbourne. I love strolling and walking around the city as it helps me discover so many nice places. When I’m at home, I love to cook.