Adela Ida becomes first Sarawakian to lead Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine

KUCHING (April 4): Adela Ida Jiram has made history as the first Sarawakian to be appointed president of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM).

Her appointment was announced during the society’s 62nd Annual Conference held in Ipoh, Perak from March 30–31, where she was named the society’s 63rd president.

Adela is a biomedical science officer with the Parasitology Unit of the Institute for Medical Research (IMR).

In a Facebook post, IMR said Adela’s appointment marks a significant milestone as the society’s leadership returns to IMR, the biomedical research arm of the Ministry of Health.

“This moment reflects both continuity and legacy, highlighting IMR’s enduring role in shaping the nation’s scientific landscape in parasitology and tropical medicine,” said IMR, noting that MSPTM was founded at IMR in 1964.

In her own Facebook post, Adela said she was proud to be the first Sarawakian and the first Iban woman to head MSPTM.

Meanwhile, IMR said the MSPTM 62nd Annual Conference drew 293 participants from 11 countries, including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Pakistan, India, Iran, the United Kingdom and the United States.

IMR was strongly represented by a multidisciplinary team from its Infectious Diseases Research Centre, including the entomology, acarology, bacteriology and parasitology units.