Dr Steven Kho Receives Harry Christian Giese Research Impact Prize for Malaria Breakthrough

We are proud to introduce the Harry Christian Giese Research Impact Prize. This is in memory of Harry Christian Giese AM MBE (1913-2000), post-War pioneer of health and education in the Northern Territory and a key founder of Menzies School of Health Research.  
The Prize is designed to enhance the professional development of an early or mid-career researcher.  It focuses on medical research that has led to measurable improvements, better health policies, expanded programs, or established collaborative partnerships, to improve health across northern Australia, our region or further afield.
Dr Steven Kho was announced as the inaugural recipient of this prize, for his ground-breaking discoveries in malaria research. During his PhD, Dr Kho discovered a large hidden malaria parasite reservoir in the human spleen and a new lifecycle for 2 major parasite species causing malaria, P. falciparum and P. vivax. These findings, published in 2021, are widely regarded as one of the most significant malaria discoveries of the past 50 years. Led by Dr Kho in Indonesia, the research has had a huge influence on the way malaria biology is understood, now acknowledged as predominantly an infection of the spleen. His work has been cited 197 times in 3 years by researchers in more than 50 countries, across 15 disciplines. 
Image caption: Dr Steven Kho (back row, second from right (left image) and second from left (right image)) is pictured with key collaborators from Jakarta and Timika, Indonesia. 
Dr Kho is now a leader in malaria pathophysiology where his work aims to reduce global malaria burden by targeting the hidden splenic reservoir. Under senior mentorship by Professors Nicholas Anstey and Pierre Buffet, his work has led to calls by malaria experts for improved models, diagnostics, clinical management and disease control. With investment of more than $2 million by the National Health and Medical Research Council, Dr Kho leads a multidisciplinary research program with partners in Australia, Indonesia, France, Singapore, UK and Benin. He is an exceptional early career scientist, whose work continues to be pivotal in the effort to achieve malaria elimination. 
On receiving this prize, he said “This award is not just a recognition of the work, but for me is also a motivator and a reminder of the importance of pursuing challenges, asking difficult questions and finding innovative solutions. I hope it can serve as inspiration to others to keep striving for excellence.”
The Prize succeeds the Harry Christian Giese Research into Action Award, which has supported talented Menzies researchers since 2013.