The Sandosham Medal is named after the late Dr. A.A. Sandosham, L.M.S., M.D., Ph.D., A.M., a retired Professor and Head of the Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya, Singapore (now the Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore). He also served as Principal of the University and acted as its Vice-Chancellor for a period. Dr. Sandosham was the Society’s Founder Member, first President, and first Honorary Member, and made numerous valuable contributions to parasitology and tropical medicine in the Southeast Asian region. This gold medal is awarded every two years to outstanding scientists for their achievements in the field of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, and represents the highest distinction conferred by the Society.

The 62nd MSPTM Council is delighted to announce that Emeritus Professor Dr. Balbir Singh a/l Mohan Singh has been selected as the recipient of the Sandosham Medal 2025. The medal will be officially presented during the opening ceremony of the 62nd Annual Scientific Conference of the Malaysian Society of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine.

Emeritus Professor Balbir Singh, founding Director of the Malaria Research Centre, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS), is an internationally distinguished scientist whose pioneering contributions have profoundly shaped the global understanding of malaria. He obtained his BSc, MSc and PhD degrees from the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom, and subsequently undertook malaria research at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine from 1984 to 1991 as a Postdoctoral Scientist and Beit Medical Fellow, with field assignments in Thailand and Malawi. He later served at Universiti Sains Malaysia before joining UNIMAS in 1999, where he established and led the Malaria Research Centre.

Professor Balbir is best known for his landmark discovery of large-scale human infections caused by the simian malaria parasite Plasmodium knowlesi in Sarawak. He led a comprehensive body of molecular, epidemiological and clinical research that unequivocally established P. knowlesi as a widespread and potentially fatal zoonotic malaria across Southeast Asia. This work transformed clinical practice, including recognition of the need for urgent treatment of knowlesi malaria, directly informing national and international guidelines and contributing to significant reductions in mortality. His discoveries have reshaped malaria epidemiology worldwide and are now embedded in medical curricula and textbooks.

His exceptional scholarly achievements include 88 peer-reviewed publications and three book chapters in leading international journals. His research has attracted over RM7.1 million in competitive funding, including grants from the Wellcome Trust, and has accumulated more than 7,000 citations (h-index 43). He has been recognised among Stanford University’s World’s Top 2% Scientists and ranked among the world’s leading experts in Tropical Medicine. His work has received widespread international media coverage and has elevated the global profile of Malaysian biomedical research.

In recognition of his expertise, Professor Balbir has played a significant role in shaping global malaria policy through his service with the World Health Organization. He has been appointed as a advisor to WHO on multiple occasions and currently serves as a member of the WHO Guideline Development Group responsible for formulating global recommendations for the diagnosis of Plasmodium knowlesi and the use of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria. He has also served as a Commissioner for The Lancet Commission on Malaria Eradication, contributing expert guidance to international elimination efforts.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Balbir has demonstrated exemplary leadership in capacity building, mentorship and public engagement. He has trained and supervised researchers from across the world, strengthened diagnostic capabilities throughout Southeast Asia, and inspired generations of students through sustained outreach to schools and rural communities in Sarawak. For his outstanding contributions, he has received numerous honours, including the Merdeka Award and election as a Fellow of the Academy of Sciences Malaysia.

Through his lifelong dedication to science, public health and education, Emeritus Professor Balbir Singh has brought enduring distinction to UNIMAS and Malaysia, and has left an indelible legacy on global malaria research and control.

Congratulations! We wish you continued success in your future endeavors.