Organization: Universiti Sains Malaysia
Region: Asia and the Pacific Islands
Nationality: Malaysia
Country: Malaysia
Interests & expertise: COVID-19 and HIV
Profession or occupation: Educator/trainer
What inspires you to work in the HIV field?
When I was younger, an advert depicting people who used drugs who died of AIDS-related causes used to play repeatedly on the television. It piqued my curiosity on HIV eradication and led me to pursue HIV research during my PhD. Over the years, I met people living with HIV and listened to their stories about stigma, unequal gender relations or lack of access to medication and knowledge, and it fuelled my passion to try harder in HIV cure research.
Getting to know others in the field, I am also inspired to do my best to ensure that those living in low- and middle-income countries are not left behind in this response to HIV and AIDS. I believe that one day, HIV, which is often thought of as incurable, will be cured.
What are your goals as an IAS change maker?
Having been involved in various IAS activities over the years, I realize that sharing crucial and current information with as many people as possible and being able to work with different groups globally are as important as the research being conducted in this field. As an IAS change maker, I aspire to be more involved in engaging with those within and outside the network to address gaps in the field and to motivate others to join the response to HIV and AIDS. I would like to help with the development of content or new programmes and making them accessible, as well as collaborate with others to provide input and continuously do impactful HIV work at a larger scale.