Menzies School of Health Research clinical research fellow Dr Matthew Grigg has been named the 2017 NT Young Tall Poppy Scientist of the Year.

He received the award in recognition of his ongoing research into Plasmodium knowlesi (P. knowlesi) malaria, a type of monkey malaria transmitted to humans via mosquitoes in South-east Asia.

The prestigious Young Tall Poppy Awards, run by the Australian Institute of Policy and Science, honour up-and-coming scientists who combine world-class research with a passionate commitment to communicating science.

Dr Grigg said he was thankful to be nominated for the award by his mentor and supervisor at Menzies, Professor Nick Anstey.

“This award is recognition for the work of our whole malaria research team at Menzies and our colleagues in Asia, including Dr Timothy William, who is based at our main field site in Sabah, Malaysia where P. knowlesi malaria has such a big impact on the local population,” Dr Grigg said.

“Through the research we have improved our understanding of the treatment and epidemiology of P. knowlesi malaria, to change Malaysian and World Health Organization (WHO) malaria treatment guidelines, whilst building the expertise of local research staff. 
 
“With Menzies colleague Dr Bridget Barber we were also the first to compare severe and non-severe knowlesi malaria to other species, with results also now included in the WHO severe malaria guidelines.”

Dr Grigg has been working in the Territory for the past nine years including as a medical officer in remote NT Indigenous communities and also Royal Darwin and Katherine hospitals.