“No obstacle is too great for a determined mind…”
Human of Medicine #45
This publication is in conjunction with the upcoming initiative by MMI aimed at raising awareness about mental health care in Malaysia. Further information can be found at @mmi_social on Instagram.
Parasitology was not what Dr. Mehru Nisha expected in her cards when her journey began. Her first academic love was bacteriology, which led her to pursue biotechnology as her undergraduate degree. Due to her interest in infectious diseases, she did her masters in medical microbiology. Her decision to go for a PhD changed everything; she encountered new adaptations as she faced the challenge of dealing with humans for the first time, rather than purely hands-on experience in the lab. This is where she developed a deep interest in parasitology, specialising in investigation of intestinal parasites in faecal samples from Indigenous community in Malaysia, known as the Orang Asli. Dr. Nisha’s current project aims to explore the association between protozoa infection and helminth infections in faecal samples collected from the Orang Asli population in Semenyih area of Malaysia.
Working with indigenous communities in rural areas presents as much adversity as one would expect. Despite having to drive deep in the forest, walk under the hot sun, and worry about getting lost in the forest, I remain motivated to pursue my research project due to its positive impact and improvement on the lives of indigenous community, especially those living near Semenyih area where there is no proper database on the prevalence of intestinal protozoa infections and efficacy of deworming treatments. My interest in serving underprivileged societies and addressing their health needs has led me to where I am today. My favourite part of my research is the happiness gained when indigenous families expressed gratitude for the medicine provided such as the cream that I gave for the children with scabies infections, as sometimes they cannot afford expensive treatments. Besides that, my perseverance in research comes from my passion for educating my students to be responsible and compassionate medical researchers who engage thoughtfully with indigenous community. My willingness to contribute to society through education has greatly inspired many medical students and researchers.
I aspire to use my research project to inform public health interventions and policies. Although intestinal parasites are considered Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), I continue to raise concern among the indigenous communities due to the environment where they are living in— contaminated soil, lack of proper latrine systems and unfiltered water. I believe in protecting the rights of indigenous communities and avoiding detachment from the natural environment they inhabit. I offer educational campaigns to explain to the indigenous communities how to prevent parasite infections, and keep good data records and monitoring systems. For example, reports from teachers indicate that children infected with the parasitic diseases struggle to focus in class, causing high levels of school dropouts, and some are having malnutrition effects. By identifying these issues and collecting data, I believe that medical researchers can better manage intestinal parasitic diseases among the indigenous populations. Looking ahead to the future of my research project, I am optimistic about focusing on foodborne parasites, and targeting Orang Asli villages. To gain a comprehensive understanding of how zoonotic diseases are transmitted between organisms, I plan to collect samples such as soil, water, vegetables, and domesticated animals to identify environmental factors that may contribute to the parasite infections, rather than solely focusing on the humans.
Yet, my journey has not been without its challenges. Imagine spending nights in dense forests on the way to the villages, surrounded by wild animals and local spirits while struggling to get a measly signal on my phone. In regards to communicating with the Orang Asli communities, I recall gaining the locals’ trust as the first hurdle, because trying to convince them to give their stools for testing was not an easy task. In the lab, I faced issues such as imperfect DNA sample extractions, PCR failures, and cell deaths. Sometimes, even when the exact protocol given by the manufacturing company is followed from A to Z, the expected results are not guaranteed. However, I maintain a positive mindset in navigating research challenges, my PhD background having moulded me into the strong individual I am today. I am grateful to have a great supportive network system, comprising of my students and the members of the Malaysian Society Parasitology and Tropical Medicine (MSPTM).
While there is no denying that stress is ever-present in my daily life, I choose to use it to fuel my drive instead. My advice? Seeking alternative solutions to solve the problems is crucial. For instance, when facing difficulties in obtaining samples from the Orang Asli population, I expand my research to include other villages or work with geriatric patients in Rumah Orang Tua. When there are experimental failures, my research team learns from past mistakes by revisiting the process from the beginning and adjusting relevant parameters. For those interested in pursuing a similar path, my counsel is this: wherever you go, always be humble, be curious, be patient to learn, and always remind yourself that no obstacle is too great for a determined mind.
Eason Kong Qi Zheng is a first year medical student at Monash University Malaysia.
By believing that nothing is impossible, he wants to challenge himself to continue seeking new knowledge through medical research.
Tan Wen Weyn is a second-year daydreamer in a lab coat at National Defense University Malaysia.
After a long day of fighting off sleep demons in her 9 to 5 classes, you can usually find her on her bed staring at a blank Word doc or stealing kills in the Land of Dawn.
Consent has been obtained from the interviewee for the purpose of this publication. The author has rewritten the article with permission from the interviewee.
Humans of Medicine is a new initiative under MMI. We tell inspiring stories behind portrait shots of our everyday unsung heroes. Curated by Malaysian medical students from home and abroad.
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