Nazni Wasi AhmadDr

Dr Nazni Wasi Ahmad is a Senior Research Officer at the Medical Entomology Unit, Institute for Medical Research (IMR), National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, with over three decades of experience in medical entomology, biotherapy, vector biology and translational research. A major focus of her work has been the development and translation of biological approaches for wound management. She and her team pioneered the development and production of sterile medicinal maggots for maggot debridement therapy (MDT) in Malaysia, providing a biological approach for the removal of necrotic tissue and preparation of the wound bed. Since its introduction into clinical practice, MDT has been used in the management of approximately 50,000 patients. Her research has subsequently expanded to other complementary biological approaches across the wound-healing pathway. This includes the development of sterile medicinal leeches, particularly for improving blood circulation and relieving venous congestion in compromised tissues, with approximately 100 patients treated to date. More recently, her team has initiated research on tilapia fish skin as a biological wound dressing, with particular interest in supporting wound coverage and epithelialisation. This work is currently at an early research stage. Beyond wound management, she leads and contributes to innovative mosquito-borne disease prevention research, particularly the Wolbachia-based population replacement approach for dengue control in Malaysia. The programme has progressed from laboratory and field research into public health implementation, with encouraging reductions in dengue observed in Wolbachia-release localities. Nazni has led 49 research projects, authored and co-authored more than 200 peer-reviewed publications, co-filed and co-obtained nine patents, and received 46 national and international awards. Her work reflects a strong commitment to translating scientific research into practical interventions that improve patient care and public health.