Wai-Hong Tham

Wai-Hong Tham is a Chair of the WEHI Biologics Initiative at The Australian National University, affiliated with the Research School of Biology. Her research focuses on understanding mechanisms of malaria parasite entry and fertilisation to develop novel interventions against malaria. She also investigates cell death effectors in frog chytrid fungi and employs artificial intelligence to discover virulence factors. Tham's work integrates structural biology, nanobody technology, and molecular parasitology to design therapies that block parasite interactions and transmission. She holds a joint appointment at WEHI as a Lab Head in the Infectious Diseases and Immune Defense Division.

Wai-Hong Tham is a researcher focused on Host-Pathogen Interactions, particularly in the context of infectious diseases. Their work explores the molecular mechanisms underlying host cell invasion by pathogens such as malaria parasites and viruses. Tham's research includes the study of receptor-ligand interactions during Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte invasion, the role of complement receptors in pathogen evasion, and the immune responses to viral infections like COVID-19. Their studies also investigate the structural and functional aspects of proteins involved in pathogen entry and immune evasion, contributing to the understanding of host-pathogen dynamics and potential therapeutic targets.