Many parents around the world face the devastating effects that Malaria has on their children sometimes more than five times before the child turns 5 years old. Dr. Chandy John shares about his labs collaboration and work to reduce the burden that malaria can have on these families. We explore about sickle cells disease and traits specifically how they impact malaria. On a large scale we talk about how everyday individuals can help to improve the lives of those suffering through malaria and the prevention. We dive into the link between malaria and the CDC as well as so many other topics. This podcast helps broaden our horizons in global health and to hear about the work that everyday heroes are doing.  All podcast links can be found at https://www.annassmith.com/forum

Chandy C. John, M.D., M.S., holds the Ryan White Endowed Chair in Pediatric Infectious Diseases and is director of the Ryan White Center for Pediatric Infectious Disease and Global Health at Indiana University. Dr. John’s research focuses on malaria pathogenesis, immunology and epidemiology and infections in children with sickle cell disease. Key discoveries of his collaborative research team include: 1) the first prospective studies to establish that severe malaria is associated with long-term cognitive impairment in children, 2) identification of immunologic factors that increase risk of severe malaria and cognitive impairment after severe malaria; 3) determination of geographic and immunologic factors that affect risk of malaria in areas of unstable malaria transmission; and 4) pioneering studies on the efficacy, safety and optimal dosing of hydroxyurea for treatment of children with sickle cell anemia in malaria endemic areas.

Dr. John conducts research and training programs in Kenya in collaboration with colleagues at the Kenya Medical Research Institute, and in Uganda in collaboration with colleagues at Makerere University. He is the author of more than 200 peer-reviewed publications and 30 book chapters. Dr. John is co-chair of the Thrasher Research Fund Scientific Advisory Committee, a member of the NIH Fogarty International Center Advisory Board, and has served on or chaired numerous NIH and national and international study sections and review boards. Dr. John’s awards include the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society Young Investigator Award (2004), and the Bailey K. Ashford Medal from the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene for contributions to tropical medicine research (2011).

Dr. John is an active clinician, specializing in pediatric infectious diseases at Riley Hospital for Children. As an educator, Dr. John was director of global health residency tracks in pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Minnesota. Dr. John served as president of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene in 2019.