Final year medical student at University Malaya, Subashan Vadibeler, has been chosen as a Rhodes Scholar to study at the Oxford University and hopes to one day find cure for dengue.

The scholarship, started in 1902, is given to outstanding students from world over to study at Oxford University.

We are so proud!#UMisOne pic.twitter.com/CeHNKeZHFS

— Universiti Malaya (@unimalaya) November 10, 2020

Dreams of eradicating dengue

In an interview with Malay Mail, Subashan said that he hoped to study the immunology of dengue, an eradicate the disease and other neglected tropical diseases in the future.

The 24-year-old from Ipoh will be pursuing two master’s degrees - a Master’s of Science in International Health and Tropical Medicine and a Master’s of Science in Integrated Immunology.

According to the report, growing up in Ipoh had an impact on Subashan's interest in infectious diseases and microbiology.

"My hometown is quite a big inspiration for me because at UM, where I’m currently studying, is where the Nipah virus was discovered and my hometown was one of the earliest places to be infected with the virus," he told Malay Mail.

Subshan also hoped that by the time he starts in Oxford University in October 2021, classroom education will resume so that he can experience learning from the campus in United Kingdom.

Well done, Subashan!

We wish you luck and are looking forward to seeing all you achieve in the future.