Vale Professor Sir Nicholas (Nick) White FRCP FMedSci FRS FBPhS (13 March 1951 – 1 February 2026)

Professor Sir Nicholas (Nick) White FRCP FMedSci FRS FBPhS (13 March 1951 – 1 February 2026) was an internationally respected physician–scientist whose work had a profound impact on global health and on Australia’s infectious diseases community. A Macfarlane Burnet Orator in 2004 at the Alice Springs conference and Honorary Life Member of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases, these honours reflected both his scientific standing and his long-standing engagement with Australian clinicians and researchers. Through decades of collaborative work across the Asia–Pacific region, he helped shape modern treatment of malaria and other infectious diseases, while mentoring generations of doctors and scientists. Nick was held in deep regard not only for his scientific achievements, but also for his generosity, clarity of thought, humour, and enduring commitment to evidence-based medicine. Clinicians and researchers who had the privilege of working with him universally acknowledged Nick as one of the most influential and remarkable scientists they had ever met. He was, quite simply, a giant in the field of global health. The infectious diseases community is fortunate that he applied his extraordinary talents to our specialty. Beyond medicine, Nick took great pride in his cricket. He played for Thailand and served as vice-captain of the Thailand national cricket team, and he remained passionately devoted to Ashes cricket. His pioneering research defined the theory and evidence underpinning the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy for uncomplicated malaria and intravenous artesunate for severe malaria. Over the past two decades, more than a billion patients with malaria have benefited from this work, saving millions of lives. His seminal contributions also extended to melioidosis, dengue, typhoid fever, scrub typhus, tuberculosis, and many other infectious diseases. For those who worked with him, Nick created an environment that was both highly enjoyable and productive. Perhaps his most important legacy, however, is that he inspired generations of clinicians and researchers to use science and robust evidence to improve clinical care.

Professor Joseph Doyle       Dr Irene Kourtis
President, ASID               CEO, ASID

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