ALT In January 2022, while finalizing my MSc thesis, I needed mosquito SNP data to validate my pipeline. A colleague pointed me to the Ag1000G phase 1 paper, but I was confused about the data formats, so I reached out to Alistair Miles. To my surprise (and eternal gratitude), Alistair replied the next day with a detailed response that helped me complete my project.

ALT Hard to say what things looked like 20 years ago, but today, MalariaGEN’s impact is undeniable. The Vector Observatory is a standout: it tackles 2 of the most persistent challenges in Africa: data sharing and capacity building. MalariaGEN didn’t just kill two birds with one stone, it killed three: data, tools, and training.

ALT If the past five years are anything to go by, the next 20 will be an era of accelerated transformation. MalariaGEN has laid a solid foundation. The infrastructure, tools and networks are in place. Now, with rapid advances in AI and sequencing technologies, we’re entering a phase where we can fully integrate genomics into routine malaria control programs.

ALT To me, MalariaGEN means home. I found a community that gets it; that understands the needs of vector researchers in Africa. Kudos to the visionaries who dreamed it, the community who built it and the funders who’ve kept the flame alive.

ALT My involvement began in 2022 when I was selected as a PAMCA Bioinformatics Fellow. That opportunity opened the door to hands-on learning and collaboration in malaria genomics. This marked the start of an exciting journey!

ALT MalariaGEN has built a strong foundation of open genomic data, through a collaborative platform and genomic resource hub and tools that have significantly supported global malaria research and decision-making. It has also brought together a global network of experts working toward malaria control and elimination.

ALT I expect to see more innovation in diagnostics, real-time data analysis, and increased capacity in endemic regions. As the malaria parasite and vectors continue to evolve, strengthening local expertise and infrastructure—through networks like MalariaGEN—will be key to staying ahead.

ALT Coming from a malaria-endemic country and having experienced the disease firsthand, the mission is personal for me. MalariaGEN has shaped my skills in population and vector genomics and connected me with a purpose-driven community working toward eradication. It's a community I hope to grow with and contribute to long-term.

ALT How did you first get involved with MalariaGEN? I joined MalariaGEN in 2009, when I was hired as part of Dominic [Kwiatkowski]’s group to lead on business operations, but my role in the network has evolved over the years. My work with MalariaGEN is my proudest professional achievement.

ALT What is MalariaGEN’s most important impact? MalariaGEN, as a community, has over many years iteratively accelerated infectious disease genomics and open data sharing. We have delivered a well-curated whole genome data resource across human, parasite and vector genomic epidemiology of malaria – arguably the largest infectious disease genomics resource in the world.

ALT What do the next 20 years have in store? Ultimately, I see a move of the centre of gravity of malaria genomics to Africa. I also see many more countries on the pathway to malaria elimination.

ALT What does MalariaGEN meant to you? Community and data. We work together to build something greater than any of us could individually.