Navy Medicine’s Chief Scientist Tours Southeast Asia; NAMRU INDO PACIFIC Shines

SINGAPORE – The head of Navy Medicine’s research efforts, Capt. Franca Jones, recently wrapped up a significant tour of Southeast Asia. From July 15-26, Capt. Jones, commander of the Naval Medical Research Command (NMRC), visited the Naval Medical Research Unit (NAMRU) in the INDO-PACIFIC region.

Jones oversees eight commands under Navy Medicine Research & Development (NMR&D), which includes three overseas units. NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, headquartered in Singapore, serves as a pivotal regional hub. The unit’s mission tackles emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, ensuring both military and public health security in collaboration with local nations.

The tour commenced in Hanoi, Vietnam. There, Jones engaged with command leadership and area partners, reflecting NAMRU INDO PACIFIC’s decade-long collaboration with Vietnam’s government agencies. The focus here has been researching diseases like malaria, influenza, and respiratory pathogens.

“This work has guided malaria countermeasures and elimination policies in Vietnam,” stated Lt. Cmdr. Jose Garcia, NAMRU INDO PACIFIC’s director in Vietnam. “Our future aims include expanding research to inform force health protection policy.”

In Malaysia, Jones began in Kuala Lumpur, meeting partners from the University of Malaysia and the Malaysian Armed Forces. She also visited Kota Kinabalu, on the island of Borneo.

Lt. Cmdr. Dawn Weir leads NAMRU INDO PACIFIC’s efforts in Malaysia. “My mission involves strengthening partnerships and enhancing medical readiness,” she said. In Malaysia since 2009, the unit’s recent years have seen an uptick in partnerships and research efforts, involving local universities and military.

After Malaysia, Jones finished her tour in Singapore, meeting the unit’s staff. Capt. Andrew Letizia, science director of NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, highlighted the focus on infectious diseases not typically found in the U.S., underscoring the importance of this research for safeguarding military health.

Letizia emphasized, “We need ongoing surveillance and countermeasures for medical readiness in the INDOPACOM AOR.”

Jones’ visit was also marked by a change of command at NAMRU INDO PACIFIC, with Capt. Nicholas Martin taking over from Capt. Jonathan Stahl, who retired after 30 years of service.

“NAMRU INDO PACIFIC’s location in a geopolitically dynamic region makes it critical for Navy Medicine,” said Garcia. “it’s both situated at a major epicenter for emerging infectious disease threats as well as within a highly dynamic geopolitical environment”.

The NMR&D enterprise’s eight laboratories engage in a variety of research, supporting Navy, Marine Corps, and joint U.S. warfighters. This includes studies on infectious diseases, biological warfare detection, combat casualty care, environmental health concerns, and more.

Story originally posted on DVIDS: Navy Medicine’s Top Researcher Visits Southeast Asia; NAMRU INDO PACIFIC Shows Off