Best of CASE Asia-Pacific Region Award
 

Institution: National University of Singapore

Title of entry: Duane Gubler: Duke-NUS’ “Indiana Jones” fights the curse of dengue

About this entry: Renowned for his adventurous expeditions and significant contributions to dengue research, Duane Gubler has transformed the landscape of tropical disease understanding. Nicknamed “Indiana Jones in a lab coat”, Gubler’s career is a testament to the power of adventure fused with rigorous science. He chased dengue outbreaks across Pacific islands and later Puerto Rica: not mere adventures but missions dedicated to unravelling the mysteries of dengue fever. Working “Indie”-style meant that his approach was hands-on. On any given day, he could be taking clinical histories, bleeding patients, performing lab tests, and conducting entomological surveys or mosquito taxonomy. And more than just a series of jolly jaunts, these trips yielded data, meticulously investigated and recorded over a quarter century, that are underpinning dengue breakthroughs happening today. With his work, Gubler has laid the foundation for significant breakthroughs in the battle against dengue.

This was a much-deserved profile exactly because of Gubler’s pioneering work in the field of dengue research, and how he transformed our understanding and management of a disease that for a brief moment after WWII seemed tameable. His adventurous spirit and love for science make for an intriguing and vivid read. Gubler’s leadership in establishing surveillance systems and his significant impact on public health policies have made him a revered figure in combating infectious diseases, saving countless lives worldwide.