Ashenafi Assefa Bahita is a scientist who studies malaria in the IDEEL Lab. He is originally from Ethiopia and came to the US to collaborate with the CDC on his studies on malaria in an advanced laboratory setting. Ashenafi serves as a member of the National Malaria Technical Advisory Committee. During his free time, he enjoys traveling and being out in nature.
What is the focus of your work in the IDEEL Lab?
I joined Dr. Jonathan Parr’s group at IDEEL (Infectious Disease Ecology and Epidemiology Lab) to study malaria diagnostics and treatment. My initial focus was on developing a rapid diagnostic tool for neglected malaria species, particularly Plasmodium malariae. With global progress in malaria control over the past two decades, the burden of P. falciparum and P. vivax has declined (though trends have since changed). This shift brought increased public health attention to the so-called ‘super-neglected’ malaria species (P. malariae and P. ovale) for which diagnostic methods and treatment options remained limited. I was assigned to a team that developed a prototype for a simple isothermal DNA amplification and detection method, designed for use in resource-limited settings.
At IDEEL, malaria is studied in depth, with a particular focus on leveraging genomic technologies to understand and control the cellular mechanisms that influence public health. In line with this approach, my supervisor, Dr. Jonathan Parr, our team, and I secured R01 funding to address a pressing public health challenge: the emergence and spread of diagnostic and treatment-resistant malaria. Our project, named MARE2 (Epidemiology and Determinants of Emerging Artemisinin Resistant Malaria in Ethiopia), was launched at a critical moment: 1) It coincided with our group’s development of a simplified, state of the art multiplexed amplicon sequencing method designed to detect and investigate emerging drug resistance and its associated genetic markers, 2) The project comes at a pivotal time, as Ethiopia and many parts of sub-Saharan Africa are facing a resurgence of malaria and the increasing threat of malaria resistance: factors that could endanger the lives of millions. We are hopeful that our work will continue and contribute meaningful insights and impactful solutions.
What inspired you to work within infectious diseases?
I was initially interested in conservation biology, but after completing my first degree, I joined the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), where I chose to work on medicinal plant research, an area closely aligned with my interests. During this time, I recalled a document from my undergraduate studies that listed medicinal plants traditionally used to treat malaria. I revisited the notes and began investigating the use of medicinal plants in rural Ethiopia. I was both amazed and deeply moved by the struggles of people suffering from preventable and treatable diseases like malaria. This experience motivated me to pursue graduate studies in tropical and infectious diseases, with a particular focus on malaria.
Where are you from, and how did you arrive at UNC?
I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I consider myself both a city and rural boy. My father, a middle school teacher, had a modest home on the northern edge of the city. Just a few minutes’ walk from our house led us to the highland mountains (around 9843 ft in elevation), covered with a beautiful mix of exotic eucalyptus and native Juniperus trees. Encounters with wild hyenas while playing in the forest were not unusual for me and my peers. At the same time, I was never too far from the city’s amenities—I could enjoy a cinema or spend evenings with friends. I am the second of four brothers.
My connection with nature and community played a significant role in shaping my academic journey. Along the way, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the CDC, which brought me to Atlanta to further investigate malaria in an advanced laboratory setting. This experience broadened my perspective and helped me grow into a global citizen, engaging with and presenting at international conferences and scientific gatherings around the world. One such event was the annual meeting of the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (ASTMH), where my Ethiopian colleagues and I were introduced to members of the IDEEL lab. This connection deepened over time, ultimately leading to my recruitment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Dr. Parr’s lab.
What do you like about working with the Institute and the favorite part about what you do?
Our lab is modest but vibrant, driven by brilliant colleagues with world-class expertise. We study infectious diseases (particularly malaria in my case) in great depth. Using genomic sequencing, we investigate subtle genetic changes and assess their impact on diagnostics, treatment and transmission. Our work extends from molecular analysis to real world case management. We engage directly with communities to understand their perspectives, collect data and samples, and use these insights to inform our research. Our results are analyzed, interpreted, and shared with decision makers to help improve the health and livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Beyond this, we publish our findings to contribute to global scientific knowledge, while also creating opportunities for students and young scientists to explore their creativity, understand grassroots challenges, and strengthen North–South scientific collaborations.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
I worked for several years at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI), the technical arm of the Ministry of Health, where we were mandated and committed to generating evidence to support health policy and decision-making. Through this role, I had the privilege of serving as a member of the National Malaria Technical Advisory Committee, which was once chaired by Dr. Tedros Adhanom, the current Director General of the World Health Organization, during his tenure as Ethiopia’s Minister of Health. This experience gave me valuable insight into the complexities of high-level health decision-making, especially in resource-limited settings.
I am currently engaged in an advanced laboratory environment with a vibrant team, where scientific discoveries are both innovative and rapidly evolving. I consider myself a person bridging the two worlds, privileged to participate in cutting-edge research and inventions, while also tasked with translating and adapting these outputs to be practical within the challenges of local contexts. In this regard, I am proud that our group recently conducted a swift investigation into the molecular basis of the current malaria resurgence in Ethiopia. Using technology developed at IDEEL, we built local capacity in Ethiopia and generated crucial evidence. This evidence has already been submitted to decision-makers and will soon be published in a peer-reviewed journal. I take pride in bridging the gap between global innovation and local implementation.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
“Why kill the spider?” Early in my employment at EPHI, I remember one bright morning when I was in my director’s office discussing work. The office was clean and well organized. Suddenly, I noticed a spider quickly dashing toward a corner. I rushed to kill it before it could disappear. But this quickly changed the mood in the office, my director was not happy. “Why did you kill it?” she asked. I thought I was helping keep the office clean. She continued, “Ashenafi, would it be fair if someone bigger and stronger than you just came and killed you just because he doesn’t like you? Maybe you could help the spider out, if you don’t like it in the office…” Her words made me pause and reflect. That moment expanded my understanding of fairness and coexistence. There is always enough space for everyone; it’s just a matter of mindset.
Do you have any hobbies?
I love nature, traveling, and adventure. Jogging is one of my favorite activities that helps me stay connected to these interests. While pursuing my studies at LSHTM in London, I discovered a community event called Parkrun, a global movement where groups of like-minded people gather every Saturday morning at 8:00 a.m. to run 5 kilometers in local parks. Having traveled to over 20 countries, one of the first things I look for is a nearby Parkrun event. After joining UNC, I found the Parkrun in Durham and became a regular participant. I am also proud to have contributed to creating a new Parkrun in Chapel Hill, which has been active every Saturday morning at Umstead Park since 2023.
The Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID) attracts people who are driven to make big change. From principal investigators and grant managers to regulatory specialists and study coordinators, everyone has an important role to play in what we do around the world. This ongoing series highlights colleagues who proudly serve IGHID.