Professor Nick White
Nick White was Professor of Tropical Medicine at the University of Oxford and Mahidol University in Thailand. He was a central figure in the development of the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) and its sister unit, the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Vietnam (OUCRU). In these endeavours he was supported by the Wellcome Trust throughout his career.
From his arrival in Thailand in 1980, he was closely involved in establishing MORU as a leading centre for clinical research on malaria and other infectious diseases, working in long-term partnership with local hospitals, clinicians, and researchers. Under his scientific leadership, MORU became world renowned for clinical research that combined methodological rigour with direct relevance to patient care.
Nick was internationally recognised as a leading expert in malaria therapeutics, making seminal contributions to the field that transformed global policy. At a time when resistance to existing antimalarial drugs threatened effective treatment, Nick led a team that generated the clinical evidence through multinational clinical trials that underpinned the widespread adoption of artemisinin drugs. He developed the theory and evidence to support artemisinin-based combination therapies, which have become the standard of care for Plasmodium falciparum malaria, and intravenous artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria. These treatments have been used in more than a billion patients and saved millions of lives. His work continues to shape clinical practice.
Nick’s scientific interests extended to other infectious diseases of major public health importance, including dengue, melioidosis, typhoid fever, and tetanus. Across these areas, his research was grounded in careful clinical observation and a consistent focus on practical solutions that had maximum impact on health outcomes. His pragmatic approach ensured that his findings were applicable in real-world settings, particularly in resource-limited environments. He made further important contributions to healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He placed particular importance on training and collaboration. Over the course of his career, Nick supported and supervised hundreds of clinicians and scientists, especially in Southeast Asia, strengthening local research capacity alongside international collaboration. Many of those he worked with have gone on to lead research programmes of their own, reflecting his long-standing commitment to building sustainable scientific partnerships, and empowering his colleagues to become leaders in their own right.
Nick authored or co-authored more than 1,300 peer-reviewed scientific publications. He contributed extensively to international advisory bodies, including those of the World Health Organization. His achievements were recognised through honours, including election as a Fellow of the Royal Society and appointment as Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, as well as being awarded the Canada Gairdner Global Health Award in 2010 and Thailand's Prince Mahidol Award in 2011.
Nick’s legacy is reflected in the treatments now used worldwide, the research units and collaborations he helped to establish, and the many colleagues and students influenced by his work. He will be remembered with enormous affection, respect and gratitude by those who worked alongside him and will be sorely missed.
Within Oxford, Nick was respected for his deep commitment to patient care through his work as a consultant at the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - he returned every year to contribute to the general medical rota - and was known by his friends for his unparalleled wit, humour, sage advice, and commitment to cricket.
The Nuffield Department of Medicine extends its deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.