Karshini Jeya Pirathaba has a strong passion for diagnostic microbiology and parasitology, with a particular interest in advancing laboratory diagnostics and translational research for infectious diseases. After obtaining her Master's degree in Pathology (Microbiology) in 2022, she served as a medical microbiologist at Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Hospital Queen Elizabeth, Kota Kinabalu, where she gained extensive experience in clinical microbiology, infectious disease diagnostics, and laboratory medicine.

In December 2023, Dr. Karshini joined the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya. She is currently a lecturer in the Department of Parasitology and serves as the Coordinator of the Parasitology Diagnostic Unit at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), where she is involved in diagnostic services, teaching, and research activities.

Her research focuses on the development, evaluation, and implementation of innovative diagnostic approaches for parasitic diseases. She has a particular interest in the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technologies for intestinal parasite detection and has been involved in studies evaluating the diagnostic performance of automated stool parasite analysers and digital image-based diagnostic platforms. Her work aims to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of parasitological diagnosis through the integration of emerging technologies into routine laboratory practice.

In addition, her research interests include the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of Strongyloides stercoralis infection, particularly among vulnerable and immunocompromised populations. Her current work focuses on evaluating novel serological assays for strongyloidiasis and investigating the complementary role of conventional parasitological methods, including agar plate culture, in improving diagnostic accuracy and identifying active infection.

Dr. Karshini is also actively involved in malaria research, with a particular focus on Plasmodium knowlesi, the predominant cause of malaria in Malaysia. Her research encompasses antimalarial drug efficacy studies, in vitro drug susceptibility testing and chemoprophylactic strategies. She is especially interested in generating evidence that supports effective treatment, prevention, and control measures for zoonotic malaria.

More recently, her work has expanded into the intersection between environmental protozoa and antimicrobial resistance. Her research investigates the role of Acanthamoeba spp. as environmental reservoirs and potential “Trojan horses” for clinically important bacterial pathogens. Through in vitro co-culture models, she examines how amoebae influence bacterial survival, adaptation, virulence, biofilm formation, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, providing insights into the environmental drivers of infectious diseases.

Beyond her academic and laboratory work, Dr. Karshini is actively involved in community engagement and health awareness initiatives. She has participated in and led outreach programmes that promote public health education, parasite and vector-borne disease awareness, hygiene practices, and preventive health measures. She also has a keen interest in integrating mindfulness-based practices into community health programmes, particularly among children and underserved communities, with the aim of fostering mental well-being, self-awareness, and healthier lifestyles alongside disease prevention.

Through her research, teaching, diagnostic, and community service activities, Dr. Karshini aims to bridge laboratory innovation with clinical and public health applications, contributing to improved diagnosis, surveillance, treatment, prevention, and health awareness in the field of infectious and parasitic diseases.