While other kids were dreaming of becoming astronauts or singers, 14-year-old Curtis Hoffmann (MMBIO, ’23) found himself drawn to infectious diseases. One book in particular, The Hot Zone: A Terrifying True Story by Richard Preston, which explored the Ebola outbreaks of 1976 and 1989, captivated his attention. “The way Preston described that story, which is nonfiction, was just terrifying,” Hoffmann says. “They say those types of books can either inspire you or terrify you; for me, I chose the inspiration route.” Fueled with curiosity, Hoffmann made it his life goal to be a virologist.
At the age of 18, Hoffmann interned at the Center for Innovative Phage Applications and Therapeutics, the first experimental phage therapy center in North America and a facility that works to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. Soon after, he embarked on what would become one of the most transformative experiences of his life: a Latter-day Saint mission to Thailand. While there, Hoffmann fell in love with the people and the culture, and when the COVID-19 pandemic reached their shores, he was heartbroken. Thailand was one of the first countries to have a positive COVID case, and he witnessed firsthand how the virus ravaged the nation.
After completing his mission, Hoffmann dove headfirst into his virology studies as a student in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology at BYU. He eagerly absorbed his course content, learning in depth about the outbreaks, symptoms, and treatments of viral infections and diseases. He knew that these skills would serve him in collaborating with Thai healthcare professionals, and he wanted nothing more than to go back to Thailand to conduct research. Since Thailand is often ground zero for outbreaks due to its biodiversity and growing population, Thai microbiologists are considered leading experts in their field. With a great deal of prayer and hard work, Hoffmann was awarded the Boren Scholarship, giving him the opportunity to realize his dream.
Once back in Thailand, Hoffmann’s missionary experience opened doors of collaboration, connecting him with the country’s professionals. “As you start speaking in the language, suddenly we understand each other; to them, it’s like you took the time to understand who they are as a people, which means you understand their culture because you speak their language,” Hoffmann remarks. “Many researchers wanted to introduce me to their friends and their colleagues as a result.”
One such collaborator was Dr. Supaporn Wacharapluesadee, nicknamed the “bat lady” of Thailand for her efforts in monitoring the Nipah virus, a bat-borne pathogen with a high mortality rate. Under her guidance, Hoffmann translated parts of a grant to advance pathogen surveillance in Thailand and the surrounding regions. Hoffmann found Wacharapluesadee’s support invaluable for his higher education pursuits. “Connecting with her has led to every experience since,” he says.
After traces of melioidosis, a disease similar to pneumonia and tuberculosis, were found in the southern United States, the US government sought training from Thai medical professionals who were well-versed in mitigation methods. Hoffmann witnessed the power of intercontinental collaboration as the two countries unified efforts to prevent the emerging disease’s dissemination. Hoffmann found that building connections and working together is the strongest way to save lives when a pandemic occurs.
As you start speaking in the language. . . to them, it’s like you took the time to understand who they are as a people, which means you understand their culture because you speak their language.
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The time Hoffmann spent in Thailand as a BYU student expanded his mind, allowed him to reconnect with the Thai people, and opened doors for future research collaborations.
Moving forward, Hoffmann plans to work on a surveillance project in Thailand that will detect novel viruses before they can wreak havoc on the public. The return visit will also feature a project to aid low- and middle-income countries in using genomic data, a skill that could enhance virus-hunting attempts. Hoffmann’s experiences in Thailand have strengthened his passion for virology, and he looks forward to making a difference in the lives of others through his work.