Kaung Myat Thu

Looking the World through My Windows: From Fictions to Real Lives

Public Health Profile

Dr. Kaung Myat Thu

MBBS, MMedSc, MPH

Health Researcher, Program Manager, Educator

Summary
  • A public health professional with dual master’s degrees.
  • Expertise in health research, project management, disease surveillance, data management, and training.
  • Proven track record in leading mixed methods research projects, building strategic partnerships, and enhancing health systems.
  • Committed to health equity and social justice.

Education

Master of Public Health (MPH) in Health Services (Social & Behavioral Sciences concentration)

University of Washington

Seattle, USA · 2022 – 2024

Thesis: Experiences and perspectives of healthcare providers and community members in conflict-affected areas of Sagaing Region, Myanmar, after the 2021 military coup: a qualitative study

Master of Medical Science (MMedSc) in Preventive and Tropical Medicine

University of Medicine Mandalay

Mandalay, Myanmar · 2016 – 2017

Thesis: Serum cholinesterase level and associated factors of organophosphate poisoning among exposed farm workers in selected townships of Mandalay Region, Myanmar

Graduated with distinctions in Biostatistics and Epidemiology.

Bachelor of Medicine; Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS)

University of Medicine Mandalay

Mandalay, Myanmar · 2006 – 2012

Graduated with Distinctions in General Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Forensic Medicine

Areas of Expertise

Mixed methods research

Data management and analysis

Research publication

Academic and community training

Health systems strengthening

Health in conflict settings

Disease surveillance

Infectious diseases

Reproductive health

Health behaviors

Primary clinical care

Community centered care

Team leadership

Program management

Program evaluation

Fund management

Organization and coordination

Verbal and written communication

Technology proficiency

  • Stata, R, SPSS, NVivo, Deedose, ATLAS.ti
  • REDCap, EpiData, KoboToolbox
  • Microsoft Office

Languages

  • Burmese, Mother tongue
  • English, Professional
  • Spanish, Learning

Professional experiences

Washington State Department of Health, United States 

Community Health Worker Training Program Manager (Health Services Consultant 4)

Oct 2024 – Present

Led the design, implementation, and evaluation of the statewide Community Health Worker Training Program aligned with state workforce development goals, ensuring seamless program operations and high-quality learning outcomes

Contributed to curriculum development, modernization, and instructional design, integrating community health principles, health equity, and cultural humility.

Built and maintained strategic partnerships with internal programs and community-based organizations to expand training access and enhance program impact.

Burnet Institute, Yangon, Myanmar 

Senior Researcher (Technical Specialist – Malaria)

Jan 2020 – Jul 2022

Designed, implemented, and evaluated multi-country implementation research projects in malaria prevention, surveillance, and response.

Developed strategic relationships to empower government health departments, non-government organizations, and communities for regional malaria elimination. 

Built and managed multi-component research databases, optimized quality data collection, and analyzed quantitative and qualitative research data.

Timely communicated policy actions and coauthored in research publications.

State Health Department, Kayin State, Myanmar

Health Systems Strengthening Officer

Jun 2019 – Dec 2019

Forged strategic partnership and coordination among the State Health Department, non-government organizations, tribal organizations, and donor agencies.

Managed and streamlined ACCESS State Health Grant funding for Health Systems Strengthening Program and State Health Plan development and implementation.

University of Community Health, Magway, Myanmar

Assistant Lecturer

Feb 2018 – May 2019

Effectively instructed Environmental Health Sciences to undergraduate, graduate, and certificate program students with innovative methods and real-life scenarios. 

Developed comprehensive course syllabi, handouts, lecture presentations, teaching aids, homework assignments, and other course materials.

Delivered engaging lectures, moderated dynamic classroom discussions, evaluated assignments and exam papers, organized field visits, and mentored research projects.

University of Medicine, Mandalay, Myanmar

Demonstrator

Feb 2015 – Feb 2018

Effectively facilitated Preventive and Social Medicine to Year 4 MBBS students and Community Medicine to resident doctors.

Facilitated classroom dynamics, delivered lectures, moderated in-class discussions, organized field visits, and supervised assignments and research projects.

1000-bedded Hospital, Naypyidaw, Myanmar

Medical Officer

Jul 2014 – Feb 2015

Provided quality care in Surgery, Orthopedics, and Internal Medicine Departments.

Efficiently operated routine in-patient care and attended outpatient visits.

Performed or assisted elective and emergency surgical operations.

Population Services International, Shan State, Myanmar

Health Services Officer

Mar 2013 – Oct 2013

Improved reproductive health, tuberculosis, malaria, child health, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections through clinic-based and community-based programs.

Ensured quality service provision and reporting of primary care doctors and community volunteers through regular on-site supervision and technical assistance.

Programs and Projects Contributed

Research
  • Experiences and perspectives of healthcare providers and community members in conflict-affected areas of Sagaing Region, Myanmar, after the 2021 military coup: a qualitative study · University of Washington, 2023 – 2024, MPH thesis, Role – Principal investigator
  • Family planning services for Myanmar immigrants in humanitarian settings: A systematic review · RISE Myanmar, 2024 – 2025, Role – Co-investigator
  • Optimizing reactive surveillance and response strategies to achieve malaria elimination across the Greater Mekong Subregion: A mixed-methods evaluation study · Burnet Institute, 2021 – 2023, Role – Co-investigator
  • A personal protection package for reducing malaria transmission in forest-going mobile and migrant populations in Myanmar, Laos PDR, and Cambodia: A stepped-wedge trial with nested mixed-methods study · Burnet Institute, 2021 – 2023, Role – Co-investigator
  • Abundance, composition, behavior, and transmission potential of Anopheles spp. mosquitoes in the forest and farm of Duc Co and Krong Pa districts, Gia Lai Province, Vietnam · Burnet Institute, 2021 – 2022, Role – Co-investigator
  • Optimal community-delivered malaria elimination model for the Greater Mekong Sub-region: Evaluation of the implementation effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the Community-delivered Integrated Malaria Elimination model: Myanmar · Burnet Institute, 2020 – 2023, Role – Co-investigator
  • Assessing the effectiveness of the Malaria Case-Based Reporting application compared to the Paper-Based Reporting system for the reporting of malaria cases in Myanmar: a mixed methods evaluation study · Burnet Institute, 2020 – 2022, Role – Co-investigator
  • Serum cholinesterase level and associated factors of organophosphate poisoning among exposed farm workers in selected townships of Mandalay Region, Myanmar ·University of Medicine Mandalay, 2017, MMedSc thesis, Role – Principal investigator
Evaluation and Assessment
  • Evaluation of the NGO Code of Conduct for Health Systems Strengthening · 2023, MPH practicum project, Role: Student partner & evaluator                  
  • A statewide survey of Washington State hospitals’ compliance with the Charity Care Law · Northwest Health Law Advocates, Seattle, 2023, Role – Data analyst
Health Promotion
  • Malaria and Those Who Escaped from Death, featuring Mr. Bwang Taung: A comic book for communicating malaria prevention among mobile and migrant populations ·Burnet Institute, 2021 – 2022, Role – Content, story, and scriptwriter
  • Every Move Counts: Staff physical activity promotion program · Burnet Institute, 2022, Role – Program lead
Teaching and training
  • Community Health Worker Training Program · Washington State Department of Health, 2024 – Present, Role – Program manager, subject matter expert, curriculum design & development. Community Health Worker Core Competency course and various add-on health specific modules.
  • Bachelor of Community Health, Master of Community Health, and Condensed Health Assistant Certificate Programs · University of Community Health Magway, 2018 – 2019, Role – Instructor. Instructed Environmental Health Sciences (multiple topics)
  • Medical Bachelor and Bachelor of Surgery Program and Community Medicine Training Program · University of Medicine Mandalay, 2015 – 2018, Role – Facilitator, instructor, research supervisor. Instructed Preventive and Social Medicine (selected topics), facilitated urban posting training
  • Community Integrated Malaria Elimination Volunteer Training · Burnet Institute, 2020 – 2021, Role – Lead, curriculum and training package development, trainer
  • Sun Primary Health Volunteer Training, Sun Quality Health Provider Training, and Implant Contraception Provider Training · Population Services International, 2013, Role – Organizer, facilitator
  • Independent research coaching, research method training, Biostatistics training, and research data analysis consultation · 2016 – Present

Awards and Recognitions

  • Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship (2022 Cohort) for Master of Public Health program at the University of Washington (2022 – 2024) (Award: USD 44,390)
  • Full Tuition Waiver by the University of Washington School of Public Health for Master of Public Health Program (2022 – 2024) (Award: USD 76,604)
  • USABCI-Myanmar Scholarship by the US-ASEAN Business Council Institute (USABCI) (2023 – 2024) (Award: USD 5,000)
  • Completed the MMedSc degree program with distinctions in Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
  • Completed the MBBS degree program with distinctions in General Pathology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Forensic Medicine.
  • Abstract Scholarship for highest reviewer scores among International Health students at APHA Annual Meeting & Expo 2024 (Oct 2024)
  • Oral Paper Presentation Prize (Third Prize) at the University of Medicine, Mandalay Research Conference (May 2018)
  • External Research Grant by Department of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Sports, Myanmar for the master’s degree project in 2017 (Award: MMK 1,000,000)
  • Good-will Youth Ambassador (Participating Youth of Myanmar Contingent) for the 45th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP 45) (2018) (Oct 2018 – Dec 2018) (SSEAYP International and Japan Cabinet Office)
  • Youth Ambassador for the Short-term Exchange Program for ASEAN High School Students (AFS Intercultural Program) (December 2006) (AFS, Japan)
  • Passed matriculation examination with Distinctions in all subjects and ranked as the 8th of Myanmar (2006)

Publications

Published articles
  1. Win Han Oo, Kaung Myat Thu, et. al (2021). Sustainability of a mobile phone application-based data reporting system in Myanmar’s malaria elimination program: A qualitative study. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making, 21(1), 285. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12911-021-01646-z (Role: Shared first author)
  2. Win Han Oo, et. al (2025). Implementation and fidelity of reactive surveillance and response strategies for malaria elimination: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Public Health, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001180 (Role: Co-author)
  3. Win Han Oo, Kaung Myat Khant, et. al (2025). Acceptability, feasibility and fidelity of an expanded role for community health workers for malaria elimination in Myanmar: A mixed-method study. PLOS Global Public Health, 5(8), e0004986. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0004986 (Role: Co-author)
  4. Thang, N. X., Win Han Oo, et. al (2024). Facilitators, barriers and acceptability of malaria reactive surveillance and response strategies in Vietnam: A mixed-methods study. BMJ Public Health, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-000961 (Role: Co-author)
  5. Win Han Oo, et. al (2024). Effectiveness of an expanded role for community health workers on malaria blood examination rates in malaria elimination settings in Myanmar: An open stepped-wedge, cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia, 31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lansea.2024.100499 (Role: Co-author)
  6. Win Htike, et. al (2024). Comprehensive evaluation of malaria reactive surveillance and response strategies in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A mixed-methods study. BMJ Open, 14(8), e083060. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2023-083060(Role: Co-author)
  7. Win Han Oo, et. al (2023). Performance and feasibility of reactive surveillance and response strategies for malaria elimination in Vietnam: A mixed-methods study. Malaria Journal, 22(1), 229. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04660-w(Role: Co-author)
  8. Van Dung, N., et. al (2023). Anopheles diversity, biting behaviour and transmission potential in forest and farm environments of Gia Lai province, Vietnam. Malaria Journal, 22(1), 204. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-023-04631-1 (Role: Co-author)
  9. Win Htike, Win Han Oo, et. al (2022). Reducing malaria transmission in forest-going mobile and migrant populations in Lao PDR and Cambodia: Protocol for stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial. BMC Infectious Diseases, 22(1), 747. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-022-07724-5 (Role: Co-author)
  10. May Chan Oo, Phongluxa, K., et. al (2022). Perspectives of health and community stakeholders on community-delivered models of malaria elimination in Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 17(3), e0264399. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0264399 (Role: Co-author)
  11. Win Han Oo, et. al (2021). Evaluation of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of a Community-delivered Integrated Malaria Elimination (CIME) model in Myanmar: Protocol for an open stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 11(8), e050400. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050400 (Role: Co-author)
  12. Win Han Oo, Win Htike, et. al (2021). A mobile phone application for malaria case-based reporting to advance malaria surveillance in Myanmar: A mixed methods evaluation. Malaria Journal, 20(1), 167. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-021-03701-6(Role: Co-author)
  13. Kaung Myat Thu & San Kyu Kyu Aye. (2018). Serum Cholinesterase Level and Associated Factors of Organophosphate Poisoning among Exposed Farm Workers in Selected Townships of Mandalay Region. UMM Research Journal, 1(2), 17–21. (Role: First author)
Works in progress
  1. Kaung Myat Thu, et. al, 2024. New alternative healthcare systems in Northwest Myanmar’s Sagaing Region post-military coup: qualitative insights from anti-junta healthcare workers and community members. (To submit to: The BMJ) (Role: first author)
  2. Kaung Myat Thu, et. al, 2024. Wellbeing of resistance healthcare workers in post-military coup conflict settings of Northwest Myanmar’s Sagaing Region: a qualitative study. (To submit to: BMJ Global Health) (Role: first author)
Book chapters in progress
  1. Kaung Myat Thu. (2025). Authoritarian-Regime-Resistant Health Systems. In De Gruyter Handbook of conflict and health. De Gruyter. (Role: sole author)
Conference presentations
  1. Kaung Myat Thu, et al.: Health crisis in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, post-2021 military coup: Insights from healthcare providers and community members. In: APHA Annual Meeting & Expo: 27-30 October 2024; 2024. (Oral presentation)
  2. Kaung Myat Thu, Shaan-Isabelle Shridhar, et al.: Evaluation of the NGO code of conduct for health systems strengthening in an evolving global health context.In: APHA Annual Meeting & Expo: 27-30 October 2024; 2024. (Poster presentation)
  3. Kaung Myat Thu, Win Han Oo, et al.: Sustainability of a mobile phone application-based data reporting system in Myanmar’s malaria elimination program: a qualitative study. In: Malaria in Melbourne 2021: 28-29 October 2021: Online; 2021. (Poster presentation)
  4. Kaung Myat Thu, San Kyu Kyu Aye: Serum Cholinesterase Level and Associated Factors of Organophosphate Poisoning among Exposed Farm Workers in Selected Townships of Mandalay Region. In: University of Medicine, Mandalay Research Conference 2018: 3 to 4 May, 2018: University of Medicine, Mandalay; 2018: UMMRC18-07. (Oral presentation)
Reports
  1. Evaluation report on the Health Alliance International website. Available at: https://ngocodeofconduct.org/suggested-readings/evaluation-of-the-code-of-conduct/