I am a clinical academic and divide my time between providing clinical care and research. I lead a programme of research which aims to prevent infectious diseases in adults through vaccination and testing. Infectious diseases are responsible for millions of deaths around the globe each year and can cause long term health problems in survivors. The treatment of infections is becoming more challenging with rise of antimicrobial resistance. Preventing infection maintains wellbeing, helps preserve antibiotics and has a lower carbon footprint than cure.  My research programme is divided into the following strands.

Clinical trials of new vaccines

There are an increasing number of new vaccines in development aimed preventing infectious diseases in adults. I lead a 15-member strong vaccine delivery team based at the University Hospitals Bristol and Weston and NHS Trust and a regional vaccine delivery network. Through these teams I deliver commercial and non-commercial phase 1 to 3 vaccine trials and support the training of research staff.

Adult vaccination schedules

As the number of vaccines recommended for adults increases, evidence is needed to support how best to deliver them to maintain safety and immunogenicity. I have been awarded over £5 million in funding to investigate vaccine co-administration to inform vaccine policy. The acceptance of multiple vaccines for both those who are administering and being offered vaccines is also key to successful implementation. I aim to incorporate important implementation questions into clinical vaccine trials. I am a co-investigator on the National Immunisation Evaluation Schedules Consortium which has previously been funded by NIHR.

Opportunistic vaccination in hospital settings

One of the pillars of successful vaccine implementation is making vaccination convenient. I am working to understand how best this can be done within hospitals to reduce the number of healthcare appointments people need to attend to get vaccinated.

Improving diagnostics

Diagnosing infections leads to appropriate and timely treatment, avoid unnecessary antibiotic use and prevents onward transmission. I am working on projects to improve diagnostic pathways for tuberculosis, hepatitis C and intravascular catheter infections.

Transparency statement

I have been the Prinicpal and Chief Investigator for trials delivered through the NHS for vaccines developed by Astra-Zeneca (AZ), Valneva, Janssen, and Moderna.

I am the Chief Investigator on an investigator initiated grant from GSK

I organise meetings on behalf of the British Infection Association and UK CVN which receive sponsorship from commercial companies

I have received fees from AZ for a presentation at ECCMID 2022