Paediatric Infectious Disease
Improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention of severe childhood infections
The Section of Paediatric Infectious Disease brings together world-leading research teams focused on improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention of globally important severe and life-threatening infections in children. We study common infectious diseases which can affect any child, whilst also seeking to explain and learn from those who have unusually severe infections. Translational research programs link patients recruited at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and elsewhere with sophisticated laboratory and informatics research methods. Complementary research is also benefitting animal health by tackling important veterinary pathogens. The interdisciplinary membership of the Section includes clinicians, laboratory scientists, molecular and cell biologists, microbiologists, proteomics experts, bioinformaticians and statisticians. The Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group was awarded the 2019 President’s Medal for Outstanding Research Team in Imperial College.
Research groups and centre leadership
Research interests and areas
A selection of the Section's key research areas:
- Genetic determinants of susceptibility and severity of infection
- Pathogenesis of infectious and inflammatory diseases
- Diagnosis and prognosis of infectious diseases
- Immune responses and vaccine design
- Personalised medicine
- Omics approaches
- Severe and chronic viral infections, including HIV and viral hepatitis
- Bacterial infections
- Tuberculosis
- Malaria
Section leadership
Professor Aubrey Cunnington
Section Head, Paediatric Infectious Disease
Professor Aubrey Cunnington is Professor of Paediatric Infectious Disease at Imperial College and Honorary Consultant in Paediatric Infectious Diseases at St Mary's Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. His research focuses on the interactions between hosts and pathogens which result in severe infectious diseases, particularly severe malaria.
Research team
Dr Masanori Asai
Dr Masanori Asai
NC3Rs Training Fellow
Dr Fadil Bidmos
Dr Fadil Bidmos
MRC Career Development Fellow
Professor Aubrey Cunnington
Professor Aubrey Cunnington
Professor of Paediatric Infectious Disease
Dr Felicity Fitzgerald
Dr Felicity Fitzgerald
Senior Clinical Research Fellow
Dr Athina Georgiadou
Dr Athina Georgiadou
Research Associate
Dr Melissa Shea Hamilton
Dr Melissa Shea Hamilton
Research Fellow
Dr Jethro Herberg
Dr Jethro Herberg
Clinical Senior Lecturer
Dr Myrsini Kaforou
Dr Myrsini Kaforou
Senior Research Fellow
Professor Beate Kampmann
Professor Beate Kampmann
Visiting Professor
Professor Paul Langford
Professor Paul Langford
Professor of Paediatric Infectious Diseases
Professor Michael Levin
Professor Michael Levin
Chair in Paediatrics and International Child Health
Dr Stephanie Menikou
Dr Stephanie Menikou
Research Associate
Dr Sandra Newton
Dr Sandra Newton
Senior Research Fellow
Dr Ruud Nijman
Dr Ruud Nijman
NIHR Clinical Lecturer
Dr Helen Payne
Dr Helen Payne
Clinical Lecturer
Dr Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
Dr Vanessa Sancho-Shimizu
Senior Research Fellow
Dr James Seddon
Dr James Seddon
Clinical Senior Lecturer in Paediatric Diseases
Dr Elizabeth Whittaker
Dr Elizabeth Whittaker
Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer
Dr Victoria Wright
Dr Victoria Wright
Research Fellow