Sandy Douglas Lab Group

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 Marco Polo Peralta- M.D, PhD joined the Douglas Group in 2023 as a Senior Scientist bringing with him a strong background in Vaccine Immunology. He obtained his medical degree in 2017 and went on to earn his DPhil in Clinical Medicine from the Jenner Institute. His doctoral research focused on characterising vaccine-induced antibody responses in humans and non-human primates. Marco is contributing to an ambitious project aiming to achieve the rapid production of adenovirus-vectored vaccine seed and clinical trial materials in under 60 days for emergency pandemic responses funded by CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations). Marco’s work in the group has deepened his expertise in bioprocessing, vaccine development and manufacturing with adenoviral vectors. He is grateful to be passionate about using accelerated vaccine manufacturing platforms to enhance pandemic preparedness and is now focused on the technology transfer of these processes to GMP manufacturing.

Megan Perry joined us 2 months ago. She is a Biochemistry Masters student excited to work within the Douglas group for the next 9 months. Her project is a preclinical evaluation of candidate Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) vaccine antigens. It has the potential to significantly impact the fight against EBV-related diseases. Megan is passionate about vaccine development and hopes to continue working in the field after completing her project.

𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒. Catherine Cherry joined the Douglas group as a Senior Scientist one year ago in 2023. She completed her PhD at Imperial College London in the Department of Infectious Disease. During her first year with the Douglas Group, she contributed to multiple projects including the EBV vaccine development project, and has embraced the new challenges of developing a pandemic-ready vaccine platform using VLP technology.   Being a member of the Douglas group has allowed Catherine to expand her knowledge of bioprocess development and GMP manufacturing. She is very excited about the opportunity to contribute to the improvement of global public health by focusing on emerging diseases and pandemic responses through vaccine manufacturing. 

𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁! Rinter Kimathi recently joined Sandy’s lab after moving from the University of Glasgow, where she was pursuing a PhD in immunology. She is enthusiastic about her new role, as it offers her the chance to broaden her knowledge in clinical trials and immunology. In her new role, Rinter is eager to contribute to the development of essential vaccines targeting various neglected pathogens.

We're recruiting a Project Manager to support our work on using microneedle patches to deliver vaccines, funded by CEPI. If you'd like to use your skills to support work improving access to vaccines, this could be the job for you! https://lnkd.in/g_3j8fit

Feature from Mensa Indonesia

Today Alexander (Sandy) Douglas and Adam Ritchie from the group gave evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology about Lessons for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout. Topics for discussion were how was the the vaccine large-scale manufacturing programme such a success, and what lessons have, or haven't, been learnt from the pandemic. Along with colleagues Cath Green and James Miskin, we explored the lack of joined up thinking from the UK government since the pandemic, the risk this creates for us all, and some ideas around how to change things for the better to make us all safer. We were able to draw on support during the pandemic (and since) from the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the Vaccines Taskforce under Kate Bingham, Ian McCubbin CBE, Robin Shattock, AstraZeneca, Jenner Institute and Nuffield Department of Medicine. You can watch the recording of the session here: https://lnkd.in/gqi6yTAe

Prof. Faith Osier, Director of the Chanjo Hub at Imperial College London, shares her vision for advancing vaccine and biologics manufacturing in Africa in the article below. If you would like to know more about our work at Chanjo Hub, you can contact us at info@chanjohub.com https://lnkd.in/dkEtxRKx

𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. Rameswara Reddy Segireddy is a seasoned team member, with nearly seven years of dedicated service. His contributions have been invaluable, spanning diverse projects such as malaria, COVID-19 manufacturing, and preclinical EBV candidate vaccines. Ram thrives in the collaborative environment and the dynamic nature of his work, which encompasses both vaccine development and clinical trials. With a keen interest in advancing his career, he aspires to become a Principal Investigator. Keep an eye out for his upcoming publications.

We're delighted to work with MOSHI MOSHI SHABANI and his colleagues Ifakara Health Institute in the battle against rabies. His experience of working with rabies patients reminds us of how important it is to deliver change for rabies prevention and treatment.