Congratulations new Professors
7 Oct, 2026
The University's latest Recognition of Distinction Exercise has awarded the Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global health four new Professors: Anthony Etyang, Dorcas Kamuya, Melissa Kapulu, Thuong Nguyen Thuy Thuong, in recognition of their research achievements, contribution to teaching, and contribution to the general work of the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
IHTM welcomes its 2026/27 cohort
2 Oct, 2026
This year’s IHTM cohort of 21 students from 16 different countries across Africa, Asia and Europe came together at Rhodes House for the programme’s annual leadership retreat, marking the start of their year at Oxford and their journey as a cohort.
Oxford named best university in the world for record 11 years in a row
2 Oct, 2026
Oxford has been named the top university in the world for an 11th straight year by the Times Higher Education's 2027 World University Rankings.
Seven day primaquine treatment for P. vivax malaria in India as effective as fourteen day regimen
2 Oct, 2026
A multicentre randomised controlled trial in India has found that a seven-day primaquine regimen for the radical cure of Plasmodium vivax malaria is as effective and safe as the currently standard fourteen-day regimen, with patients more likely to complete the full course of treatment. The findings are published in The Lancet Regional Health – Southeast Asia.
Salum Mshamu named a 2026 TIME Trailblazer
30 Sep, 2026
Congratulations to Salum Mshamu on being selected as one of TIME’s inaugural 2026 Trailblazers: Designing and Making the Future. A University of Oxford DPhil student, Salum was recognised for his contribution to research showing how improved housing design can reduce malaria and other childhood illnesses.
Ruam Thai Phatthana 2 Clinic Officially Opens in Phop Phra District
24 Sep, 2026
The Ruam Thai Phatthana 2 (RTS) Clinic was officially opened on 24 September 2026 in Ruam Thai Subdistrict, Phop Phra District, Tak Province, marking a new chapter in healthcare services for communities along the Thailand–Myanmar border.
Beyond Rescue: OUCRU Nepal Researchers Call for Stronger Health-System Resilience After Nepal’s 2026 Flood
22 Sep, 2026
A new Comment published in The Lancet by OUCRU Nepal researchers Dr Abhilasha Karkey, Dr Sudeep Adhikari, and Dr Buddha Basnyat highlights an important lesson from Nepal’s 2026 flood: responding to a major disaster requires more than immediate rescue and emergency care.
Oxford, WHO and partners announce next-generation AI initiative to detect, assess and respond to pandemics
21 Sep, 2026
The University of Oxford has been awarded €8 million through the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme to coordinate the development of the Pandemics AI Observatory (PANDAI). Led by the University in partnership with the World Health Organization and an international consortium of leading research, public health and technology partners, the three-year project will develop and deploy advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models to transform the detection, assessment, prediction and response to global infectious disease threats.
Dr Buddha Basnyat Receives the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BMJ Awards South Asia 2026
18 Sep, 2026
We are delighted to celebrate Dr Buddha Basnyat, who has been honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BMJ Awards South Asia 2026, held in New Delhi on 5 September 2026. The BMJ Awards South Asia recognise individuals and teams making important contributions to healthcare across the region. The awards celebrate work across clinical care, research, education, innovation and healthcare leadership.
Behind the Title: Becoming an Oxford Professor (at NDM): Featuring Professor Direk Limmathurotsakul
15 Sep, 2026
The Behind the Title: Becoming an Oxford Professor (at NDM) series highlights the diverse journeys of our professors and the many paths that lead to academic leadership. By sharing their journeys we aim to showcase the breadth of backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences represented across the Department, demonstrating that there is no single route to becoming a professor at Oxford.
Building the world's evidence base to tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis
9 Sep, 2026
£10 million international research programme launches across India, Kazakhstan, Mozambique, South Africa and Vietnam.
Making Antimicrobial Resistance Accessible: Balram’s Story from Nepal
9 Sep, 2026
How can we make antimicrobial resistance (AMR) research easier to understand? A comic booklet developed by the Public Engagement Department at OUCRU Nepal uses Balram’s story to communicate key messages about AMR and responsible antibiotic use in an accessible and engaging way, helping bring research evidence closer to communities in Nepal.
New IDDO perspective paper highlights challenges of sharing historical clinical trial data
9 Sep, 2026
In a new paper, researchers from the Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) outline the challenges and lessons learned from conducting individual participant data meta-analyses (IPD-MA) in neglected tropical diseases.
Landmark South Asian trial strengthens evidence for WHO-recommended typhoid treatment
8 Sep, 2026
OUCRU Nepal and international collaborators have published the results of the study ACT-South Asia, the largest trial comparing azithromycin alone with azithromycin plus cefixime for uncomplicated typhoid fever. Conducted across Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, the study found no benefit from combination therapy. The findings support current WHO guidance and reinforce antimicrobial stewardship by discouraging unnecessary antibiotic use across South Asia’s health systems.
New Nature Health commentary calls for solidarity in a more transactional global health era
8 Sep, 2026
As geopolitical interests drive a more transactional global health era, a new Nature Health commentary argues for solidarity to guide how resources are shared, decisions are made and health equity is advanced.
New research partnership to study the genetic causes of high blood pressure in Kenya and The Gambia.
3 Sep, 2026
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme (KWTRP) and Roche’s African Genomics Program are partnering to investigate genetic factors behind hypertension and related diseases in African populations. By sequencing 1,200 samples, developing African research capacity, and establishing a secure data network, the partnership aims to identify biomarkers, strengthen understanding of disease, and support more targeted treatments for African communities.
Building One Health Laboratory Capacity through SOAP-PEx
1 Sep, 2026
A five-day laboratory workshop under the SOAP-PEx programme brought together researchers and laboratory professionals to strengthen practical skills in diagnosing Streptococcus suis and monitoring antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
World Hepatitis Day 2026: Let’s break it down with community at the centre
31 Aug, 2026
Among key messages from WHO's World Hepatitis Day 2026 campaign, people and communities stay at the center of eliminating viral hepatitis. Sharing the same opinion as WHO, OUCRU believes that: "When communities help shape policies, programmes and services, the response becomes more effective, accountable and responsive to people's needs."
Using AI to improve pneumonia care in Vietnam
28 Aug, 2026
Pneumonia remains one of the greatest challenges in critical care, particularly across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Using artificial intelligence and multimodal clinical data, OUCRU is leading an international research programme to improve how pneumonia is diagnosed, risk-stratified and treated.
What if you are empowered with the ability to change someone’s tragic
27 Aug, 2026
Watch, Pause, and Change the story: If you can, will you stop a medical emergency before it’s too late? Explore the power of Forum Theatre right on your screen.
Building Sustainable Breastfeeding Support Systems Beyond Hospital Care
7 Aug, 2026
Research led by Dr Martha Mwangome at the Kemri Wellcome Research Programme is strengthening breastfeeding support for malnourished infants after hospital discharge. Through the IBAMI and IBAMI2 studies, trained peer supporters provide continuous, community-based guidance to mothers. The approach aims to improve exclusive breastfeeding, infant growth, neurodevelopment and recovery by extending care from hospitals into homes.
MODRA Cohort 1: Where they are now and what comes next?
5 Aug, 2026
Eighteen months after joining MODRA, our first fellows are leading projects, winning grants, and building new collaborations across the region. Upon completion of the MODRA programme and moving move into the next stage of their careers, here’s a look at how our fellows are turning learning into lasting impact.
Behind the Title - Becoming an Oxford Professor (at NDM): Featuring Professor Sassy Molyneux
31 Jul, 2026
The Behind the Title: Becoming an Oxford Professor (at NDM) series highlights the diverse journeys of our professors and the many paths that lead to academic leadership. By sharing their journeys we aim to showcase the breadth of backgrounds, disciplines, and experiences represented across the Department, demonstrating that there is no single route to becoming a professor at Oxford. In our second feature, we hear from Sassy Molyneux, Professor in Global Health, spanning health policy and systems research, and empirical ethics. Sassy is an interdisciplinary researcher, with a background in human geography, behavioural research and organisational studies.
Medicine Quality Research Group awarded £3.7 million to evaluate devices for detecting substandard and falsified vaccines
28 Jul, 2026
The Medical Research Council (UK) has awarded a £ 3.7 million DPFS grant to expand the work led by the Medicine Quality Research Group on innovative screening devices for detecting degraded and falsified vaccines.
Professor Direk Limmathurotsakul awarded 2026 UNESCO-Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology
22 Jul, 2026
Professor Direk Limmathurotsakul has received the 2026 UNESCO-Carlos J. Finlay Prize for Microbiology. The Prize recognises his contributions to microbiology, particularly his work on melioidosis, antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) infections and turning local data into public health action.
MORU research highlighted during The Princess Royal’s visit to Mahidol University
21 Jul, 2026
A film featuring melioidosis survivors and a tour of a MORU malaria laboratory highlighted how patient-centred research and laboratory capacity contribute to regional health security.
Professor Le Van Tan appointed Interim Director of OUCRU Ho Chi Minh City
26 Jun, 2026
We are pleased to announce that Professor Lê Văn Tấn has been appointed Interim Director of OUCRU Ho Chi Minh City, with effect from 24 June.
New analysis maps gaps in neglected tropical diseases clinical research
23 Jun, 2026
A new analysis has identified important clinical research gaps in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), highlighting where greater research investment is needed to support the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of eliminating NTDs by 2030.
A Transition from Political Science to Health Research: Lessons and Reflections as Public and Community Engagement Intern at OUCRU Indonesia
19 Jun, 2026
When I got offer letter from OUCRU a lot of things came to mind: laboratories, research projects, and complicated medical terms that I thought only doctors and scientists could understand. There was one thing that made me curious: why does a health research institution have a role called Community Engagement?
NEWRISK project commences implementation study in Kisumu county
17 Jun, 2026
The A Novel Extreme Weather Risk Insurance System for Kenya (NEWRISK) Project has commenced implementation of its study in Kisumu County. The study aims to assess stakeholders’ priorities for addressing extreme weather events and to survey health facilities to evaluate hazards, exposure, and vulnerability. It will also explore effective ways of communicating the impacts of extreme weather on health and health services to communities in Kenya.
Where Creativity Meets Science – A Reflection on My Internship in OUCRU Indonesia
16 Jun, 2026
I had never thought I would land in the research field. Imagining research alone felt like you were surrounded by very, very smart people and everyone was a genius, except me. But when I was introduced to the many roles at OUCRU Indonesia, they were only being... passionate on their jobs. And here's my story how I found my place as passionate designer in health research.
The Integrated Serosurveillance and Modelling in Kenya (I-SAM) study hosts a stakeholder engagement meeting
12 Jun, 2026
The I-SAM study convened stakeholders from hospitals, county health departments and the Ministry of Health to explore the use of residual clinical samples for multi-pathogen serosurveillance in Kenya. Discussions identified practical implementation strategies and highlighted the approach’s potential to generate valuable public health evidence and strengthen national disease surveillance systems.
OUCRU scientists are using machine learning to forecast the next dengue outbreak
10 Jun, 2026
A new forecasting platform developed by OUCRU, the University of Oxford, Centre for Disease Control of Ho Chi Minh City and local partners in Vietnam aims to give the country earlier warning of dengue outbreaks, and the confidence to act on it.
UK and France launch landmark biomedical and AI health alliance to accelerate research into major diseases
29 May, 2026
A new partnership will unite expertise, infrastructure and data across borders to accelerate diagnosis, treatment and ultimately prevention of major diseases – starting with women’s health, infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness.
The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory awarded CoreTrustSeal certification
27 May, 2026
The Infectious Diseases Data Observatory (IDDO) has been awarded the CoreTrustSeal, an internationally recognised certification for trustworthy data repositories.
Turning the tide on substandard and falsified medicines – the Medicine Quality, Innovation & Policy Conference, April 2026
20 May, 2026
The Medicine Quality, Innovation & Policy Conference 2026 brought together global experts from science, law enforcement, public health and policy to address the growing threat of substandard and falsified medicines. Discussions highlighted the need for stronger international collaboration, better data sharing, improved detection technologies, and coordinated public health and regulatory responses to protect vulnerable populations from unsafe medical products.
Data sharing provides unique resource for fast, cost-effective evidence generation to improve malaria treatment in children
20 May, 2026
A new paper argues that the individual patient data meta-analyses that data sharing enables can generate evidence comparable to that produced by clinical trials, but at a fraction of the cost and time. This evidence is essential for improving treatments for patients, particularly for paediatric populations.
KEMRI-Wellcome appoints Professors Isabella Oyier and Ambrose Agweyu as Deputy Directors
12 May, 2026
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme has appointed Professor Isabella Oyier as Deputy Director, Kilifi, and Professor Ambrose Agweyu as Deputy Director, Nairobi. Both researchers bring extensive experience in infectious disease research, clinical epidemiology and health systems strengthening, and will help guide the Programme’s scientific leadership and strategic development.
Community Advisory Board Strengthens Community Engagement in Research at OUCRU Nepal
11 May, 2026
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit Nepal established its Community Advisory Board in 2025, marking an important step in strengthening community engagement and ensuring that research is ethically grounded and socially responsive. The board provides independent, community-informed guidance to support the design and conduct of research, helping ensure that studies are inclusive, culturally appropriate, and aligned with the needs and perspectives of the communities they serve.
Mahidol University and Thai Health Tech Association Sign Agreement to Strengthen Health Innovation and Research Translation
6 May, 2026
Mahidol University’s Faculty of Tropical Medicine, the Mahidol Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU), and the Thai Health Tech Association (THTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration on health innovation, translational research, and capacity development, with the aim of advancing the translation of research into practical health technologies.
Congratulations to our new Associate Professors 2026
5 May, 2026
Our heartfelt congratulations to Charles N Agoti from KWTRP, to Cindy Chu, Liz Batty and Tom Peto from MORU, and to Marc Choisy from OUCRU who have been awarded Associate Professorships
New study improves the prediction of life-threatening infection in children across South and Southeast Asia
5 May, 2026
A new approach to paediatric triage could prevent thousands of deaths and unnecessary referrals in resource-constrained and conflict-affected settings, say researchers in a study published on 29 April 2026 in Nature Medicine.
Climate Change and Health are Gendered: How Women Workers in Jakarta Adapted in Climate Change
29 Apr, 2026
OUCRU Indonesia co-designs Climate and Health Engagement Project named Panas, Polusi Udara, dan Perempuan Pekerja (Urban Island Heat, Air Polution and Women Workers) or (P4 project) which also become the first engagement specific collaborative study with women workers in Jakarta and fully funded by WHO.
30 years of MORU research in Rickettsioses featured in ESCMID 2026 keynote
28 Apr, 2026
MORU was well represented at the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) 2026 conference, held from 17-21 April in Munich.
Expert Comment: World Malaria Day 2026 - Malaria vs the Data Collective
25 Apr, 2026
Millions of African children receive preventative antimalarial drugs during the yearly malaria ‘high season’, a strategy aimed at reducing the annual toll of 600,000 malaria deaths worldwide – most of these deaths are children in Sub-Saharan Africa. IDDO DPhil student Dhruv Darji is using the collective power of data to find ways to make this preventative treatment better, including understanding interactions with the many real-world factors that health policy makers grapple with.
From Kilifi to the World: Rethinking Malaria Control Through Three Decades of Research
25 Apr, 2026
Since 1995, the KEMRI–Wellcome Trust Research Programme has quietly reshaped the global fight against malaria, not through a single breakthrough, but through a sustained commitment to evidence, context and people. Its work offers a powerful lesson: defeating malaria is not just about tools, but about understanding systems, adapting strategies and investing in local science. This is a thought leadership piece by Professor Isabella Oyier, Head of Bioscience, KEMRI-Wellcome
Innovative housing design cools homes, saves lives in Africa
22 Apr, 2026
Simple improvements in housing can have a profound impact on public health in sub-Saharan Africa, say researchers who designed Star Home, a novel double-story house that provides an insect-proof, cleaner, cooler and smoke-free environment with reliable water and sanitation in Tanzania.
OUCRU joins WHO Coronavirus Network
17 Apr, 2026
OUCRU, hosted by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, has joined the World Health Organisation (WHO) Coronavirus Network (CoViNet), a global network to detect and monitor coronaviruses of public health importance.
From MODRA to Wellcome Sanger Fellowship: Dr Le Thanh Hoang Nhat reflects on Growth and Connection
13 Apr, 2026
Dr Nhat, a MODRA alumnus, has been awarded a Wellcome Sanger Fellowship. Reflecting on his journey, he highlights how mentorship, regional collaboration and focused training through MODRA helped shape a competitive research proposal and strengthen his direction as an independent researcher.
Reimagining community mental health in Kenya through the 'Nyumba Kumi' model
13 Apr, 2026
A new community-based mental health approach in Kenya draws on the Nyumba Kumi model, where trusted local elders support small household groups. Combining cultural practice with psychological research, the project aims to address limited access to care by enabling early intervention and prevention, empowering communities to take a leading role in improving mental well-being.