OUCRU has developed D\u2011SCAPE, a wearable device, and D\u2011CAT, an AI-led clinical decision tool, to enhance dengue management in Vietnam. These innovations automate vital monitoring and analyse patient data to predict deterioration, allowing timely action. They alleviate frontline workloads and improve proactive care in resource-constrained hospitals.
As mpox cases rise in Sierra Leone, Professor Trudie Lang helps us understand the implications of the continuing spread of the disease, why it matters and how global efforts to tackle the outbreak are progressing.
In a collaborative new study led by OUCRU, researchers have found that tryptophan in cerebrospinal fluid is a determinant of lower survival in people with tuberculous meningitis. These findings suggest the possibility that other metabolites could also predict patient outcomes.
A WHO delegation visited OUCRU and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases (HTD) to explore collaborative efforts in infectious disease research, diagnostics, and surveillance. The institutions showcased achievements in outbreak response and genomic sequencing. The visit strengthened ties with WHO, highlighting OUCRU and HTD\u2019s regional leadership and commitment to advancing health security and training opportunities.
Co-led by researchers at the Pandemic Sciences Institute, the Nipah virus has been granted PRIME designation. This recognises the vaccine\u2019s potential to address the unmet medical need arising from the devastating Nipah virus disease, which can be fatal in up to 85% of cases.
In May 2025, circus performances were used to educate Cambodian youth on the correct use of antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics is a major driver of bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. The wide availability of antibiotics over the counter in Cambodia and linguistic issues make it difficult for younger Cambodians to understand when antibiotic use is appropriate.
The KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Schools Engagement Programme (SEP) celebrated the achievements of its School Leavers Attachment Scheme (SLAS) through a poster event. Twelve Kilifi students explored real-world research, mentored by experts. SEP\u2019s immersive, hands-on experience builds scientific skills, confidence, and curiosity, inspiring the next generation of researchers and future science leaders.
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) and the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Ho Chi Minh City recently hosted a scientific conference titled \u201cApplying Artificial Intelligence and Big Data in Clinical Practice for Infectious Diseases.\u201d
A new report charts a roadmap to make Vietnam a top-three ASEAN destination for clinical trials by 2030. It outlines challenges and solutions to unlock economic and health benefits. Aligning with global best practice can position Vietnam as a hub for life-saving research and innovation.
A low-cost genome sequencing technique that was used by thousands of laboratories globally to spot COVID-19 variants will be extended to cover all pathogens, in an ambitious new Wellcome Trust-funded project launched today. The ARTIC-2 project is led by the University of Birmingham and brings together researchers from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana and Kenya with expertise in responding to numerous viral threats using genomic surveillance, including recent outbreaks of Ebola virus and Mpox in Africa.
On 6-7 May in Zanzibar, Tanzania, the final investigators\u2019 meeting of the Development of Triple Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (DeTACT) project brought together 35 investigators from participating institutions in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Guinea, Nigeria, Niger, Tanzania, The Gambia, Rwanda, Singapore, and MORU, along with key partners from Fosun Pharma, Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), the WHO Global Malaria Programme, and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), which funded the project over the past seven years.
On 28 March 2025, a powerful earthquake (magnitude 7.8) devastated central Myanmar, with the epicentre near Mandalay, the country\u2019s second largest city, and home to 1.5 million people. On 1 April, Medical Action Myanmar (MAM) and the Myanmar Oxford Clinical Research Unit (MOCRU) sent 70 staff to launch an emergency response.
Get ready! - the CTMGH LinkedIn takeover begins on Tuesday 3 June and eight students from our MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine, who are currently working around the world, will be sharing their research placement experience.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a lifelong condition affecting communication, behaviour, and sensory experiences. In Kenya, stigma, misinformation, and limited access to care hinder early diagnosis and support. Cultural beliefs and lack of specialist services further challenge families. KWTRP NeuroDev Project is improving understanding through genetic research, while new interventions like caregiver training are being trialled. Experts call for greater awareness, early screening, and inclusive policies to support autistic individuals and their families.
This May, countries worldwide mark Mental Health Awareness Week under the theme community. OUCRU highlights research from Vietnam showing how social connections support mental wellbeing. With localised resources and expert guidance, we aim to reduce stigma, encourage open conversations, and empower individuals and communities to care for mental health\u2014together.
We are delighted to announce that Abdirahman Abdi and Alice Norton have been awarded the Associate Professor title, in recognition of their research achievements, contribution to teaching, and contribution to the general work of the Nuffield Department of Medicine.
Work led by a NDM Centre for Global Health Research (CGHR) and KEMRI-Wellcome team `Engaging stakeholders to build a Kenyan learning health system\u2019 was recognised as winner of the Vice-Chancellor\u2019s Research Engagement Award on Thursday 15 May where the team was represented by Professor Mike English.
On 13 May 2025, representatives from the University of Oxford and the Tak Provincial Public Health Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen collaboration on infectious disease prevention and control along the Thai\u2013Myanmar border. The agreement focuses on joint research into key diseases affecting the border population.
The MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine (IHTM) at the University of Oxford has been shortlisted for two 2025 Vice-Chancellor\u2019s Awards, recognising the programme\u2019s outstanding contributions to education and student support across the University.
Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU) announced promising results from the VIETNARMS trial, a years-long multi-arm clinical trial conducted in Vietnam. The trial found that the readily available and affordable Hepatitis C treatment sofosbuvir/daclatasvir had a >95% cure rate. The results offer important insights into new treatment regimens for Hepatitis C, potentially reducing treatment durations and halving treatment costs.
From 28th April - 2nd May 2025 Mike English and Charles Vincent led the IQID course focusing on diagnosing healthcare delivery issues and designing interventions. The event brought together international health professionals who are developing or embarking on an intervention, service redesign, implementation or improvement project to develop practical strategies and plans.
The Harnessing Innovation in Global Health for Quality Care Exchange (The HIGH-Q Exchange) held a stakeholder meeting during the Kenya Paediatric Association conference between 8th and 11th April 2025, in Mombasa. The project shared key findings on how health systems can go beyond training and equipment to deliver high-quality newborn care. The meeting provided a platform for reflection on how to enhance the quality of neonatal care in Kenyan hospitals, focusing on the role of Ward Assistants in improving care delivery.
On the 25th and 26th April the MSc in International Health and Tropical Medicine, IHTM, celebrated its tenth anniversary as an internationally renowned programme for future global health leaders, with over 100 alumni travelling from around the world to join colleagues, current students and guests in Oxford.
A major study in The Lancet Infectious Diseases confirms that single low-dose primaquine is safe and effective in reducing malaria transmission in young children. Analysing data from over 6,000 patients, researchers found it effective even in young children and areas with high malaria burden. The findings support expanding primaquine use to tackle drug-resistant malaria in Africa. A child-friendly formulation is urgently needed to maximise its impact on malaria elimination efforts worldwide.
The Health System Collaborative hosted a global meeting in Oxford from 24 to 26 March 2025 to launch the ROOTs Network, a programme addressing moral distress among frontline health research staff. Funded by Professor Sassy Molyneux\u2019s NIHR Professorship, the initiative aims to improve ethical research practices and system resilience. Participants from eight countries shared insights, discussed management interventions, and strengthened international partnerships, marking a key step in fostering mutual learning and research equity.
Years of groundwork have led Mahidol University Assistant Professor Dr Thitinan Kitisin to his first major step: leading an advanced vaccine research project in Thailand. With support from MODRA, he\u2019s now developing one of the first tonsil organoid models in the country, a small but important step toward improving how vaccines are tested. Along the way, he\u2019s also passing on practical research skills to the next generation of Thai scientists.
Professor Buddha Basnyat has received the NHRC Lifetime Achievement Award for Health Research in Nepal. The Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) recently conferred its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for Health Research upon Professor Basnyat at the 11th National Summit of Health and Population Scientists. This honour recognises his exceptional contributions to medical research and public health over a career spanning more than five decades.
At OUCRU Nepal, microbiologist Sulochana Manandhar spent much of her early career at the lab bench, examining bacteria, fine-tuning methods, and chasing answers to scientific questions. Now, with support from the MODRA programme, she\u2019s leading her first hospital-based study, bringing new attention to neonatal health risks in Nepal.
On 27 March, members of the Public and Community Engagement with Research (PCER) team at the University of Oxford met with MORU colleagues and other engagement colleagues from the University. The session focused on sharing strategies for community engagement, evaluating engagement, and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.
The world is facing a shortage of 11 million health workers by 2030. World Health Worker Week calls for increased investment in all cadres of the health workforce - nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and others vital to resilient health systems. Health workers save lives, support economies, and advance development goals. Collaborative efforts, such as OUCRU\u2019s training programme in Dak Lak, Vietnam, demonstrate the benefits of investment, with increased vaccine uptake. Protecting, valuing, and training health workers strengthens global health.
Dr Duong Thi Hue Kien, a Post-doc Scientist at OUCRU, has shared her experience of finishing her PhD and kickstarting her career in science. She documents the highs and the lows, as well as how she was able to move forward in her career with support from the MORU\u2013OUCRU Discovery Research Academy.
The Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has officially entered into a seven-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wellcome, a UK-based charitable foundation, and the University of Oxford. The \u00a391 million agreement was signed at the Wellcome headquarters in London, marking a significant boost for medical research and training in Kenya.
Ranking 11th globally in antibiotic use, Vietnam faces a serious risk of drug resistance, \u2018running out of treatment options due to antibiotic resistance\u2019.
OUCRU Ho Chi Minh City recently hosted a three-day Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training course. The course, organised by OUCRU and the UK\u2019s Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, welcomed 25 participants selected for their potential to drive innovation across diverse organisations, including non-profit, for-profit, social profit, and governmental bodies.
Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is a severe form of tuberculosis with high mortality and long-term disability risks, especially in children aged 1\u20135. It accounts for 1\u20135% of TB cases. WHO recommends a new 6-month treatment alternative to the traditional 12-month regimen. OUCRU is conducting a trial to assess its effectiveness. The project also addresses post-treatment support through a community advisory board and co-designed resources, aiming to improve care and outcomes for TBM-affected children and their families.
In a recent study, researchers at the KEMRI Wellcome Trust Research Programme in Kenya have discovered that a low-dose of the yellow fever vaccine is as effective as the current standard dose.
The GRAM Project welcomed public health leaders from 40 African organisations this month in Nairobi to address the growing threat of AMR. The AMR Data Analysis Workshop, organised by GRAM partners from Oxford and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), convened researchers and officials from ministries of health, and other academic and policy institutions, to discuss emerging trends and review key skills. The workshop was hosted by the Centre for Epidemiology and Modelling Analysis (CEMA) from 11-14 March, with support from the Wellcome Trust.
Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers gathered in Bangkok 12-13 March for PBPK modelling in paediatrics, pregnancy and lactation, a major international workshop addressing a longstanding issue in medicine: ensuring safer and more effective drug treatments for pregnant or lactating women and children.
From 18-19 February 2025, a workshop focusing on the social, ethical, and engagement aspects of pandemic preparedness took place in Da Nang, Vietnam. Thirty-one participants from five Southeast Asian countries attended, representing health research, academia, policy, community engagement, and local community organisations.
OUCRU Ho Chi Minh recently concluded its annual three-day intensive care training program in Vietnam, made possible through the generous funding of Dragon Capital. Building upon the success of previous iterations, this year\u2019s training aims to equip Vietnamese healthcare professionals with the latest advancements in intensive care management, particularly for life-threatening infectious diseases.
On 24-26 Feb 2025, Paul Newton, Head of MORU\u2019s Medicine Quality Research Group (MQRG), and MQRG Deputy Head C\u00e9line Caillet presented work by the MQRG at the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and WHO meeting, Strategic and Tactical Interventions to Address Medical Products-Related Crimes.
By 2050, Africa will host a majority of the world's student-age population, shaping global futures. The Mastercard Foundation Scholars at Oxford's Africa Oxford Initiative receive full scholarships, rigorous education, leadership training, entrepreneurship support and networking, preparing them to lead Africa's and the world's future challenges and opportunities.
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