Running Mad Professor

22/04/2026

The Pandemic Institute Public Steering Group recently came together for its fifth session, continuing an important collaboration between community members and researchers to shape more inclusive and impactful public health work.

Facilitated by Glenn Skelhorn from The Thinker CIC, the group explore research by Dr Daniel Hungerford on vaccine inequalities. His work underscored a critical issue: access to vaccines is not equal. The group also explored proposed research to shift toward a more risk-based, area-level approach to vaccines.

Read more here: https://www.thepandemicinstitute.org/news/public-steering-group-meet-to-discuss-vaccine-research/

The Pandemic Institute Public Steering Group recently met for its fifth session, bringing together community members and researchers to review ongoing work and discuss a new study focused on vaccine inequalities.

20/04/2026

Congratulations to Dr Eric Lucas at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine - LSTM on securing a prestigious Springboard award from the Academy of Medical Sciences.

This scheme plays a vital role in supporting early career researchers as they take their first steps as independent group leaders - backing bold, curiosity-driven science that underpins future breakthroughs.

Dr Lucas’s work on the genetic basis of insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes is exactly the kind of foundational research we need if we are to stay ahead of evolving global health threats.

It’s also a strong example of high-impact research emerging from Liverpool, continuing a long tradition of scientific excellence with global relevance.

https://lstmed.ac.uk/news/eric-lucas-receives-prestigious-springboard-funding

LSTM researcher Eric Lucas has received Springboard funding to advance research into insecticide resistance and strengthen global vector control efforts.

16/04/2026

Honoured to attend College Day 2026 at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park.

This year marked a truly historic moment for the College, with collegiate members voting for the first time in its 500-year history to elect officers and members of Council.

It was encouraging to see strong engagement across the elections, alongside important appointments including the new Vice President for Education and Training, Vice President for Wales (in a pioneering job-share model), and new members of Council. The uncontested presidential election also took place on College Day, with incumbent President Professor Mumtaz Patel as the only nominee - congratulations on her continued leadership.

These roles will be central to guiding education, training, and clinical standards at a time of significant change for the NHS and medical workforce.

Read more in full - https://www.rcp.ac.uk/109634

16/04/2026

16/04/2026

Backpacking abroad? 🦟🦠
In some destinations mosquitoes can carry chikungunya, a virus known for causing severe joint pain. With travel related cases in England at a 10 year high, read our blog for advice on prevention and treatment.
🔗 https://ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/07/what-are-the-symptoms-of-the-chikungunya-virus-and-is-there-a-vaccine/

15/04/2026

New research supported by the EU Decipher Mpox consortium and The Pandemic Institute provides important early insights into how well the existing MVA-BN vaccine performs against emerging mpox strains.

The study shows that while vaccination generates neutralising antibodies against both established (clade IIb) and emerging (clade Ib) strains, responses to clade Ib were lower - highlighting the need for continued research as the virus evolves.

With mpox cases continuing to fluctuate in the UK, these findings reinforce the importance of vaccination, ongoing surveillance, and evidence-driven public health strategies.

Read the full study: https://www.thepandemicinstitute.org/news/study-shows-mpox-vaccine-generates-immune-response-to-emerging-clade-ib-but-protection-levels-remain-unclear/

A new UK-based study funded by the EU Decipher Mpox consortium and The Pandemic Institute has provided early insights into how well the existing mpox vaccine, MVA-BN, may protect against emerging strains of the virus, offering important evidence to inform future public health responses.

14/04/2026

Malaria control has long depended on insecticide-treated bed nets, but new work from University of Liverpool and Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine - LSTM highlights an important nuance: performance is not determined solely by how much insecticide is present, but by how it is presented at the surface.

By combining surface chemistry, imaging, and behavioural analysis, the team shows that coating composition can meaningfully alter mosquito response and net efficacy - even when insecticide levels meet specification.

A key message from the study is that environmental sustainability and malaria control must advance together, and that multidisciplinary approaches are essential - bringing together chemical composition, surface properties, and biological outcomes to fully understand and improve performance.

This is a fascinating and highly practical piece of research that sharpens how we think about vector control design and evaluation.

Read the full article here: https://news.liverpool.ac.uk/2026/04/09/liverpool-scientists-uncover-how-surface-chemistry-impacts-the-performance-of-malaria-nets/

Liverpool scientists uncover how surface chemistry impacts the performance of malaria nets

13/04/2026

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.

Last year, I contributed to an article in The Guardian on simple ways to look after your brain - and one point that’s often underestimated is alcohol.

As I say in the piece: “a lot of alcohol is not good for you. There is some soft data suggesting one to two units might reduce risks of cardiac disease in the elderly, but the evidence overall is that alcohol is harmful, especially to the brain.”

We often associate alcohol with other health risks, but its impact on the brain is just as important particularly when drinking becomes frequent or habitual.

The message isn’t about extremes. It’s about awareness and habits - not drinking every day, and not letting alcohol become routine.

Small, consistent choices over time make a difference when it comes to protecting your brain.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2025/apr/30/the-experts-neurologists-on-17-simple-ways-to-look-after-your-brain

Sleep well, swap butter for olive oil, learn a musical instrument – or embrace some other ‘magnificent obsession’. Here is what doctors do themselves to delay the onset of cognitive decline

09/04/2026

In a digital world saturated with information, finding what’s accurate - and what isn’t - has never been more critical.

The reality is stark: an “infodemic” of misinformation can fuel confusion, erode trust, and ultimately harm public health.

This article by Encephalitis International explores how we navigate that challenge - by strengthening health literacy, trusting credible sources, and standing firmly with evidence.

🔗 https://www.encephalitis.info/news/seeking-reliable-health-information-in-an-infodemic-navigating-misinformation-in-a-digital-world/

Key points Online resources have increased ways to access to health information, but all sources of information need to be considered carefully. Trusted sources exist and can be identified in various ways such as accreditation. AI (artificial intelligence) is a possible springboard to other informat...

08/04/2026

⏳ Early bird rate ends 10 April! ⏳

Ever struggled with a patient with a brain infection? Then the NeuroID course is for you!

The Liverpool Neurological Infectious Diseases Course (NeuroID) is an approved 2-day CPD course aimed at clinicians of all grades (including medical students) working in Adult and Paediatric Neurology, Infectious Diseases, Acute Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Medical Microbiology who want to update their knowledge and improve their skills

📅 17–18 June 2026
📍 University of Liverpool

Expert-led, case-based, and consistently oversubscribed - this is practical training with global relevance.

🔗 Book here - https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/neuroidcourse/
📧 Email any questions to neuroidc@liverpool.ac.uk

07/04/2026

This World Health Organization World Health Day (7 April), the message is both timely and uncompromising: “Together for health. Stand with science.”

In an era of growing health challenges - from emerging infections to widening inequalities - our response must be grounded in evidence, not opinion. Science remains our most reliable tool for protecting lives and strengthening health systems.

This year’s campaign highlights a simple but critical point: progress in global health depends on trust in science, collaboration across borders, and turning evidence into action.

Standing with science is not abstract - it means investing in prevention, supporting research, and ensuring that proven interventions reach every community.

The task is clear: rebuild confidence in public health, back science-led solutions, and work together to secure a healthier future for all.