I trained in epidemiology, and came to LSHTM in 2006 for my PhD, working primarily on the molecular epidemiology of Tuberculosis. After spending three years working on field studies in North Malawi, I moved back to London in 2012 to work in TB modelling, and joined the LSHTM TB modelling group which I now co-lead. Between 2014 and 2019 led the development and implementation of the TIME model to support countries in their TB policy decision-making. In recent years my focus has been the spectrum of Mtb infection and TB disease, using historical and contemporary data to better understand the individual, population and policy consequences of appropriately considering the spectrum of TB. I also have an interest in the many structural determinants of TB, including nutrition, climate health and poverty.
Affiliations
Centres
Teaching
I have taught on a wide variety of courses at LSHTM, including Intensive and Online courses, mostly in epidemiology and mathematical modelling. Currently I am a module co-organiser for EP202: Statistical Methods in Epidemiology. I also run the Virtual Ethics Committee exercise, which is part of the Online MSc Epidemiology course.
I have supervised more than 20 MSc projects, and I currently (co-)supervise 5 PhD students at LSHTM and other universities who are exploring questions around TB natural history, subclinical TB, post-TB sequelae and community-wide screening for TB. I welcome being contacted by prospective PhD students for a chat about TB.
Research
My research mainly looks to combine empirical data with mathematical modelling tools to address key scientific and policy questions, while providing opportunities for training and career development of individuals.
My current work focusses on understanding how our recently renewed appreciation of the spectrum of TB disease provides both challenges and opportunities to reduce the impact of this disease on individuals and their communities.
Current activities look at the whole spectrum, from quantifying the burden of Mtb infection and the role of self-clearance, to considering non-infectious and subclinical TB in community-wide screening programmes and policy. Together with partners in South Africa and Cambodia we also look to better map the many ways post-TB consequences affect TB survivors and their communities, and how we can provide post-TB care where it is needed.
We also work on the many, and interrelated, structural determinants of TB, such as nutrition, climate health, incarceration and poverty.
Our work has contributed to national, regional and global policy decisions, and continues to do so. Funding has come from National Institutes of Health (US), National Institute for Health and Care Research (UK), Wellcome Trust, European Research Council, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNITAID, USAID, Global Fund against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria World Health Organisation and the Economic and Social Research Council.
Selected Publications
