Programme

Refreshments and pastry's available on arrival.

Professor David Molyneux, ex Director of LSTM, will welcome you and provide a brief overview activities for the day.

Join our panel discussion with Professor David Molyneux CMG, Professor Nick Caswell, Alumnus Dr. Adrian Hopkins MBE & Dr. Rachael Thomson (LSTM) as they explore advancements, challenges, and the future of tackling neglected tropical diseases.

WHO aims to eliminate several neglected tropical diseases (NTD), including Gambian sleeping sickness (gambiense human African trypanosomiasis, gHAT). The WHO targets for gHAT were elimination as a public health problem by 2020 and elimination of transmission by 2030. My talk will describe how the 2020 goal was largely achieved, and consider prospects for the elimination of transmission by 2030. The talk will highlight the importance of new technologies and strategies, international partnerships and global support for achieving these ambitious goals, and consider whether these efforts can be sustained for the final drive to elimination.

Stay fuelled throughout the day with a selection of hot and cold beverages, including teas, coffee, and juices.

Despite commitments to end the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic by 2030, we are off track to reach the 2025 milestones of reductions in TB incidence, TB deaths and TB-affected households facing catastrophic costs. Yet, the science is delivering with new tools advancing through the pipeline within the context of ensuring that we have the evidence for person-centred, equitable delivery with social and economic support. So, can we end TB by 2030 within an environment of renewed global political commitments? LSTM’s research, partnership and education in TB brought together under a new Centre aims to ensure that we contribute as best we can to end TB.

HIV continues to place a considerable burden on Global Health, especially in eastern and southern Africa. Antiretroviral therapy has been very effective in halting HIV progression to AIDS and person-to-person transmission. However, ART interruption results in rapid viral rebound, highlighting the lack of curative capacity of current regimens. This rebound viremiae is driven by viral reservoirs in tissues, such as the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract. Consequently, how HIV survives in the tissue in the presence of potent ART remains a key research priority in our quest to develop a cure.

This session will put the spotlight on live-attenuated vaccines - highlighting their potential to revolutionise global health. Dr Pennington will showcase research which describes how live-attenuated vaccines like BCG, polio and measles possess the unique ability to bolster the immune system, offering protection against a diverse array of pathogens. Consider a future where vaccines serve not just as shields against individual diseases, but as catalysts for comprehensive immune enhancement, empowering communities and saving lives.

TBC

“Ah, the body does not come back like in the beginning, because in the beginning I used to work without coughing”“Nowadays, I cannot walk long distance as I used to do, my legs are weak as well as my whole body is weak”There are 155 million survivors of TB worldwide, up to 50% of them have ongoing respiratory symptoms yet there are limited treatment options and variable care pathways. We have the opportunity to improve outcomes for these survivors, but will we take that opportunity? Should we take that opportunity and if so at what cost?

In the last 10 years Tom has spent much of his time researching viral haemorrhagic fevers and responding to Ebola outbreaks for WHO, most recently in Uganda in 2022. In this talk he will highlight where progress has been made in Ebola, Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever and Lassa fever, but also emphasise the significant challenges that remain.

A complimentary lunch will be provided for all guests. Enjoy a delicious selection of sandwiches, hot and cold dishes to satisfy your appetite and keep you energized for the afternoon sessions.

Professor Theobald will synthesise findings from ongoing multi-country health systems research projects including ARISE – Accountability in urban health; Reducing the Burden of Severe Stigmatising Skin Diseases in Liberia (REDRESS), ReBUILD for Resilience, SHINE - Promoting CHW Wellbeing and Resilience and GEAR-UP (which focuses on gender and Antimicrobial resistance). Key take-aways include: ▶ Health systems operate in dynamic and changing contexts, we are witnessing increasing fragility, urbanisation, climate change and system shocks such as AMR. Health systems are well placed to mediate and redress social inequity. ▶ Community based participatory research can strengthen more inclusive and gender equitable health system and centre lived experiences in health systems ▶ Community health workers are critical to health care access amongst

Step into our World Café and discover the dynamic potential of community-led approaches in tackling public health challenges. Explore the realm of innovative resources and assets, codeveloped with communities, aimed at enhancing health equity outcomes. Get ready to be inspired and empowered!

Stunting is when a child fails to grow to his or her proper height for age due to chronic undernutrition. Stunting prevents children from attaining their full growth and development potential. Worldwide, about 150 million children under five are stunted and the decline in stunting rates remains slow despite mitigation and strategic efforts.Benjamin Kadia leverages 8 years’ experience of global health research to help oversee the effective delivery of the Gut Health component of the multicounty Action Against Stunting Hub. Kadia will reveal how LSTM is contributing to advance scientific understanding of the role of gut health in stunting and proposing novel approaches to prevent stunting through improved gut health.

Two siblings aged two and nine, asleep on the same bed, get bitten by a forest cobra. Tragically, the younger child died at home, while the older sibling was treated and survived in a hospital. My presentation will examine the various factors at different levels—molecular, cellular, individual, and systemic—that led to these different outcomes. Let’s discuss the science behind snakebites and understand how such incidents can have varying consequences.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global threat to effective healthcare. Resistance rates are increasing whilst we lack new antibiotics coming to market. This increases our reliance on the few effective antibiotics remaining. At LSTM we have several major research programmes underway to try and understand the drivers of resistance in various parts of the world and in his presentation Dr Roberts will outline key findings on the causes and sources of AMR and how it can spread within and between healthcare environments and the environment.

Stay fueled throughout the day with a selection of hot and cold beverages, including teas, coffee, and juices.

Join us for a crucial discussion on "Capacity Building in Global Health: Training the Next Generation." Experts including Professor Bertie Squire, Dr. Martha Chinouya, Dr. Justin Pulford, and Professor Charles Ameh will explore: How to equip the next wave of global health leaders. Building a strong workforce to tackle future health challenges. Strategies for sustainable capacity development.

Don't miss the closing drinks reception! This is your chance to unwind, network with fellow alumni and connect with LSTM academic staff in a relaxed setting. It's a great opportunity to chat, share experiences, and forge new connections.