125th Anniversary Scientific Symposium: Reimagining Solutions for the 22nd Century
25–27 November 2024
The Spine, Paddington Village, Liverpool
In November 2024, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine brought together global health experts from across the world for our flagship scientific symposium.
As the first institution dedicated to research and education in tropical medicine, LSTM has been delivering global health impact since 1898. This landmark event united researchers, practitioners, policymakers and early career scientists to explore the future of global health and to shape the next generation of solutions.
Opening Reflections
LSTM Director Professor David Lalloo welcomed delegates before Professor Sir Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization, delivered the opening keynote.
A special session marked 125 Years of Partnership, with reflections from former LSTM Directors Professor David Molyneux FRS, Professor Janet Hemingway FRS CBE, and Professor Henry Mwandumba from the Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme. Together, they reflected on more than a century of collaboration and impact in global health.
Can we end TB by 2030?
Chaired by Dr Kerry Millington, this session explored TB immunopathogenesis, the role of human challenge studies in accelerating drug and vaccine discovery, equitable access to diagnostics, and gender-responsive health systems.
Professor Jeremiah Chakaya (LSTM) delivered the keynote, drawing on decades of experience in TB control.
🎥 Watch the TB Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the TB Keynote by Professor Jeremiah Chakaya on YouTube
How do we get to zero HIV infections?
Co-chaired by Dr Kondwani Jambo and Professor Frances Cowan, speakers examined innovations in self-testing and prevention, modelling interventions to guide funding, and lessons from major HIV programmes in sub-Saharan Africa.
Professor Liz Corbett (LSHTM) provided the keynote perspective.
🎥 Watch the HIV Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the HIV Keynote by Professor Liz Corbett on YouTube
How to eliminate malaria
Professor Steve Ward chaired discussions on reducing malaria prevalence with insecticide-treated nets, targeting transmission with Wolbachia, the potential of vaccines, and developing next-generation antimalarial drugs.
Dr Helen Jamet (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) delivered the closing keynote before delegates joined early career poster sessions, prize presentations and a networking reception.
🎥 Watch the Malaria Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the Malaria Keynote by Dr Helen Jamet on YouTube
What impact will climate change have on tropical health?
Professor Charles Wondji chaired presentations on the effects of climate and ecological breakdown, changes in malaria vector populations, and the health impacts on women and children.
Professor Madeleine Thomson (Wellcome Trust) provided the keynote address.
🎥 Watch the Climate Change Session on YouTube
Delivering resilient health systems
Dr Joanna Raven chaired a session exploring health systems in fragile and conflict-affected settings, two-way learning with Global South partners, and capacity-strengthening for equitable research.
Dr Sushil Baral (HERD International, Nepal) delivered the keynote.
🎥 Watch the Resilient Health Systems Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the Resilient Health Systems Keynote by Dr Sushil Baral on YouTube
Managing resistance research for global health
Chaired by Dr Adam Roberts, this session focused on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) — from global trends and microbial evolution to probiotic protection in newborns and gene-drive innovation.
Professor Tim Walsh (University of Oxford) shared his expert insights.
🎥 Watch the AMR Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the AMR Keynote by Professor Tim Walsh on YouTube
When will we be free from Neglected Tropical Diseases?
Co-chaired by Professors Mark Taylor and Nick Casewell, the session examined new therapeutics for snakebite, progress in eliminating sleeping sickness and lymphatic filariasis, and promising cures for river blindness.
Professor Peter Hotez (Baylor College of Medicine) delivered the keynote.
🎥 Watch the NTD Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the NTD Keynote by Professor Peter Hotez on YouTube
Addressing future threats
Professor Giancarlo Biagini chaired the final session of the day, covering diagnostics for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever, arbovirus-vector interactions, advances in HIV-1 cure research, and bovine-derived monoclonal antibodies for pandemic response.
The evening concluded with the launch of LSTM’s Institute of Resilient Health Systems, followed by poster prizes and networking.
Health Policy and Systems Research Priorities
Professor Sally Theobald chaired global partners from Sierra Leone, Bangladesh and Liberia discussing syndemics, inequities and community engagement.
Keynote: Professor Sabina Rashid (BRAC University).
🎥 Watch the HPSR Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the HPSR Keynote by Professor Sabina Rashid on YouTube
Challenges and Innovation in Maternal, Child and Newborn Health
Co-chaired by Professor Dame Tina Lavender and Professor Charles Ameh, this session covered bereavement-care interventions, midwifery education and malaria in pregnancy.
Keynote: Dr Olufemi T. Oladapo (World Health Organization).
🎥 Watch the Maternal and Newborn Health Session on YouTube
🎥 Watch the Maternal and Newborn Health Keynote by Dr Olufemi T. Oladapo on YouTube
Early Career Lightning Talks
Emerging scientists presented 125-second talks framing future global health research questions.
Supporting the Next Generation
Early career and postgraduate researchers showcased their work through poster sessions with daily prizes celebrating innovation and excellence.
Future-Proofing LSTM for the Next 125 Years
Moderated by BBC Global Health Correspondent Tulip Mazumdar, the closing panel explored health as wealth, the Sustainable Development Goals and health equity for future generations.
Keynote Discussion featuring Helen Jamet, Dr Catrin Moore, Professor Sir Adrian Hill, Professor Liz Corbett, Professor Peter Hotez, Professor Madeleine Thomson, Professor Sabina Rashid, Professor Henry Mwandumba, Professor Samuel Wanji, Professor Jeremiah Chakaya and Professor David Lalloo.
A visual highlight film capturing the 125th Anniversary Scientific Symposium at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. The film opens with wide shots of The Spine in Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, followed by delegates arriving, registering and greeting one another.
Cutaways show speakers presenting on stage, audiences listening intently, and animated discussions during panel sessions. Close-up shots capture name badges, notebooks, and the vibrant event branding celebrating 125 years of impact.
The film weaves through scenes of poster sessions, networking breaks, and early career researchers sharing their work. Short glimpses of keynote speakers and roundtable discussions highlight themes such as climate change, global partnerships and health equity.
Ending with applause, group photos and the LSTM logo, the video celebrates a milestone event that brought together the global health community to reflect on the past and reimagine solutions for the future.
