Emerging and Re-emerging diseases

LSTM tackles emerging health threats through rapid, responsive research that informs prevention, diagnosis, and care.

Photo of a researcher using a microscope to analyse samples under a green light

Our work spans diseases such as Zika and SARS-CoV-2, as well as respiratory infections and other high-burden conditions where co-morbidity and co-infection worsen outcomes.

We collaborate across sectors and borders to strengthen surveillance, accelerate innovations, and build resilient systems ready for future pandemics.

Whether addressing early-stage outbreaks or long-standing global risks, LSTM’s researchers bring together science, policy, and community insight to drive preparedness and equitable response, ensuring that lessons from the past inform a healthier, more secure future.

Centres of Excellence

Our specialist Centres, Units and Institutes lead research into emerging and re-emerging diseases. By uniting clinical, scientific and operational expertise, they drive innovation in diagnostics, treatment and disease elimination, working with global partners to reduce burden and improve health outcomes.

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Dr Sylvester Coleman

Sylvester Coleman has over 15 years of extensive on-the-ground experience leading entomological surveillance activities in Ghana and Malawi, two vastly different ecological and cultural settings.

Dr Ana Cubas Atienzar

Dr Atienzar is a Lecturer at LSTM specializing in developing and evaluating rapid point-of-care diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases, including viral haemorrhagic fevers and COVID-19.

Professor Miriam Taegtmeyer

Professor Taegtmeyer leads research to strengthen community health systems in low-resource settings, focusing on HIV, universal health coverage, and quality improvement. Her work informs global policy and builds local capacity through collaborative, implementation-focused approaches across Africa and Asia.

MMVSola

MMVSola was developed through collaboration between leading institutions and experts in malaria research and drug development.

LIGHT Consortium

The LIGHT Consortium (Leaving no-one behInd: transforming Gendered pathways to Health for TB) is a six-year, cross-disciplinary global health research programme funded by UK aid.

Urban SHADE

Urban SHADE (Strengthening Health Access and Delivery for Extreme Weather) is a three-year research initiative funded by the UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and led by LSTM.