Dr Mark Mawer

Before joining the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), I completed my PhD at the University of Aberdeen, where I developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting cell-surface glycoproteins in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Candida albicans. This work involved characterizing the antibody targets and generating a new class of antifungal drugs, which we tested in mouse models of systemic candidiasis.

Following my PhD, I joined the UK Health Security Agency, where I developed a CN Bio alveolus lung-on-chip model to investigate respiratory viral infections, including SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A. My research focused on incorporating immune system components—specifically monocytes and natural killer cells—to study host–pathogen interactions and assess antiviral therapeutics.

At LSTM, my research is focused on establishing a high-throughput B-cell screening platform to generate mAbs for use in lateral flow assays. These assays aim to detect high-priority pathogens such as Rift Valley fever virus, Marburg virus, and Oropouche virus. By improving early detection, my work supports stronger outbreak response and disease surveillance, contributing to the development of rapid, accessible diagnostic tools for affected regions.

Alongside rapid diagnostic test development, I am currently investigating the cell-wall structures in Candidozyma auris (formerly Candida auris) under antifungal stress. As a WHO Fungal Priority Pathogen, C. auris poses a significant public-health threat due to its multidrug resistance and high mortality rates. My aim is to identify surface-exposed proteins expressed during antifungal exposure, providing potential new targets for diagnostic or therapeutic intervention.