Personal profile
Biography
Dr Pennington gained his PhD in Infection and Immunity from the University of Liverpool in 2017. His research at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine is focused on the delivery of new vaccines and therapeutics to the clinic.
Shaun’s research employs cutting-edge controlled human infection as well as advanced ex vivo models for the study of infectious diseases. He leads several multidisciplinary collaborations that span academia and industry, ensuring the rapid progression of pre-clinical findings into clinical settings. His clinical collaborations are pivotal in delivering impactful studies, translating lab-based discoveries into real-world applications. In recognition of his significant contributions to the field, Shaun was awarded the ELRIG Early Career Impact Award in 2022.
Shaun’s work continues to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical application, driving advancements with the potential to impact global public health strategies.
Research interests
Dr Pennington’s research is focused on advancing our understanding of infectious diseases through use of innovative experimental models. His work uses controlled human infection models as well as advanced ex vivo systems to study the dynamics of interactions between host and pathogen. Shaun aims to uncover key factors that influence disease susceptibility and clinical progression, while informing the development and assessment of novel strategies to combat infection. His translational research accelerates the progression of preclinical findings into clinical settings, with a particular emphasis on improving vaccines and therapeutics for emerging and established viral and bacterial pathogens.
Teaching
Dr Pennington is the module convener for Immunology of Tropical Diseases, where he lectures and leads tutorials on the immunological foundations of tropical infectious diseases. Shaun also supervises several PhD students working on projects that use controlled human infection and advanced ex vivo models to study host-pathogen interactions and assess the efficacy of novel vaccines and therapeutics.
Themes
- Innovation to Impact: Therapeutics, Diagnostics, Vaccines
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Machine learning-driven identification of serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine candidates using samples from human infection challenge studies
Cheliotis, K. S., Gonzalez-Dias, P., German, E. L., Gonçalves, A. N. A., Mitsi, E., Nikolaou, E., Pojar, S., Miyaji, E. N., Tostes, R., Reiné, J., Collins, A. M., Nakaya, H. I., Gordon, S. B., Lu, Y. J., Pennington, S. H., Pollard, A. J., Malley, R., Jochems, S. P., Urban, B. & Solórzano, C. & 1 others, , 7 Mar 2026, In: Vaccine. 75, 128280.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Pooled analysis of PCV13 efficacy from controlled human infection trials in Malawi and the UK
Kudowa, E., Tembo, G., Chirwa, A. E., Chikaonda, T., Muyaya, A., Makhaza, L., Nsomba, E., Galafa, B., Thole, F., Ndaferankhande, J., Chimgoneko, L., Toto, N., Dula, D., Morton, B., Pennington, S., Hyder-Wright, A. D., Collins, A., Mitsi, E., Ferreira, D. & Gordon, S. & 1 others, , 26 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: npj Vaccines.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
An accessible 3D HepG2/C3A liver spheroid model supporting the complete intrahepatocytic lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum.
Caygill, C. H., Alqurashi, S. O., Adolfi, A., Carson, J., Sturm, A., Evans, D. S., Jinks, J. B., Dechering, K. J., Reimer, L., Pennington, S. H., Sharma, P., Ward, S. A. & Biagini, G. A., 20 Jun 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Parasitology. 1-25.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Citations (Scopus) -
A feasibility study of controlled human infection with intradermal Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) injection: Pilot BCG controlled human infection model
Carter, E., Morton, B., El Safadi, D., Jambo, K., Nyazika, T., Hyder-Wright, A., Chiwala, G., Chikaonda, T., Chirwa, A. E., Gonzalez Sanchez, J., Yip, V., Biagini, G., Pennington, S., Saunderson, P., Farrar, M., Myerscough, C., Collins, A., Gordon, S. & Ferreira, D., 5 Jun 2024, In: Wellcome Open Research. 8, 424.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus) -
Assessment of Favipiravir and Remdesivir in Combination for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Syrian Golden Hamsters
Neary, M., Gallardo-Toledo, E., Sharp, J., Herriott, J., Kijak, E., Bramwell, C., Cox, H., Tatham, L., Box, H., Curley, P., Arshad, U., Rajoli, R. K. R., Pertinez, H., Valentijn, A., Pennington, S., Caygill, C., Lopeman, R., Biagini, G., Kipar, A. & Stewart, J. P. & 1 others, , 27 Nov 2024, In: Viruses. 16, 12, p. 1838 1838.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Citation (Scopus)
Profiles
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Miss Kirstie Lewis
- Tropical Disease Biology - Research Assistant
- Faculty of Education
Person: Research only, PhD