Training the next generation of clinical academics in Medical Mycology
Professor Adilia Warris in her lab
A new training programme funded by Wellcome and involving the University of Exeter will train the next generation of experts to tackle the growing global problem of fungal disease.
The Wellcome Mycology Doctoral Training Programme for Healthcare Professionals (MYCO-DTP) brings together four Universities (Exeter, City St Georges, University of London, Imperial and Manchester) with world-leading Medical Mycology research and infrastructure, spanning fungal biology, immunology, drug discovery and clinical trials, to train the next generation of clinical academic leaders to address the rising global burden of fungal diseases and fill a critical capacity gap.
With rising incidence, high mortality and growing resistance to the limited antifungal arsenal, there is an urgent need to develop novel fungal diagnostics, antifungal and host-directed therapies. The new programme is part of Wellcome’s 155 million investment into 14 new doctoral training programmes across the UK, to support and train th next generation of healthcare professional researchers.
The programme will be co-led by Professor Adilia Warris, co-director of the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology at the University of Exeter, Clinical Mycology theme lead for the NIHR Exeter Biomedical Research Centre. The team will train 15 healthcare professionals (doctors, pharmacists, healthcare scientists) in interdisciplinary PhD research projects in fungal pathogenesis, diagnosis, immunology, antifungal drugs and resistance. The programme brings together a team of leading experts in fungal disease research and is linked to the British Society of Medical Mycology and international networks focused on clinical trials, policy and advocacy, helping ensure discoveries made through the programme can deliver impact for patients in the UK and around the world.
Professor Adilia Warris said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to train the next generation of clinical academics in Medical Mycology and to provide them with the skills to strengthen the connection between discovery science, translation and clinical practice. There is an urgent need to build capacity at the bedside to improve the outcomes of fungal diseases affecting the the most vulnerable people, and this programme allows us to do so.”
The programme is co-led by Professor Tihana Bicanic at City St George’s, alongside Professor Mike Bromley at the University of Manchester and Professor Darius Armstrong-James at Imperial College London,
Professor Tihana Bicanic, Professor of Infectious Diseases and Mycology, said: Myco-DTP offers a unique opportunity to develop future leaders in fungal disease research while strengthening the UK’s clinical academic workforce in this critical area. By partnering with outstanding institutions across the country and connecting fellows to national and global research, trial and policy networks, we aim to create lasting impact that extends far beyond the programme itself and ultimately improves outcomes for patients with fungal diseases worldwide.”
Ben Murton, Head of Early Career and Career Development Researchers at Wellcome, said: “Healthcare Professional researchers are essential for the research sector. Working on the frontlines of healthcare – from doctors and nurses, to physios and pharmacists – they gather a wealth of crucial insights that sustains excellent discovery research. However, we know that getting onto and progressing through the dual career pathway with the need to balance research alongside intensive clinical practice is often incredibly challenging.
“The 14 doctoral programmes we are supporting address those barriers, particularly through the innovative use of the funding to support career transitions and progression.”
Learn more about the Wellcome-funded doctoral training programme
