Paola Cicconi

Supported by a dedicate clinical research team, I provide leadership in vaccine development at the University of Oxford, establishing equitable partnerships with senior immunologists to advance vaccine candidates from bench to clinic.

I oversee the clinical development of the Oxford HIV vaccine programme, delivering Phase I/IIa trials of HIVconsvX vaccines in the UK and internationally, while my dual role as Clinical Lead for the HIV Service at Oxford University Hospital has enabled me to expand research into innovative strategies towards HIV cure. This integration of clinical care and academic research has built local capacity and created meaningful opportunities for people living with HIV to participate in research.

Beyond HIV, we play a leading role in global health vaccine programmes, including the clinical development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines in collaboration with partners across Africa. These international trials target adolescents and children in endemic regions, while my contribution to the malaria liver-stage programme focuses on women of childbearing potential.

I have strengthened innovation pipelines by forging collaborations with biotech partners, leading commercial trials on priority pathogens through the Jenner Clinical Trial Unit, and contributing my expertise to the design of the new Service Research Facility at the Jenner Institute. I aim to continue to drive forward vaccine clinical development and HIV research by fostering national and international collaborations that translate innovation into impact.