Philippa Matthews


Philippa Matthews

Dr

I am a research fellow in Clinical Infection funded by the Wellcome Trust to work on a study of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, with a particular focus on populations in southern Africa.

Together with a group of collaborators at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, I am pioneering a new pipeline to generate full length deep HBV sequences, alongside collecting human demographic, clinical and genetic data. The aim of the study is to identify factors that impact on the outcomes of chronic HBV infection, and specifically to characterise the adaptive immune response.

In the long-term, advancing this knowledge will feed into optimising therapy and developing strategies for cure.

I have a background in HIV immunology, and also have research interests in other chronic viral infections including CMV, herpes viruses and human parvovirus-4 (PARV4), and virus discovery.

I am interested in data visualisation, which includes promoting Open Access publication, and also designing my own resources for use in primary and secondary school workshops to inspire school students in topics around science and medicine.

I continue to contribute to clinical work, and teaching graduate and undergraduate medical students in Microbiology and Infectious Diseases at Oxford University Hospitals. My particular clinical interests include the management of bone and joint infection, and antimicrobial prescribing and stewardship.

Affiliations:

  • Honorary Consultant in Clinical Infection; Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
  • Wellcome Trust Research Fellow, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford and Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, University of Oxford.
  • Senior Research Fellow; Harris Manchester College, University of Oxford.

Funding:

  • NIHR - Research Capability Funding (2015-2016).
  • Rosetrees Trust (small project grant, 2014-2016).
  • British Infection Association (small project grant, 2014-2016).
  • University of Oxford Medical Research Fund (small project grant, 2014-2016).
  • Wellcome Trust (Intermediate Fellowship 2016-2021).
  • Royal College of Pathologists and Wellcome Trust grants for Public Engagement (2015 onwards).