Staff profile

Dr Isaac Thom Shawa


Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology

Isaac Shawa at the front of a lecture theatre at the University of Derby.

Subject

Biomedical Science

Academic unit

College of Science and Engineering

Department

School of Science

Research centre

Human Sciences Research Centre, Metabolic Disorders and Cancer Research Centre

ORCiD ID

0000-0001-5236-6467

Campus

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Email

i.shawa@derby.ac.uk

About

I am a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Derby, where I am actively engaged in both teaching and research across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. My academic and research interests are rooted in clinical microbiology and virology, with a particular emphasis on infectious diseases, viral hepatitis, and post-viral syndromes such as Long COVID.

Before joining the University of Derby, I taught and conducted research at the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences in Malawi, where I was promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology following a successful application. In addition to my teaching and research responsibilities, I have secured several grants both as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator particularly during my tenure in Malawi. My professional contributions have played a significant role in shaping policy within the Government of Malawi. While at the University of Derby, I have submitted some grant applications and continue to pursue funding opportunities to support impactful research and development initiatives.

I was honoured to receive a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship, which enabled me to pursue Medical Microbiology studies at the University of Liverpool. I subsequently obtained my PhD in Medical Microbiology/Virology at the University of Plymouth, in collaboration with Imperial College London, through a PhD scholarship. I later held a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) position supported by a joint award from the Wellcome Trust and the University of Malawi.

At the University of Derby, I am currently collaborating with Professor Mark Faghy on a robust research platform aimed at identifying the underlying mechanisms of Long COVID. This work is focused on exploring the clinical, immunological, and cellular features of patients affected by COVID-19, in order to improve our understanding of the pathology and inform future treatment strategies.

I am currently supervising two PhD students who are in the final stages of their research. I welcome enquiries from prospective PhD candidates interested in clinical microbiology, virology, viral hepatitis, or the investigation of post-viral conditions such as Long COVID.

Alongside my research activities, I lead a range of teaching modules across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, contributing to curriculum development and student mentorship.

Teaching responsibilities

I am responsible for leading the Medical Microbiology course within the Department of Biomedical and Forensic Sciences, delivered at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. My role involves the full design and delivery of course content, ensuring that the module meets academic and professional standards. I also implement both summative and formative assessments, and provide constructive, timely feedback and feedforward to support student development.

As part of my academic responsibilities, I also serve as a personal academic tutor, offering individual guidance and pastoral support to students throughout their studies.

Modules I currently contribute to include:

Through these teaching activities, I aim to foster critical thinking, scientific curiosity, and research-led learning in the next generation of biomedical scientists. My teaching is closely complemented by professional interests that focus on fostering multidisciplinary collaborations and advancing medical microbiology research.

Professional interests

My professional interests encompass curriculum development for medical and allied health programmes. I am deeply committed to advancing research and teaching in these areas, and I remain open to continuous learning, collaboration, and exploring new roles that foster professional growth and innovation. I am committed to mentoring academic staff and postgraduate students, engaging in public health education, and collaborating with other professionals. I will play an active role in academic leadership through participation in institutional committees, supporting accreditation and educational excellence.

I am deeply committed to fostering collaboration with like-minded individuals across academic, non-academic, and industrial sectors, particularly those who share a multidisciplinary approach to research and practice. 

A significant part of my professional focus, both nationally and internationally, is dedicated to building strong professional networks and research collaborations with an emphasis on securing competitive research grants. I am keen to attract highly motivated PhD candidates to contribute to our growing multidisciplinary research efforts.

Research interests

My primary interests lie in medical microbiology, viral immunology, infectious diseases, and molecular microbiology especially in exploring the immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying microbial pathogenesis.

I am broadly interested in host–viral interactions, with a focus on understanding viral pathogenesis and the immune responses they elicit. During my PhD studies, I had the privilege of conducting part of the research at Imperial College London’s South Kensington campus, which provided an excellent opportunity to develop valuable research skills within a world-class institution. Throughout this period, I enhanced my expertise in metabonomics, experimental design, creativity, and critical thinking. My programme involved practical experience with Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques, including data analysis and interpretation. I gained invaluable insight from leading experts committed to innovation.

My doctoral research primarily centred on characterising hepatitis C virus (HCV) resistance and investigating possible immunological mechanisms protecting HCV-exposed but uninfected individuals. Specifically, I explored the role of viral–lipid interactions and the innate immune response in conferring resistance to infection in this population. Over the years, I have acquired essential transferable skills in molecular techniques and immunology, including cell culture, ELISPOT, ELISA, Luminex assays, and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods. During my Postdoctoral Research Associate award, funded by the Wellcome Trust, I studied rotavirus-specific B cell subsets in children under five presenting with gastroenteritis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. This work provided me with hands-on immunological phenotyping experience, including the use of FlowJo software for analysis of flow cytometry data (BD LSRFortessa).

My current research centres on understanding the pathogenesis and mechanisms of Long COVID; as well as the immunological and molecular signatures of viral hepatitis and HCC development. In addition, I actively welcome collaborations and PhD proposals related to viral hepatitis, particularly in projects that align with our core themes in microbiology and host-pathogen interactions.

My core research interests delve into viral pathogenesis and immune responses, building upon skills and knowledge gained during my PhD and postdoctoral studies.

To support and stay current in my field, I actively participate in several professional organisations and scientific societies.

Membership of professional bodies

Qualifications

Engagement in national and international conferences allows me to disseminate my research findings and stay connected with developments in clinical microbiology.

Recent conferences

Experience in industry

I previously served as a Lecturer, Senior Lecturer at the University of Malawi College of Medicine (now Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), where I spent several years contributing to academic leadership, research, and programme development. I was later promoted to the rank of Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology, following a successful application, recognising my contributions to teaching, research, and leadership, and service.

During my time at the University of Malawi, I held several significant roles, including:

In addition to my academic responsibilities, I completed two important consultancy projects funded by international organisations:

I was also actively involved in national response efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the first case of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Malawi, I participated in molecular diagnostics and provided professional guidance to communities. I contributed to public health outreach through media engagements, helping to dispel misinformation and address concerns around COVID-19 vaccination through television and radio interviews.

I have gained valuable experience in grant writing through collaborative research projects in Malawi, where I successfully secured funding both as a Principal investigator, and a co-investigator on several grants. These projects focused on clinical microbiology and infectious diseases. I have also contributed to grant applications while based in the UK, further strengthening my skills in proposal development and international research collaboration.

I have also pursued extensive international opportunities, including invited talks, training, and collaborative projects to broaden my expertise and networks.

International experience

In addition to my research and teaching, I actively engage with the scientific community through editorial responsibilities and committee memberships.

Additional interests and activities

Hobbies:

In the media

I have made several appearances in mainstream media outlets in Malawi, providing expert commentary on a range of public health topics including COVID-19, HIV, viral hepatitis, and other infectious diseases. Through television and radio interviews, I have contributed to public education, addressed misinformation, and supported national efforts in disease awareness and prevention.

My research endeavours have been supported by various grants, reflecting my commitment to advancing knowledge in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases.

Recent publications

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2017

Book and Book Chapter Authorship

Books:

Book Chapters: