About

I am a Lecturer in Clinical Microbiology at the University of Derby. My current role focuses on teaching and research across both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. I was awarded a prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship to pursue Medical Microbiology studies at the University of Liverpool. I hold a PhD in Medical Microbiology/Virology obtained at the University of Plymouth in collaboration with Imperial College London through a PhD scholarship funded by the MRC/NHS Trust. I received a Postdoctoral Research Associate Award (PDRA) funded by the Wellcome Trust.

Teaching responsibilities

I am responsible for leading a Medical Microbiology course within our Biomedical and Forensic Sciences department offered to both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I design, deliver and implement the module requirements that include summative and formative assessments, providing timely feedback/feedforward, as well as pastoral care. The modules I teach on include:

Level 4

• 4BY536 Introduction to Biomedical Science

Level 5

• 5BY543 Microbiology
• 5BY544 Clinical Immunology
• 5BY545 Diagnostic Molecular Biology
• 5BY546 Haematology

Level 6

• 6BY529 Medical Microbiology
• 6FO501 Microbial Forensics
• 6BY993 Research Project

Level 7

• 7PS576 Negotiated Module in Science
• 7EL996 Independent Scholarly Activity
• Applied Medical Biotechnology

Professional interests

I am interested in Medical Microbiology and Viral Immunology research. Much effort nationally and internationally will be dedicated to the development and establishment of professional networks and collaborations that involve winning grants. Winning research grants and attracting PhD, Postdoctoral Researchers, and Research Interns is something in contemplation. Furthermore, I would like to achieve the Academic Fellowship of the Higher Education Act.

Research interests

I am broadly interested in host-viral interactions in understanding the viral pathogenesis and their elicited immune responses. During my PhD studies, I conducted research at Imperial College London at the South Kensington campus. This offered me a great opportunity to gain useful research skills in a world-class research institution. During this time, I developed some additional skills in metabonomics. The programme involved some practical aspects in Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) techniques including data analysis and interpretation. My PhD work mainly focussed on the different strategies to identify characteristics of hepatitis C virus (HCV) resistance and possible immunological mechanisms that protect the HCV-exposed uninfected population. In it, I explored the involvement of viral-lipid interaction, as well as the role of innate immune response in conferring resistance to individuals who get exposed to HCV but remain uninfected. Over the years, I have gained essential transferrable skills in Immunology utilizing Cell culture, ELISPOT, ELISA and Luminex methods. During my PDRA award funded by the Wellcome Trust, I investigated rotavirus-specific B cell subsets in under-five children presenting with gastroenteritis at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. I gained some basic hands-on immunological phenotyping skills using FlowJo for analysis of Flow Cytometry (BD LSRFortessa) data.

Membership of professional bodies

• Fellow of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences (FIBMS) UK
• Member of the Medical Council of Malawi
• Member of the American Society for Microbiology (Country Ambassador to Malawi)
• Member of the Immunology Society of Malawi (ISM)

Qualifications

• PhD Medical Microbiology/Virology – University of Plymouth
• MSc Medical Microbiology – University of Liverpool
• BSc Biomedical Science – Nelson Mandela University
• General Teaching Associate (GTA) – University of Plymouth

Recent conferences

• Chimberenga, S., Mgawa, A., James, G., Jumbe, E., Van Hout, MC., Nyirenda, M., Shawa, IT. Unsafe Sexual practice prior to incarceration, a high-risk factor of HBV and HIV infection among prisoners in Blantyre, Malawi.  International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users (INHSU) Conference, Geneva Switzerland, 2023.
• Stockdale, A., Kreuels, B., Shawa, I., Silungwe, N., Chetcuti, K., Joekes, E., Mbale, B., Mallewa, J., Tannich, E., Weiler-Normann, C. and Lüetgehetman, M., 2023. P34 Aetiology and outcomes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in Blantyre, Malawi.
• Stockdale AJ, Kreuels B, Shawa IT, Geretti AM, Gordon MA. Aetiology and outcomes of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (QECH), Blantyre, Malawi. Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA) (Digital). Sept 2020. https://academicmedicaleducation.com/conference-liver-disease-africa-2020.
• Stockdale AJ, Silungwe NM, Shawa IT, Kreuels B, Everett D, Gordon MA, Geretti AM. Performance of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) in Malawi: A comparative evaluation in community and inpatient populations with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Conference on Liver Disease in Africa (COLDA) (Digital). Sept 2020. https://academicmedicaleducation.com/conference-liver-disease-africa-2020.
• Stockdale AJ, Meiring J, Shawa IT, Thindwa D, Silungwe N, Mbewe M, Mitambo C, Kachala R, Kreuels B, Patel P, Patel P, Gordon SB, Geretti AM, Gordon MA. Evaluation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology, vaccine impact and treatment eligibility: a census-based community    serological survey in Blantyre, Malawi. International Liver Congress: European Association for the Study of the Liver (Digital). Journal of Hepatology; 2020: 73:S790: abstract SAT274, page S790: https://ilc-congress.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/digital-ilc-2020-abstract-book-20-august.pdf.
• Stockdale AJ, Shawa I, Everett D, Geretti AM, Gordon MA. Epidemiology of hepatitis B and evaluation of vaccine efficacy in a census-based community serosurvey of Ndriande township in Blantyre, Malawi. 11th European Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health, Liverpool, UK. Abstract published in Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2019;113:S225.
• Stockdale A, Meiring J, Shawa IT, Thindwa D, Silungwe N, Mbewe M, Mitambo C, Kachala R, Kreuels B, Patel P, Patel P. Evaluation of hepatitis B virus (HBV) epidemiology, vaccine impact and treatment eligibility: a census-based community serological survey in Blantyre, Malawi. Journal of Hepatology. 2020 Aug 1;73:S790.
• Bassendine M, Pagano S, Bridge S, Sheridan D, Shawa I, Cramp M, et al. SAT-221-Autoantibodies to apolipoprotein A1 (apoA-1): A new prognostic biomarker in HCV infection. J Hepatol. 2019; doi: 10.1016/s0618-8278(19)31454-9.
• Shawa I., Bennett K, Sheridan D, et al. Upregulated innate immune responses in a hepatitis C virus exposed uninfected cohort. J Hepatol 2018;68:S798. doi:10.1016/S0168-8278(18)31867-1. France. Poster.
• Shawa IT, Cox IJ, Riva A, et al. Urine Metabolic Profiling Distinguishes HCV Exposed Uninfected Injection Drug Users From Those With Chronic Or Resolved HCV Infection. In: British Association for the study of the Liver Annual Meeting. 2016. Manchester, UK.  Poster.
• Shawa IT, Gomez Romero M, Pechlivanis A, et al. Serum lipid profiling using Ultra-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) discriminates HCV exposed uninfected injection drug users from those susceptible to infection. In: British Association for the study of the Liver. 2016. Manchester, UK. Poster.
• Sheridan DA, Gomez Romero M, Bridge S, Crossey M, Shawa IT, Neely D, Felmlee D, Holmes E, Bassendine M, Taylor-Robinson S. P0725 : Lipidomics analysis of fasting serum identifies novel lipid biomarkers specific for HCV genotype 3 and genotype 1 chronic hepatitis C virus infection. J Hepatol [Internet] 2015;62:S596 [DOI: 10.1016/S0168-8278(15)30928-4]; Spain. Poster.

Experience in industry

I have worked as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malawi College of Medicine, an opportunity that enhanced my professional development skills. While working at the University of Malawi, I performed several duties that included but were not limited to:

• Head of Department
• Research Ethics Committee (Central IRB) – Member
• University Senate Committee – Faculty/College Representative
• Research Coordinator
• Postdoctoral Research Fellowship – Wellcome Trust
• American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Country Ambassador to Malawi
• And several other roles

I also conducted and completed two important consultancy services that were funded by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the European Union (EU) as follows:

• Improving the turnaround time for Malaria Testing at Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) ACCEPTED
• Implementation of HIV supplementary/Confirmatory testing system for the Malawi Blood Transfusion Service (MBTS) ACCEPTED

When the first case of SARS-CoV-2 was reported in Malawi, I was involved in COVID-19 molecular diagnostics, and community services (that included provision of professional guidance in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic); debunking the COVID-19 vaccination myths through Television and Radio interviews.

International experience

• I received the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) Travel Grant to visit the University of Tromsø in Tromsø, Norway to learn molecular virology research skills
• I attended a two-week training in viral research and diagnostics at CAVIDI, in Uppsala, Sweden to determine the HIV RT Viral Load and Drug Resistance
• I received a DELPHE (Development Partnerships in Higher Education) Travel grant to learn diagnostic medical virology at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, Scotland through funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID)
• Prior to this, I visited Mindray company in Shenzhen, China for medical diagnostic instrumentation training
• I attended several trainings, workshops and conferences in South Africa
• I have presented research work at a conference in Geneva, Switzerland

Additional interests and activities

Editorial Board Member - BMC Infectious Diseases 

In the media

RESEARCH ARTICLES - Manuscripts submitted

1. Autoantibodies to apolipoprotein A-I in hepatitis C virus infection: a role in disease progression? IN PRESS (Clinical Infectious Diseases)
   
    
2. Unsafe sexual practices prior to incarceration, and early childhood transmission are potential high-risk factors of Hepatitis B and HIV infection among prisoners in Blantyre, Malawi. IN PRESS (BMC Public Health "Epidemiology of Viral Hepatitis")
   
    
3. Factors affecting COVID-19 vaccine uptake in populations with higher education: Insights from a cross-sectional study among university students in Malawi. IN PRESS (BMC Infectious Diseases)
   

BOOK CHAPTER

1. Antiviral properties of cannabidiol (CBD). IN PRESS (ELSEVIER - ELSA)

Recent publications

2023

• Allison, R., Guraka, A., Shawa, I.T., Tripathi, G., Moritz, W. and Kermanizadeh, A., 2023. Drug induced liver injury–a 2023 update. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, pp.1-26.
• Lazarus, J.V., Mark, H.E., Allen, A.M., Arab, J.P., Carrieri, P., Noureddin, M., Alazawi, W., Alkhouri, N., Alqahtani, S.A., Arrese, M. and Bataller, R., 2023. A global research priority agenda to advance public health responses to fatty liver disease. Journal of hepatology, 79(3), pp.618-634.

2022

• Méndez-Sánchez, N., Bugianesi, E., Gish, R.G., Lammert, F., Tilg, H., Nguyen, M.H., Sarin, S.K., Fabrellas, N., Zelber-Sagi, S., Fan, J.G. and Shiha, G., 2022. Global multi-stakeholder endorsement of the MAFLD definition. The Lancet Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 7(5), pp.388-390.
• Lazarus, J.V., Mark, H.E., Villota-Rivas, M., Palayew, A., Carrieri, P., Colombo, M., Ekstedt, M., Esmat, G., George, J., Marchesini, G. and Novak, K., 2022. The global NAFLD policy review and preparedness index: Are countries ready to address this silent public health challenge?. Journal of Hepatology, 76(4), pp.771-780.
• Stockdale, A.J., Meiring, J.E., Shawa, I.T., Thindwa, D., Silungwe, N.M., Mbewe, M., Kachala, R., Kreuels, B., Patel, P., Patel, P. and Henrion, M.Y., 2022. Hepatitis B vaccination impact and the unmet need for antiviral treatment in Blantyre, Malawi. The Journal of infectious diseases, 226(5), pp.871-880.
• Mhango, C., Mandolo, J.J., Chinyama, E., Wachepa, R., Kanjerwa, O., Malamba-Banda, C., Matambo, P.B., Barnes, K.G., Chaguza, C., Shawa, I.T. and Nyaga, M.M., 2022. Rotavirus genotypes in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction in Blantyre, Malawi, 1997–2019. The Journal of infectious diseases, 225(12), pp.2127-2136.
• Sheridan, D.A., Shawa, I.T., Thomas, E.L., Felmlee, D.J., Bridge, S.H., Neely, D., Cobbold, J.F., Holmes, E., Bassendine, M.F. and Taylor-Robinson, S.D., 2022. Infection with the hepatitis C virus causes viral genotype-specific differences in cholesterol metabolism and hepatic steatosis. Scientific reports, 12(1), pp.1-11.
• Benedicto-Matambo, P., Bines, J.E., Malamba-Banda, C., Shawa, I.T., Barnes, K., Kamng’ona, A.W., Hungerford, D., Jambo, K.C., Iturriza-Gomara, M., Cunliffe, N.A. and Flanagan, K.L., 2022. Leveraging Beneficial Off-Target Effects of Live-Attenuated Rotavirus Vaccines. Vaccines, 10(3), p.418.
• Stockdale, A.J., Kreuels, B., Shawa, I.T., Meiring, J.E., Thindwa, D., Silungwe, N.M., Chetcuti, K., Joekes, E., Mbewe, M., Mbale, B. and Patel, P., 2022. A clinical and molecular epidemiological survey of hepatitis C in Blantyre, Malawi, suggests a historic mechanism of transmission. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 29(4), pp.252-262.

2021

• Sheridan DA, Shawa IT, Thomas EL, et al. Lipidomics and body fat composition analysis characterises specific differences in cholesterol metabolism and steatosis between hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 and 3. Research Square; 2021. DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-990460/v1.
• Lazarus JV, Mark HE, Anstee QM, Arab JP, Batterham RL, Castera L, Cortez-Pinto H, Crespo J, Cusi K, Dirac MA, Francque S. Advancing the global public health agenda for NAFLD: a consensus statement. Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2021 Oct 27:1-9.
• Mandolo, J.J., Henrion, M.Y., Mhango, C., Chinyama, E., Wachepa, R., Kanjerwa, O., Malamba-Banda, C., Shawa, I.T., Hungerford, D., Kamng’ona, A.W. and Iturriza-Gomara, M., 2021. Reduction in severity of all-cause gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation in children vaccinated against rotavirus in Malawi. Viruses, 13(12), p.2491.
• Stockdale, A.J., Silungwe, N.M., Shawa, I.T., Kreuels, B., Gordon, M.A. and Geretti, A.M., 2021. Diagnostic performance evaluation of hepatitis B e antigen rapid diagnostic tests in Malawi. BMC infectious diseases, 21(1), pp.1-10.

2020

• Munharo, S., Nayupe, S., Mbulaje, P., Patel, P., Banda, C., Gacutno, K.J.A., Lin, X. and Shawa, I.T., 2020. Challenges of COVID-19 testing in low-middle income countries (LMICs): the case of Malawi. Journal of Laboratory and Precision Medicine, 5(10.21037).

2017

• Shawa, I.T., Felmlee, D.J., Hegazy, D., Sheridan, D.A. and Cramp, M.E., 2017. Exploration of potential mechanisms of hepatitis C virus resistance in exposed uninfected intravenous drug users. Journal of Viral Hepatitis, 24(12), pp.1082-1088.
• Shawa, I.T., Sheridan, D.A., Felmlee, D.J. and Cramp, M.E., 2017. Lipid interactions influence hepatitis C virus susceptibility and resistance to infection. Clinical Liver Disease, 10(1), p.17.
• Chipetah, F., Chirambo, A., Billiat, E. and Shawa, I.T., 2017. Hepatitis B virus seroprevalence among Malawian medical students: a cross-sectional study. Malawi Medical Journal, 29(1), pp.29-31.

Book Authorship

Shawa, I.T., 2019. Hepatitis B and C viruses. In Hepatitis B and C. IntechOpen.