Based at the University of Oxford (UK) and Stellenbosch University (South Africa), VALIDATE (VAccine deveLopment for complex Intracellular neglecteD pAThogEns) is an international research network connecting researchers from more than 80 countries into an engaged community, all working together to accelerate vaccine development for three groups of globally significant but neglected pathogens: Mycobacteria (causing diseases such as TB and leprosy), Leishmania spp.(leishmaniasis), and Burkholderia pseudomallei (melioidosis).
Since launching in 2017 with 32 members based in 8 countries, VALIDATE has become one of the world’s leading research networks focused on these neglected infectious diseases. The Network supports its members via grants, training, career support, and facilitating collaboration- and capacity-building — particularly for early-career researchers (ECRs) and scientists in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
What VALIDATE has achieved so far
Awarded over £3.5M in Fellowship and Pump-priming grants, building research capacity by helping members develop new ideas, establish collaborations, and perform cutting edge research. These VALIDATE activities have resulted in 86 novel, peer-reviewed publications so far.
VALIDATE activities have stimulated >£25.5M in follow-on funding to members, and to VALIDATE itself, from major international funding agencies.
Supported ECRs and LMIC scientists through mentoring, training and travel grants, and a dedicated ECR Career Development Network.
Delivered online seminars and workshops each year, covering world-leading research, technical skills, grant writing, leadership, and public engagement, and reaching >3,400 attendees from 78 countries to date.
Organised Annual Meetings and in-person scientific workshops on three continents, providing unmissable opportunities for researchers to share findings, form collaborations, and build a global community across the TB, leishmaniasis, leprosy, and melioidosis fields.
Prof Samantha Sampson (Stellenbosch University, South Africa), VALIDATE Director, said: “When VALIDATE began, we set out to build a truly global, collaborative community linking researchers across disciplines, diseases, and regions. Reaching 1000 members from 80 countries clearly reflects how strong and globally connected this community has become.”
Professor Andrea Cooper (University of Leicester, UK), VALIDATE Co-Director, added: “This milestone represents more than just numbers — it reflects the energy, creativity, and commitment of scientists around the world who are working together to tackle some of the world’s most neglected infectious diseases.”
Dr María Adelaida Gómez (CIDEIM, Colombia), VALIDATE Co-Director, said: “VALIDATE’s strength lies in its diversity — of people, perspectives, and pathogens. From high-income to low- and middle-income countries, our members are driving innovation in the lab and reshaping how we collaborate across borders to achieve equity in research.”
Professor Helen McShane (University of Oxford, UK), VALIDATE Co-Director, concluded: “From early-career researchers to senior investigators, VALIDATE has become a platform for sharing ideas, building skills, and advancing vaccine science worldwide. We’re delighted to see the community continue to grow and thrive.”
For more information about VALIDATE, its activities and achievements, and how to join, visit: www.validate-network.org .
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Notes to Editors
The VALIDATE will be celebrating with several activities - find out more: https://www.validate-network.org/1000-members "
For further information, please contact: Blakeley Nixon, VALIDATE Communications and events coordinator - blakeley.nixon@ndm.ox.ac.uk (+44) 07403 802502 (feel free to contact Blakeley via Whatsapp).
To mark the milestone of reaching our 1,000th member, we conducted a series of interviews with network researchers as part of the VALID8 series. These interviews provide a rich source of quotes and perspectives from members across multiple countries and institutions.
Dr Cristian Segura-Cerda , Postdoctoral Researcher, CIATEJ (Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco), Mexico
Dr Nastassja Kriel , Researcher, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Dr Zimvo Obasa , Postdoctoral Researcher, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Dr Paula Niewold , Postdoctoral Researcher, Leiden University Medical Centre, Netherlands
Dr Rachel Okojie , Senior Lecturer and Researcher, University of Benin, Nigeria
Dr Millicent Lamptey , Researcher, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana
Dr Tuhina Gupta , Senior Research Scientist, Infectious Disease Research Institute, India
Dr Pia Steigler , Principal Investigator, Afrigen Biologics, South Africa
Prof Samantha Sampson , Principal Investigator in Mycobacteriology, and VALIDATE Network Director, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
The VALIDATE will be celebrating with several activities - find out more: https://www.validate-network.org/1000-members
About the University of Oxford
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