Michael Marks
@drmichaelmarks.bsky.social
NIHR Research Professor
Professor of Medicine at LSHTM.
Lead for Integrated Academic Training at LSHTM.
Consultant in Infectious Diseases at UCLH.
Syphilis & STIs, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Group A Strep, Pragmatic Trials
Professor of Medicine at LSHTM.
Lead for Integrated Academic Training at LSHTM.
Consultant in Infectious Diseases at UCLH.
Syphilis & STIs, Neglected Tropical Diseases, Emerging Infectious Diseases, Group A Strep, Pragmatic Trials
Reposted by Michael Marks
🧪 🦠 #Mpox virus “acquired during pregnancy should be regarded as a congenital pathogen” particularly in the first trimester
MBOTE-SK project followed 89 pregnant women in DR Congo
@labgenpath.bsky.social @ispm.unibe.ch @itmantwerp.bsky.social
🧵 1/2
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
MBOTE-SK project followed 89 pregnant women in DR Congo
@labgenpath.bsky.social @ispm.unibe.ch @itmantwerp.bsky.social
🧵 1/2
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Maternal and neonatal outcomes after infection with monkeypox virus clade I during pregnancy in DR Congo: a pooled, prospective cohort study
Monkeypox virus (MPXV) has been linked to vertical transmission, but systematic data are scarce. We aimed to describe the sociodemographic, clinical, …
www.sciencedirect.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:26 PM
🧪 🦠 #Mpox virus “acquired during pregnancy should be regarded as a congenital pathogen” particularly in the first trimester
MBOTE-SK project followed 89 pregnant women in DR Congo
@labgenpath.bsky.social @ispm.unibe.ch @itmantwerp.bsky.social
🧵 1/2
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
MBOTE-SK project followed 89 pregnant women in DR Congo
@labgenpath.bsky.social @ispm.unibe.ch @itmantwerp.bsky.social
🧵 1/2
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Finally attempting to clear my 2025 'to-read-list' before the end of year. Just 71 papers to go.....
December 21, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Finally attempting to clear my 2025 'to-read-list' before the end of year. Just 71 papers to go.....
Reposted by Michael Marks
📣 UKHSA survey on gonorrhoea testing practices in England
UKHSA is inviting sexual health services & diagnostic labs to take part in a national survey on current gonorrhoea testing practices across England.
⏱️ 15 minutes
🗓️ Deadline: 14 Jan 2026
🔗 Take part here: surveys.ukhsa.gov.uk/s/sg01bo
UKHSA is inviting sexual health services & diagnostic labs to take part in a national survey on current gonorrhoea testing practices across England.
⏱️ 15 minutes
🗓️ Deadline: 14 Jan 2026
🔗 Take part here: surveys.ukhsa.gov.uk/s/sg01bo
Starting survey...
surveys.ukhsa.gov.uk
December 18, 2025 at 6:58 PM
📣 UKHSA survey on gonorrhoea testing practices in England
UKHSA is inviting sexual health services & diagnostic labs to take part in a national survey on current gonorrhoea testing practices across England.
⏱️ 15 minutes
🗓️ Deadline: 14 Jan 2026
🔗 Take part here: surveys.ukhsa.gov.uk/s/sg01bo
UKHSA is inviting sexual health services & diagnostic labs to take part in a national survey on current gonorrhoea testing practices across England.
⏱️ 15 minutes
🗓️ Deadline: 14 Jan 2026
🔗 Take part here: surveys.ukhsa.gov.uk/s/sg01bo
Reposted by Michael Marks
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
Social Inequalities in Infectious Disease Dynamics: a Symposium and Workshop
iddconf.org
December 16, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Symposium & workshop on inequalities in infectious disease dynamics at LSHTM in April 2026. We aim to will bring together leading researchers and practitioners to share ideas, discuss recent advances, and reflect on future directions. Details & application: iddconf.org/lshtm-sympos... Closing 21 Jan
Reposted by Michael Marks
Leaders at @ukri.org should be seriously looking at the lottery first idea. 68% lower economic costs, increase in diversity of award holders and well received.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Lottery before peer review is associated with increased female representation and reduced estimated economic cost in a German funding line - Nature Communications
The authors show evidence from a German funding line that a lottery-first approach followed by peer review is accompanied by increased female representation both at the submission stage and among fund...
www.nature.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Leaders at @ukri.org should be seriously looking at the lottery first idea. 68% lower economic costs, increase in diversity of award holders and well received.
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Super proud of my student Philippe Ndzomo awarded PhD today at University of Yaounde.
His work focused on the emergence of Hameophilus ducreyi as a cause of cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon & Globally
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40338972/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39961439/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150487/
His work focused on the emergence of Hameophilus ducreyi as a cause of cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon & Globally
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40338972/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39961439/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150487/
December 11, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Super proud of my student Philippe Ndzomo awarded PhD today at University of Yaounde.
His work focused on the emergence of Hameophilus ducreyi as a cause of cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon & Globally
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40338972/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39961439/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150487/
His work focused on the emergence of Hameophilus ducreyi as a cause of cutaneous ulcers in Cameroon & Globally
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40338972/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39961439/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38150487/
We have a PhD project as part of this scheme focused on mathematical modelling of STI transmission. Do get in touch if you are interested.
👋Our MRC-LID studentships are now open for applications with @citystgeorges.bsky.social
MRC-LID provides research opportunities focused on improving #GlobalHealth with skills, training & the expertise of 2 specialist institutions.
Apply by 14 Jan 2026👉 mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk
MRC-LID provides research opportunities focused on improving #GlobalHealth with skills, training & the expertise of 2 specialist institutions.
Apply by 14 Jan 2026👉 mrc-lid.lshtm.ac.uk
December 11, 2025 at 12:36 PM
We have a PhD project as part of this scheme focused on mathematical modelling of STI transmission. Do get in touch if you are interested.
Incredible retirement talk by Prof. Paul Fine @lshtm.bsky.social Career dedicated to global health, critical enquiry & passion for training next generation in UK & esp Malawi where he left huge legacy. Privilege spend 10+yrs at same institution & humbling to know its not even 1/3 time hes been here.
December 9, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Incredible retirement talk by Prof. Paul Fine @lshtm.bsky.social Career dedicated to global health, critical enquiry & passion for training next generation in UK & esp Malawi where he left huge legacy. Privilege spend 10+yrs at same institution & humbling to know its not even 1/3 time hes been here.
Reposted by Michael Marks
Please come along tomorrow to celebrate Prof Paul Fine's decades-long work @lshtm.bsky.social and for #PublicHealth worldwide. ❤️🩹🌍
📅 9 December 2025
⏲️ 17.30
📍LSHTM | John Snow Lecture Theatre
🔗 bit.ly/3KDk6Ay
📅 9 December 2025
⏲️ 17.30
📍LSHTM | John Snow Lecture Theatre
🔗 bit.ly/3KDk6Ay
Professor Paul Fine’s retirement lecture and celebration | LSHTM
Please join us to celebrate and commiserate Professor Paul Fine’s retirement after many decades of service to the LSHTM. The event will consist of a special lecture by Paul reflecting on aspects of
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Please come along tomorrow to celebrate Prof Paul Fine's decades-long work @lshtm.bsky.social and for #PublicHealth worldwide. ❤️🩹🌍
📅 9 December 2025
⏲️ 17.30
📍LSHTM | John Snow Lecture Theatre
🔗 bit.ly/3KDk6Ay
📅 9 December 2025
⏲️ 17.30
📍LSHTM | John Snow Lecture Theatre
🔗 bit.ly/3KDk6Ay
UK Sexual Health Clinicians - can you spare a few minutes to contribute to a survey led by colleagues in Australia on the role of AI in improving diagnosis of anogenital skin conditions?
Survey is here: go.unimelb.edu.au/b3a2
@drlaurajwaters.bsky.social @manikkohli.bsky.social
Survey is here: go.unimelb.edu.au/b3a2
@drlaurajwaters.bsky.social @manikkohli.bsky.social
Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management
The most powerful, simple and trusted way to gather experience data. Start your journey to experience management and try a free account today.
go.unimelb.edu.au
December 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM
UK Sexual Health Clinicians - can you spare a few minutes to contribute to a survey led by colleagues in Australia on the role of AI in improving diagnosis of anogenital skin conditions?
Survey is here: go.unimelb.edu.au/b3a2
@drlaurajwaters.bsky.social @manikkohli.bsky.social
Survey is here: go.unimelb.edu.au/b3a2
@drlaurajwaters.bsky.social @manikkohli.bsky.social
Excited to announce launch of IVM-KIDS consortium.
Funded by @globalhealthedctp3.bsky.social & Open Philanthropy & Swiss Government.
Aim to deliver data & paediatric friendly formulation to extend use of ivermectin for NTDs to include youngest children who are currently excluded from programmes.
Funded by @globalhealthedctp3.bsky.social & Open Philanthropy & Swiss Government.
Aim to deliver data & paediatric friendly formulation to extend use of ivermectin for NTDs to include youngest children who are currently excluded from programmes.
IVMKIDS – Parasite control for those who need it most
Making ivermectin safe and accessible for all ages An opportunity to extend treatment for multiple Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) worldwide Providing clinical evidence to support the use of ive...
ivmkids.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Excited to announce launch of IVM-KIDS consortium.
Funded by @globalhealthedctp3.bsky.social & Open Philanthropy & Swiss Government.
Aim to deliver data & paediatric friendly formulation to extend use of ivermectin for NTDs to include youngest children who are currently excluded from programmes.
Funded by @globalhealthedctp3.bsky.social & Open Philanthropy & Swiss Government.
Aim to deliver data & paediatric friendly formulation to extend use of ivermectin for NTDs to include youngest children who are currently excluded from programmes.
Congratulations to Burrell St Sexual Health: First UK patient into SOS Global - Evaluating mucosal shedding of spirochetes in heterosexual individuals with syphilis.
Great collaboration led by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre focused on understanding syphilis transmission.
Great collaboration led by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre focused on understanding syphilis transmission.
December 2, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Congratulations to Burrell St Sexual Health: First UK patient into SOS Global - Evaluating mucosal shedding of spirochetes in heterosexual individuals with syphilis.
Great collaboration led by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre focused on understanding syphilis transmission.
Great collaboration led by Melbourne Sexual Health Centre focused on understanding syphilis transmission.
Reposted by Michael Marks
A group of ID clinical researchers passionate about clinical research and evidence appraisal has just launched the CLARITY initiative (clarityinitiative.org), which aims to improve the generation and interpretation of evidence in ID and Microbiology.
Clarity Initiative
Clinical Literature Appraisal and Research education in InfecTious diseases
clarityinitiative.org
November 30, 2025 at 11:40 PM
A group of ID clinical researchers passionate about clinical research and evidence appraisal has just launched the CLARITY initiative (clarityinitiative.org), which aims to improve the generation and interpretation of evidence in ID and Microbiology.
REMINDER
1) Last week to apply for a PhD studentship working on near patient syphilis diagnostics - deadline 5th December.
2) We also have an STI modelling PhD open for applications until mid January.
If interested do get in touch.
1) Last week to apply for a PhD studentship working on near patient syphilis diagnostics - deadline 5th December.
2) We also have an STI modelling PhD open for applications until mid January.
If interested do get in touch.
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
November 28, 2025 at 9:59 AM
REMINDER
1) Last week to apply for a PhD studentship working on near patient syphilis diagnostics - deadline 5th December.
2) We also have an STI modelling PhD open for applications until mid January.
If interested do get in touch.
1) Last week to apply for a PhD studentship working on near patient syphilis diagnostics - deadline 5th December.
2) We also have an STI modelling PhD open for applications until mid January.
If interested do get in touch.
Reposted by Michael Marks
New preprint: with increasing resistance to ceftriaxone, the last recommended antibiotic for gonorrhea, we urgently need new drugs. Two--zoliflodacin & gepotdiacin--are up for approval by the FDA in Dec. Here we show a point mutation can result in cross-resistance. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Zoliflodacin and gepotidacin cross-resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae
Resistance to zoliflodacin, a first-in-class antibiotic for gonorrhea treatment, can occur through gyrBD429N, but this mutation's impact on fitness and resistance to other topoisomerase targeting drug...
www.biorxiv.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:39 AM
New preprint: with increasing resistance to ceftriaxone, the last recommended antibiotic for gonorrhea, we urgently need new drugs. Two--zoliflodacin & gepotdiacin--are up for approval by the FDA in Dec. Here we show a point mutation can result in cross-resistance. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
Great event at the Red Run for World Aids Day - a bracing, wet, windy but highly enjoyable 10km. Still accepting final donations for an excellent cause - @thelovetankcic.bsky.social
November 22, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Great event at the Red Run for World Aids Day - a bracing, wet, windy but highly enjoyable 10km. Still accepting final donations for an excellent cause - @thelovetankcic.bsky.social
Two funded PhD studentships available to come and work with us.
Through my @nihr.bsky.social Professorship & the Health Protection Research Unit on STIs - come & work on syphilis diagnostics.
Through MRC LID scheme @lshtm.bsky.social - come & work on mathematical modelling of STI interventions.
Through my @nihr.bsky.social Professorship & the Health Protection Research Unit on STIs - come & work on syphilis diagnostics.
Through MRC LID scheme @lshtm.bsky.social - come & work on mathematical modelling of STI interventions.
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
November 21, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Two funded PhD studentships available to come and work with us.
Through my @nihr.bsky.social Professorship & the Health Protection Research Unit on STIs - come & work on syphilis diagnostics.
Through MRC LID scheme @lshtm.bsky.social - come & work on mathematical modelling of STI interventions.
Through my @nihr.bsky.social Professorship & the Health Protection Research Unit on STIs - come & work on syphilis diagnostics.
Through MRC LID scheme @lshtm.bsky.social - come & work on mathematical modelling of STI interventions.
Reposted by Michael Marks
𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 🎓 Applications are now open for OUCRU’s fully funded #PhD programme at @ox.ac.uk , offering world-class research training for scientists and clinicians from Vietnam & Indonesia.
👉 Explore more: linktr.ee/oucru
👉 Explore more: linktr.ee/oucru
November 19, 2025 at 3:18 AM
𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 🎓 Applications are now open for OUCRU’s fully funded #PhD programme at @ox.ac.uk , offering world-class research training for scientists and clinicians from Vietnam & Indonesia.
👉 Explore more: linktr.ee/oucru
👉 Explore more: linktr.ee/oucru
Reposted by Michael Marks
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Fabulous meeting in Zimbabwe @thruzim.bsky.social for PROMISE Trial
Investigating STI screening in 12,000 women in antenatal care thruzim.org/hiv-srh-1/promise
Great team across clinical, stats, economics, social science, genomics & basic science to allow us to tackle a wide range of questions
Investigating STI screening in 12,000 women in antenatal care thruzim.org/hiv-srh-1/promise
Great team across clinical, stats, economics, social science, genomics & basic science to allow us to tackle a wide range of questions
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Fabulous meeting in Zimbabwe @thruzim.bsky.social for PROMISE Trial
Investigating STI screening in 12,000 women in antenatal care thruzim.org/hiv-srh-1/promise
Great team across clinical, stats, economics, social science, genomics & basic science to allow us to tackle a wide range of questions
Investigating STI screening in 12,000 women in antenatal care thruzim.org/hiv-srh-1/promise
Great team across clinical, stats, economics, social science, genomics & basic science to allow us to tackle a wide range of questions
Partner notification is a key part of STI care but uptake in many LMIC settings is low.
Our RCT in Zimbabwe tried to improve uptake via financial incentives.
Results out in Lancet Global Health.
tl;dr Answer was no. Possibly as incentive only averted indirect costs of care & that wasn't enough.
Our RCT in Zimbabwe tried to improve uptake via financial incentives.
Results out in Lancet Global Health.
tl;dr Answer was no. Possibly as incentive only averted indirect costs of care & that wasn't enough.
Financial incentives to improve uptake of partner treatment for sexually transmitted infections in antenatal care: a cluster randomised trial in Zimbabwe
Financial incentives did not address barriers to index participants informing partners,
and ultimately did not improve partner attendance for STI treatment. Multifaceted
packages addressing barriers f...
www.thelancet.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Partner notification is a key part of STI care but uptake in many LMIC settings is low.
Our RCT in Zimbabwe tried to improve uptake via financial incentives.
Results out in Lancet Global Health.
tl;dr Answer was no. Possibly as incentive only averted indirect costs of care & that wasn't enough.
Our RCT in Zimbabwe tried to improve uptake via financial incentives.
Results out in Lancet Global Health.
tl;dr Answer was no. Possibly as incentive only averted indirect costs of care & that wasn't enough.
Reposted by Michael Marks
Registration is open for Strep GBI 2026, bringing together ECRs and experts to highlight cutting-edge research focused on crucial aspects of Streptococcal biology.
📌 Durham
🗓️ March 30/31 2026.
🌐 strepgbi.wixsite.com/strep-gbi.
Registration and abstracts
👉 pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham...
📌 Durham
🗓️ March 30/31 2026.
🌐 strepgbi.wixsite.com/strep-gbi.
Registration and abstracts
👉 pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham...
November 12, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Registration is open for Strep GBI 2026, bringing together ECRs and experts to highlight cutting-edge research focused on crucial aspects of Streptococcal biology.
📌 Durham
🗓️ March 30/31 2026.
🌐 strepgbi.wixsite.com/strep-gbi.
Registration and abstracts
👉 pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham...
📌 Durham
🗓️ March 30/31 2026.
🌐 strepgbi.wixsite.com/strep-gbi.
Registration and abstracts
👉 pay.durham.ac.uk/event-durham...
UK Infection & related specialty clinicians - we would like your views on the design of RCTs to optimise treatment of Enterococcal bacteraemia.
Relevant for ID, microbiology, cardiologists etc.
Relevant for ID, microbiology, cardiologists etc.
Treatment of ENterococcus Trial (TENT) clinical attitudes and equipoise survey
Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.
www.surveymonkey.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 PM
UK Infection & related specialty clinicians - we would like your views on the design of RCTs to optimise treatment of Enterococcal bacteraemia.
Relevant for ID, microbiology, cardiologists etc.
Relevant for ID, microbiology, cardiologists etc.
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Two syphilis/STI related UK PhD Studentships with our group:
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Evaluating near-patient syphilis tests with @uclglobalhealth.bsky.social inyurl.com/aw9sapma deadline 5th Dec 2025
Mathematical models to understand partner notification tinyurl.com/2re7xasj deadline 14th Jan 2026
Please do share
Reposted by Michael Marks
PhD position (London, UK)
Develop a model of sexually transmitted infections and understand impact of partner notification on transmission of STIs.
with @dr_michaelmarks
at LSHTM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2390
Develop a model of sexually transmitted infections and understand impact of partner notification on transmission of STIs.
with @dr_michaelmarks
at LSHTM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2390
November 5, 2025 at 6:40 PM
PhD position (London, UK)
Develop a model of sexually transmitted infections and understand impact of partner notification on transmission of STIs.
with @dr_michaelmarks
at LSHTM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2390
Develop a model of sexually transmitted infections and understand impact of partner notification on transmission of STIs.
with @dr_michaelmarks
at LSHTM
More details: http://iddjobs.org/jobs/2390