Published: 09 February 2023
St George’s Professor Shamez Ladhani has been listed among the most Highly Cited Researchers in the world for 2022. Professor Ladhani is a Professor of Paediatrics Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology within the Institute for Infection and Immunity, a Paediatric Infectious Disease Consultant at St George's University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and a Consultant Epidemiologist for the UK Health Security Agency.
The Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers list is published annually following its inception in 2014. Professor Ladhani joins two St George’s colleagues on the list, Professor John Camm, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Cardiology (first highly cited in 2015) and Professor Andrew Rhodes, Professor in Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (first highly cited in 2019).
2022 was a busy year for Professor Ladhani with 70+ per reviewed publications and 7000 citations. We spoke to him to hear more about his work, its impact and what motivates him.
Reflecting on the recent recognition of his work, Professor Ladhani said:
I have to admit that this is a real privilege given that this is a global achievement and, more so, because I am primarily a paediatrician, which is quite a small specialty in medicine and academia.
- Professor Shamez Ladhani -
"The Covid-19 pandemic clearly played a big part because there were so many unanswered questions at the start of the pandemic. Working for three different organisations - on the frontline, in academia and in public health – meant that there were unique opportunities for cross-field research in epidemiology, clinical disease and Covid-19 vaccines. It's amazing how much collaborative research we performed with so many different organisations nationally and internationally. The last three years have been challenging but also very rewarding."
A moving target
Further discussing the impact of the pandemic, he said: "The unusual thing about the Covid-19 pandemic is you work on the most important research questions at the time and this was constantly a moving target because of the new SARS-CoV-2 variants that kept appearing. What was really exciting is that we were one of the first countries to implement the Covid-19 vaccine and the first country to use an extended vaccine schedule with an 8-12 week interval to maximise coverage of the first dose, which meant that our vaccine effectiveness and impact work received a lot of international attention and often got published in high-impact journals.
Additionally, I believe that we were ahead of the curve in terms of assessing the effects of the pandemic and its restrictions on children and impact to education. We have published a lot in this field and our work has gone on to directly influence national policy, which is very gratifying.
- Professor Shamez Ladhani -
2022 has been a rollercoaster ride
Sharing more about his eventful year and what motivates him, Professor Ladhani said: "Public health work is always very exciting and unpredictable. Whilst the work on Covid-19 continues in the background, 2022 has been a rollercoaster ride in terms of emerging and re-emerging infection outbreaks. In less than 12 months, we had a severe hepatitis outbreak in February, Monkeypox in May, polio in London wastewaters in the summer, followed by diphtheria in asylum seekers in autumn and, most recently, group A strep infections. Each outbreak requires surveillance, communication and guidance – and there are always opportunities for research."
Medicine is a very, very long career, so it is important that we keep our job varied and exciting. Working for three different employers (NHS, a university, UKHSA) certainly keeps me busy but the work is interesting and often has national impact, which is rewarding.
- Professor Shamez Ladhani -
Congratulations Professor Ladhani on this well-deserved recognition!
If you would like to find out more about Professor Ladhani's work he is speaking at an Infection and Immunity seminar on Covid-19 in kids: what have we learnt after 3 years on Wednesday 22 February 2023, 1-2pm. Join the event via the link here.
Find out more about the research taking place at the University here.