Dr. Simon Draper

Biography

Simon Draper is a Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford, where he works within the Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Jenner Institute. His research focuses on defining the molecular mechanisms by which human antibodies inhibit malaria parasites, with the goal of translating this knowledge into innovative and effective vaccine candidates. He moved his lab to the Department of Biochemistry in February 2021. Draper's group is dedicated to studying vaccine-induced immunity, with a particular focus on antibody immunology in human malaria infections. The group has a strong dual emphasis on preclinical vaccine development alongside early-phase clinical vaccine testing and experimental medicine studies. Their research interests include improved vaccine antigen identification strategies, development of enhanced vaccine delivery methods, and assessing antibody correlates of protective immunity. To date, the group has conducted 16 proof-of-concept Phase I/II clinical trials, and is actively involved in developing controlled human malaria infection models and testing novel blood-stage malaria vaccine antigens. Simon Draper’s group also collaborates with various biotech and pharmaceutical partners to develop improved vaccines and antibody-based therapeutics.

Research Interests