Prof. Umberto D'Alessandro joins EVI as Medical Director
The European Vaccine Initiative (EVI) and the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (MRCG at LSHTM) are pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Umberto D’Alessandro as EVI’s new Medical Director, effective 1 September 2026. In his new role at EVI, Professor D’Alessandro will lead the organisation’s clinical trial unit and support the development and delivery of its growing portfolio of clinical research and vaccine development activities.
01 September 2026
Prof. D'Alessandro brings over three decades of malaria research experience across Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia. He began his career as a clinician in Benin and Kenya before moving into malaria research in 1990, when he was involved in evaluating The Gambia’s National Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets Programme. This work contributed to the evidence base supporting the World Health Organization’s recommendation of insecticide-treated nets as a core malaria prevention tool. He subsequently led one of the first phase 3 malaria vaccine trials in sub-Saharan Africa, evaluating the SPf66 vaccine, before heading the Unit of Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases at the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. Professor D’Alessandro returned to the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM in 2011 as Theme Lead for Disease Control and Elimination and became Unit Director in 2014. He served as Director for 12 years, until March 2026. He continues to serve as a Senior Scientist at MRCG at LSHTM, where he leads a research portfolio focused on malaria eradication.
Welcoming him to the role, the Chair of EVI’s Governing Board, Professor Samuel McConkey said: “It is a privilege to welcome Prof. Umberto D’Alessandro to EVI. His leadership, proven track record and extensive experience with clinical trials in resource-poor settings will be critical to consolidate EVI’s expanding portfolio of vaccine development activities”.
Prof. Umberto D'Alessandro brings a combination of clinical and epidemiology experience and research leadership to EVI. Having designed and run large-scale trials, he understands the operational realities of conducting rigorous clinical research in endemic settings. His expertise in malaria and other tropical diseases aligns closely with EVI's long-standing work advancing vaccines to protect women and infants, and he will guide EVI's growing portfolio of clinical studies.
Prof. D'Alessandro said: "I am grateful having been offered this opportunity to work with EVI and I am looking forward to it. I am convinced that my “double position” at the MRCG and EVI will provide great research opportunities for developing new vaccines against neglected diseases of public health importance.
Prof. D'Alessandro succeeds Dr. Sophie Houard, who over a 15-year tenure at EVI led clinical development and helped strengthen the organisation's clinical trial capacity.
"EVI and MRCG at LSHTM look forward to building on their shared commitment to to high-quality clinical research and vaccine development, deepening their partnership.
EVI warmly welcomes Prof. D'Alessandro to the team and looks forward to working with him in advancing the organisation's mission to develop safe, effective and affordable vaccines for global health through collaboration and partnership with disease-endemic countries.
