Mark Nicol

Professor Mark Nicol is a medical microbiologist at the School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western Australia, and holds an honorary position at the University of Cape Town. His research focuses on microbial communities, diagnostics for infections (particularly tuberculosis), and childhood respiratory health. Nicol chairs the WHO Advisory Group for Tuberculosis Diagnostics and contributes to global health policy. His work spans grants from NIH, Gates Foundation, and Wellcome Trust, addressing diagnostics, microbiome impacts, and antimicrobial resistance.

• Affiliations: School of Biomedical Sciences, Centre for Human Lactation Research and Translation, Division of Infection and Immunity
• Key Roles: Chair of WHO Tuberculosis Diagnostics Group, Member of WHO Guideline Development Group
• Grants: Over 22 grants from NHMRC, NIH, Gates Foundation, and Wellcome Trust
• Research Themes: Tuberculosis diagnostics, microbiome studies, childhood infections, and global health equity

Research Interests: His work combines molecular tools to study microbial imbalances and develop diagnostics for poverty-related diseases. Key areas include respiratory infections in children, TB diagnostics, and microbiome roles in early childhood development. Nicol’s research has shaped WHO guidelines and molecular TB testing protocols worldwide.

Articles Trends: Recent works focus on TB diagnostics, microbiome dynamics in infants, and SARS-CoV-2 immunity in children. Studies emphasize global health challenges, diagnostic accuracy, and microbial interactions in respiratory health.

• Grants & Advising: Leads projects on respiratory probiotics, microbiome analysis in HIV patients, and WHO diagnostic stewardship. Supervises PhD students in tuberculosis and microbiology.
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates with global networks on TB diagnostics and microbiome research, including the Drakenstein Child Health Study and BREATHE trial teams.