Rachel Tanner

Rachel Tanner is an Associate Professor and Lecturer in Human Sciences at Wadham College, University of Oxford, with additional appointments as Research Fellow at Wolfson College and Access Officer for the Institute of Human Sciences. Her research focuses on tuberculosis vaccine development through analysis of immune correlates, particularly the humoral response to BCG vaccination and development of functional in vitro assays.

• Education
  • MA in Biological Sciences, University of Oxford
  • DPhil in Clinical Medicine, University of Oxford

Her work addresses critical gaps in TB vaccine development by:

• Identifying humoral immune correlates of protection
• Developing in vitro mycobacterial growth inhibition assays (MGIA) to reduce animal use
• Investigating controlled human infection models
• Exploring non-specific effects of BCG vaccination
• Advancing bovine TB vaccine research

She leads initiatives aligning with the 3Rs principles for animal research.

Notable scientific awards include:

• TBVI Young Scientist Award (2017)
• CTVD Early Career Scientist Award (2018)
• 'Women of the Future' Award for Science (2019)

Current research projects involve:

• Comparative analysis of BCG and MTBVAC vaccines
• Route-specific antibody functionality
• Development of novel TB vaccine candidates
• Standardisation of functional immune assays

She contributes to scientific governance through roles on:

• British Society for Immunology Vaccine Affinity Group
• Acid Fast Club committee
• Oxford University Animal Care and Ethical Review 3Rs subcommittee
• Scientific Reports Editorial Board