Stephen Durham

Professor Stephen Durham is the Head of Section for Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the National Heart & Lung Institute (NHLI), part of the Faculty of Medicine at Imperial College London. He is also a Professor of Allergy and Respiratory Medicine at Royal Brompton Hospital. His affiliations include the Immuno-Pathology Network, Inflammation, Repair and Development, and Vaccine Research Network.

Education & Early Career:

• Qualified from Downing College, Cambridge, and Guy's Hospital, London (1976).
• Trained in general and respiratory medicine at Addenbrooke's Hospital (Cambridge), Royal Brompton Hospital, and John Radcliffe/Churchill Hospitals (Oxford).
• Joined NHLI as Senior Lecturer in 1988 and became Reader in Upper Respiratory Medicine before taking his current role in 2004.

Research Focus:

Professor Durham’s work centers on allergic rhinitis, asthma mechanisms, and allergen immunotherapy. He pioneered translational studies on human antigen-specific tolerance, leading to Europe-wide approvals for novel allergy vaccines, including an alum-based grass pollen vaccine and a sublingual grass allergen tablet. His research integrates pharmacodynamic models of allergen challenge in skin, nose, and lung, with a focus on seasonal hayfever and clinical translation.

Awards & Leadership:

• President, British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI).
• Member, Immune Tolerance Network Steering Committee (NIH).
• Former Chair, Research Committee of the World Allergy Organisation.
• Recipient of prestigious lectureships and medals, including the William Frankland Medal for outstanding contributions to clinical allergy.

Publications & Impact:

Authored over 350 peer-reviewed articles and chapters, including the BMJ ABC of Allergies. Editor of three books. Leads international clinical trials advancing allergy treatment standards.

Labs & Collaborations:

His work is anchored in the NHLI’s translational research environment, collaborating with networks like the Vaccine Research Network to bridge basic science and clinical practice.