Calman A. MacLennan

Calman A. MacLennan is Professor of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Birmingham's Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Jenner Investigator and Group Leader of the Gonococcal Vaccine Project at the Jenner Institute, Director of BactiVac (the global Bacterial Vaccines Network), Consultant Immunologist at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Senior Program Officer for Bacterial Vaccines at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

His educational background includes BM, BCh, and DPhil degrees. As a clinician scientist with 25 years of experience, he focuses on immunological mechanisms against bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), with emphasis on developing vaccines for gonorrhea, Salmonella, Shigella, and meningococcal diseases. His research integrates laboratory science, clinical trials, and epidemiological studies across Africa and Europe.

MacLennan's publication trends reveal sustained leadership in bacterial vaccine development, particularly in outer membrane vesicle (nOMV) and glycoconjugate technologies. His work spans fundamental immunology (correlates of protection, antibody responses), clinical applications (HIV co-infections, pediatric disease), and global health implementation (vaccine pipelines, AMR countermeasures). Recent articles emphasize cross-platform comparisons, African disease burden, and innovative vaccine design against antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Scientific recognition includes:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (FRCP)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists (FRCPath)

His grant portfolio includes leadership of the Gonococcal Vaccine Project (using nOMV technology against Neisseria gonorrhoeae) and direction of BactiVac – a worldwide network accelerating bacterial vaccine development against AMR. Collaborative grants span the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UKRI, and African research consortia, focusing on typhoid, invasive nontyphoidal Salmonella, and Shigella.

MacLennan leads the Jenner Institute's Gonococcal Vaccine Project team and coordinates BactiVac's international network of 400+ researchers across 40 countries. His labs employ multidisciplinary approaches including immunological profiling, bacterial genetics, and clinical trial design, with strong partnerships in Malawi and other African nations for field implementation.