The Global Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. Michael's work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
About Michael
My focus is on viral-vector vaccine design principles aimed at enabling durable protection against infectious diseases, drawing on experience across emerging-pathogen research, pandemic-response antiviral evaluation and translational livestock-vaccine programmes.
I work at the intersection of immunology, virology and translational vaccine development, developing herpesvirus-based vaccine platforms capable of protecting against high-impact livestock pathogens. A central theme of my research is overcoming maternal-antibody interference and durability limitations that constrain conventional vaccination strategies.
As Professor of Virology and Immunology at the University of Plymouth, and Technical Founder and Chief Scientific Officer of The Vaccine Group, a University of Plymouth spinout, I lead the translation of platform science towards deployable livestock vaccines through academic–industry collaboration. My work draws on experience in DARPA-funded emerging-pathogen research, commercial vaccine development and pandemic-response studies evaluating antiviral strategies against high-consequence viral infections.
Current programmes focus on bovine respiratory disease and other high-impact livestock pathogens, advancing scalable vaccination strategies designed to reduce disease burden, limit pathogen transmission and support responsible antimicrobial stewardship.
My broader interest lies in scalable interventions for infectious-disease control – from parenteral viral-vector vaccines to future transmission-enabled approaches – aimed at protecting animal populations that are difficult to reach through conventional vaccination programmes.
H-index: 42 with 8,420 citations (Google Scholar, 1 November 2026).
Teaching
Although most of my time is focused on research and enterprise, I contribute specialist teaching in virology and immunology and supervise postgraduate research. I use examples drawn from emerging-pathogen research, antiviral evaluation and vaccine development to connect fundamental scientific principles with their practical application.
My experience as part of the NIH SARS-CoV-2 research response at Rocky Mountain Laboratories provides a particularly valuable case study in the rapid translation of laboratory science during a public-health emergency. Through The Vaccine Group, I also support the professional development of graduates and early-career scientists by exposing them to the scientific, regulatory and commercial considerations involved in translating vaccine research.
Across my teaching and supervision, I aim to encourage scientific curiosity, critical thinking, interdisciplinary collaboration and the responsible translation of research into practical benefit.
Research Students (current)
2023 – present
Zsofia (Sophie) Tauber. PhD in Biomedical Sciences, UoP, UK (Co-Supervisor)
2022 – present
Sarah Bastyans. PhD in Biomedical Sciences, UoP, UK (Co-Supervisor)
2022 – present
Haris Malik. PhD in Virology, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, UK (Co-Supervisor)
Postdoctoral Fellow (completed)
2012 – 2020
Dr Aisling Murphy, PhD. (Current: Medical Student at Peninsula Medical School, Plymouth, UK)
Research Students (completed)
2019 – 2022
Frederick Hansen. NIH Post-Baccalaureate, NIAID, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, MT, USA (Co-Supervisor). (Current: Medical Student at University of New Mexico Medical School, NM, USA)
2017 – 2021
Dr Oliver Rupar, MD, PhD. PhD in Medical Sciences, UoP, UK (Co-Supervisor) (Current: Honorary Clinical Fellow, Univ. Dundee, UK)
2014 – 2020
Dr Hujaz Alqirbi, PhD. PhD in Biomedical Sciences, UoP, UK (Director of Studies, DoS) (Current: Lecturer, Dept. Microbiology, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, Univ. Baghdad, Iraq)
2017 – 2019
Thekla Mauch. ResM in Biomedical Sciences, UoP, UK (DoS) (Current: PhD Student in Medical Sciences, UoP, UK)
2013 – 2017
Dr Shirin HamaSalih, PhD. PhD in Biomedical Sciences, UoP, UK (DoS) (Current: Dept. Clinical Biochemistry, Hawler Medical Univ. Kurdistand, Iraq).
Contact Michael
