Robert Heyderman is Professor of Infectious Diseases at University College London. He is an internationally recognised leader in Global Health and Infectious Diseases, pioneering microbial pathogenesis and vaccine evaluation research. His work informs infection management and prevention policy in Malawi, the African Region and globally. He has developed innovative human experimental approaches to understanding the early host-pathogen interactions in meningococcal sepsis, malaria, pneumococcal disease and now COVID19. His expertise in the field of meningitis has been central to the launch of the WHO Road Map for Defeating Meningitis, and working with WHO AFRO, he is leading COVID vaccine evaluation in vulnerable adults.