In his new role at EVI, Professor D’Alessandro will lead the organisation’s clinical trial unit and support the development and delivery of its growing portfolio of clinical research and vaccine development activities. 

Professor D’Alessandro brings more than three decades of experience in malaria research, clinical research and epidemiology across Africa, Europe, South America and Asia. He began his career as a clinician in Benin and Kenya before moving into malaria research in 1990, when he was involved in evaluating The Gambia’s National Insecticide-Treated Bed Nets Programme. This work contributed to the evidence base supporting the World Health Organization’s recommendation of insecticide-treated nets as a core malaria prevention tool. 

He subsequently led one of the first phase 3 malaria vaccine trials in sub-Saharan Africa, evaluating the SPf66 vaccine, before heading the Unit of Epidemiology and Control of Parasitic Diseases at the Prince Leopold Institute of Tropical Medicine. 

Professor D’Alessandro returned to the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia at LSHTM in 2011 as Theme Lead for Disease Control and Elimination and became Unit Director in 2014. He served as Director for 12 years, until March 2026, providing strategic leadership during a period of significant growth and development in the Unit’s research portfolio and partnerships. 

He continues to serve as a Senior Scientist at MRCG at LSHTM, where he leads a research portfolio focused on malaria eradication. 

His appointment as EVI Medical Director provides an opportunity to build on his long-standing links with MRCG and to strengthen collaboration between the two organisations, particularly in clinical research, vaccine development and research addressing diseases of public health importance in endemic settings. 

Professor Ed Clarke, Director of MRCG at LSHTM, said: “I am excited to wholeheartedly support Umberto in this new prestigious role as Medical Director at the European Vaccines Initiative (50% secondment). I know he also remains fully committed to the Unit and we hope this additional link with the EVI may open new opportunities for us as well.  Wishing Umberto great success.” 

Welcoming him to the role, the Chair of EVI’s Governing Board, Professor Samuel McConkey said: “It is a privilege to welcome Prof. Umberto D’Alessandro to EVI. His leadership, proven track record and extensive experience with clinical trials in resource-poor settings will be critical to consolidate EVI’s expanding portfolio of vaccine development activities” 

Prof. Umberto D'Alessandro brings a combination of clinical and epidemiology experience and research leadership to EVI. Having designed and run large-scale trials, he understands the operational realities of conducting rigorous clinical research in endemic settings. His expertise in malaria and other tropical diseases aligns closely with EVI's long-standing work advancing vaccines to protect women and infants, and he will guide EVI's growing portfolio of clinical studies.  

Prof. D'Alessandro said: "I am grateful having been offered this opportunity to work with EVI and I am looking forward to it.  I am convinced that my “double position” at the MRCG and EVI will provide great research opportunities for developing new vaccines against neglected diseases of public health importance.”  

Prof. D'Alessandro succeeds Dr. Sophie Houard, who over a 15-year tenure at EVI led clinical development and helped strengthen the organisation's clinical trial capacity. 

EVI and MRCG at LSHTM look forward to building on their shared commitment to high-quality clinical research and vaccine development and to strengthening collaboration that contributes to the development of safe, effective and affordable interventions for diseases affecting populations in endemic countries.