Posted on: 8 July 2025
CNWL-UCL Infection and Sexual Health researchers were awarded the Best Stall at University College of London Hospital’s (UCLH) Research Open Day, recognising their innovative contributions to research on sexually transmitted infections (STI), antimicrobial resistance, and vaccine development.
The team—Ebun Taiwo, Florence Bascombe, Philip Oddie, Joy Song, Manik Kohli, Maeve Barlow, Brittney Prusty, and Dierdre Sally—presented one of the standout stalls featuring interactive elements, including the opportunity for a full body scan. They highlighted two key studies: the MSM Carriage Study, which explores the dynamics of neisseria gonorrhoeae transmission and the development of antibiotic resistance; and TrepomAb, a project aimed at accelerating vaccine development for syphilis.
The award was presented by Baroness Julia Neuberger, Chair of UCLH, and Dr Nick McNally, UCLH’s Managing Director of Research.
Mortimer Market Centre, part of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL), offers free and confidential sexual health services, this includes contraception, PrEP assessment and treatment of sexual health symptoms and infections. The service is a national leader in research for sexual health and infections.
The UCLH Research Open Day marked a successful return following a pause, and took place on 3 July. The event featured 50 interactive stalls led by research and clinical teams, covering a broad spectrum of healthcare topics—from cancer, imaging, and dementia to mental health, fetal medicine, and robotics.
Open to the public, the day provided opportunities for patients, staff, and students to engage with cutting-edge research through hands-on demonstrations, guided hospital tours, and talks for local schools, designed to engage and inspire.