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The Wales Applied Virology Unit aims to improve patient and public outcomes by integrating basic and translational virology with viral epidemiology and practice.

We launched on 1 April 2025 after receiving £3 million in funding from Health and Care Research Wales.

Aims

The Wales Applied Virology Unit (WAVU) aims to reduce the burden of viral disease through the development and evaluation of intervention and control strategies.

We intend to meet the needs of tomorrow’s patients through the delivery of next-generation advanced therapeutics, from enhanced vaccines to combat infectious disease and cancer, to engineered viral platforms for oncology and genome-editing applications.

This will be achieved using interdisciplinary expertise. comprising basic and translational virology, clinical trials, public health epidemiology, and implementation science, to generate solutions in the field of viral disease, leading to more efficient research and improved care for patients and the public.

Research

Our three research areas are:

Basic virology

  • Understanding which immune responses need to be stimulated to make effective antiviral vaccines and immunotherapies
  • Discovering novel targets for antiviral immunotherapeutics
  • Working out which immunological parameters define viral control, so treatments can be targeted at patients appropriately

Translational virology

  • Basic virology to inform the generation next generation advanced therapeutics
  • Developing new virus-based therapeutics to treat diseases of unmet clinical need
  • Partnering to deliver first in human clinical trials e.g. ATTEST trial

Viral epidemiology and practice

  • Studying incidence and risk factors
  • Understanding patient experience and public perceptions
  • Developing and evaluating interventions to optimise outcomes
  • Innovative study designs to answer questions about efficacy, clinical, and cost-effectiveness

People

Picture of Adam Williams

Adam Williams

Research Associate - Trial Manager

Telephone
+44 29208 79989
Email
WilliamsAD7@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of Alan Parker

Professor Alan Parker

Head of Solid Cancers, Professor of Translational Virology, Director of the Wales Applied Virology Unit and HCRW Senior Research Leader.

Telephone
+44 29225 10231
Email
ParkerAL@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of Andrew Freedman

Dr Andrew Freedman

Honorary Professor

Telephone
+44 29207 43405
Email
Freedman@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of Carly Bliss

Dr Carly Bliss

Lecturer in Cancer Immunology

Email
BlissC@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of David Gillespie

David Gillespie

Principal Research Fellow / Director of Infection, Inflammation & Immunity Trials (Centre for Trials Research) / Co-Director (Wales Applied Virology Unit)

Telephone
+44 29206 87610
Email
GillespieD1@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of Ian Humphreys

Professor Ian Humphreys

Professor of Viral Pathogenesis and Lead Co-Director of Systems Immunity Research Institute

Telephone
+44 29206 87076
Email
HumphreysIR@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of James White

Professor James White

Deputy Director of Population Health and Social Care Trials

Telephone
+44 29206 87054
Email
WhiteJ11@cardiff.ac.uk
Picture of Richard Stanton

Professor Richard Stanton

Professor of Virology, School of Medicine

Telephone
+44 29225 10232
Email
StantonRJ@cardiff.ac.uk

Next steps

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Research that matters

Our research makes a difference to people’s lives as we work across disciplines to tackle major challenges facing society, the economy and our environment.

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Postgraduate research

Our research degrees give the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in depth among field-leading researchers.

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Our research impact

Our research case studies highlight some of the areas where we deliver positive research impact.