LDC FUNDING FOR RESEARCH ACTIVE STAFF NETWORKS
APPLICATION FORM
PART A
Details:
Name: Dr Daniel Mitchell
Job Title: Associate Professor of Immunology
Staff No: 0483251
Department/Centre/Unit/Faculty: Warwick Medical School, Division of Metabolic & Vascular
Health
Departmental Administrator (name): Prof Victor Zammit
Purpose / Objective of the Research Staff Network:
To strengthen links between scientists from across the University of Warwick with laboratoryintensive researchers at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), explore potential for
new funding initiatives and develop novel research projects between the two Institutions.
Details of the Skills/ Development Activity(ies) (Max 500 words):
Warwick Medical School is very much in a state of growth in both size and scope. The recent
establishment of the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Disease has launched new directions
in the development of the School and its research efforts relating to major global health risks
caused by microbial pathogens and understanding the dynamics and characteristics of infectious
diseases at the molecular level. In addition, formal partnership with LSTM has led to strong
developments in areas of Public Health involvement at overseas stations, notably in Malawi.
Focus on molecular infectious disease is thus very young at WMS, and so too is molecular
immunology – a research discipline that works very closely with infectious disease research. In
addition to expertise in Public Health, LSTM also possesses a large laboratory base with extensive
skills in molecular immunology, genetics, biochemistry, parasitology, microscopy & imaging,
enzymology and bioinformatics. These skill bases would integrate extremely well with those
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
present at Warwick cross-Campus, including molecular physiology, metagenomics, mathematics &
systems modelling, mass spectrometry, polymer chemistry, glycobiology and biophysics.
The purpose of the proposed Network is to facilitate the realisation of synergistic potential that
could be brought about through sharing these rich pools of expertise.
The primary Development Activity will be the hosting of an Event at Warwick that will involve
Research Staff at all levels from both Warwick and LSTM. The Event will consist of a series of short
seminars and ample opportunity for the delegates to become acquainted and discuss scientific
topics of mutual and overlapping interest. We anticipate the participation of around 15 Facultylevel staff from LSTM and a larger contingent from Warwick, drawn from WMS, Life Sciences,
Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and WMG. There will be ample opportunity also to engage
additional Warwick research communities such as the MOAC doctoral training centres and the GRP
Networks.
In addition to seminars and networking time, sessions will also be arranged to discuss funding
opportunities that could arise from partnered projects and also illustrate the range of analytical
scientific equipment and associated skills available within Warwick and LSTM that could support
strong and competitive research.
Furthermore, given the orthogonal scope of laboratory scientific research interests at Warwick
(Microbiology, Virology, Biophysics, Materials) and LSTM (Parasitology, Cellular Immunology,
Immunochemistry) we strongly anticipate the opportunity to develop novel projects and research
thrusts in areas such as Immunological and Experimental Medicine, Biomaterials, and Medical
Structural Biology. Such areas are highly pertinent to funding bodies such as the MRC, BBSRC,
Wellcome Trust and British Heart Foundation.
Where possible, we would like to arrange a reciprocal Event at LSTM, with opportunities for
Warwick staff to see the LSTM laboratory facilities and meet other LSTM staff. Initially, this will
involve a smaller follow-up meeting in Liverpool involving a select group of Warwick staff
(anticipated schedule, late June 2014).
Date of your activity/event(s), if known: estimated May 2014
If you have a website, please give the URL:
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
Dan Mitchell (Warwick) URL – http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/med/staff/dan_mitchell/
Richard Pleass (LSTM) URL - http://www.lstmliverpool.ac.uk/research/departments/staffprofiles/richard-pleass/
A formal website or Trello Noticeboard will be established for this Event and distributed amongst
interested parties.
Please state which events will be open to other University of Warwick research staff:
All proposed Events
Is this a new network or existing network?
New Network
Scope/ Evaluation / Impact of activity(ies) proposed
(Please give us an estimate of the numbers of staff who will be involved and an indication of how you will measure the impact of the
activity/activities. If you intend to follow up the activity by disseminating information, or using the outcomes to support other staff
development activities, please also let us know this)
We anticipate 15 LSTM staff and 30 Warwick staff involved in the Event.
Impact will be measured in the short term via participant questionnaire (to be completed
and submitted at the end of the Event); and long term via indicators such as joint
publications, joint funding applications and jointly-supervised projects (including PhD
studentships) between Warwick and LSTM.
The Event has received support from Professor Alison Rodger, Director of MOAC, and the
MOAC Centre will serve as the Event venue. The MOAC Centre has excellent facilities for
scientific presentations and a social area for networking over buffet food and drinks. It is
also a superb crucible for scientific learning with a very high level of graduate student
participation and gateways into all of the Natural Sciences Departments within the
University of Warwick.
The Event is expected to lead to indicators of Impact such as joint peer-reviewed
publications between Warwick and LSTM, in addition to joint funding applications (e.g. to
the MRC Infections and Immunity Board) to continue research work. Further Impact
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
Indicators will include joint PhD projects that could be offered between LSTM and
Warwick – and advice will be sought from the MOAC Director in this area.
How do you plan to let research staff know about your events/meetings?
Dissemination will be achieved via the LDC e-newsletter and website for Research Active Staff in
addition to Departmental and University Notice Boards (e.g. wmscomms and inbox insite) also via
the MOAC, Life Sceinces, UHCW and GRP Network distribution lists.
The Event will also be advertised via lines of communication at LSTM, such as their weekly
Departmental Newsletter.
How do you plan to share the learning / best practice with other University of Warwick Research Staff
Networks?
Details of the Event and summaries/Powerpoint files of the presentations will be made available
via the Organisers and dedicated Noticeboards.
The Organisers will prepare a Case Study document outlining the Learning and Best Practice
activities conducted and experienced during the Event and subsequent Network Activities. This will
include a list of tips and recommendations to assist and support others that may wish to set up
similar Events and Network Sessions of this kind.
The Organisers will also be available to give presentations to Warwick and LSTM colleagues to talk
about the Network experience at a downstream Practice Sharing Event.
What is the benefit of your activity/activities to:

The University
- rapid broadening of the research portfolio and capability cross-Campus in the fields of
molecular immunology and infectious disease research with concomitant development of
new funding proposal strategies and interdisciplinary high-impact publication potential

Your department/organisation
- enhancement of research skills and technical capability within fields of extremely
important medical interest with subsequent widening of future funding opportunities and
publication output
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013

Research agenda
- strengthening of research scope & competitiveness and greater accessibility to particular
sources of research funding (e.g. the UK Government Department for International
Development, Wellcome Trust). Enhancement of research schemes such as PhD
studentships and postgraduate training centres.
Total amount of funding requested:
£ 1000
Breakdown of funding requested (approximate):
£ 700 – transport (Minibus transport to and from Coventry for LSTM delegation and limited
Coventry-Liverpool transport for follow-up meeting with select Warwick group)
£ 300 – catering (coffee and lunch for participants at the Event)
*Signature of Applicant: …………………………………………………………. Date: ……24th Feb 2014………...
Head of Department’s signature:
Head of Department:
**Signed:
…Professor Victor Zammit…………………………………………………
(please print)
……………………………………………….…………….…
Date: … 24th Feb 2014……...
Please send your completed form either in hard copy or electronically to Sandy Sparks
(Sandy.Sparks@warwick.ac.uk) in the Learning and Development Centre, University House.
If you have any queries, please contact Sandy to discuss (either via email at the above address or on
extn 74121).
*You can either sign a hardcopy, scan in your signature or email the application which will be taken as your signature.
**Your HOD can either sign a hardcopy, scan in their signature or send an email to Sandy Sparks stating they support your
application.
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
Approved by: ……………………………………………………..……..….
(for LDC use)
Date: …………………………….
Amount approved: £………………………………………….……………
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
PART B
Report:
Funding awards are conditional upon a report being produced after the event or activity which
reflects on the value and impact of the activity in order to share best practice. We ask you to do this
by completing Part B of this form within 2 weeks of the event or by 31 July 2014 for a series of
events. (Please note that funding may be retracted where reports are not produced).
Please tell us:
How you felt the event/activity went:
The Event and subsequent activities went very well and contact directly related to the proceedings
are ongoing (see accompanying Report)
How many research staff were involved in
a) the organisational process: 3 Warwick staff; 3 Liverpool staff
and
b) presenting at the event itself: 15
How it has contributed to the Department/ University/ Research Agenda:
The Event has deepened links between Warwick and LSTM through involvement of newly recruited
WMS staff in addition to involvement of the Chemistry Department. A joint research manuscript has
been submitted for publication and is currently under review. The resulting networks that are
developing subsequent to the Event introduce a wider research area to Warwick, via access to
expertise and facilities in tropical medicine, cellular immunology and drug discovery. Furthermore,
novel funding opportunities such as the Gates Foundation are being considered.
What has been learnt:
Principally, it has been learnt that there are considerable areas of overlap between research
strengths at Warwick and LSTM, with potential for joint ventures.
What would be done differently next time:
Things got moving at a challenging time of year, with major academic distractions such as exam
setting/marking, exam boards and a busy period for research conferences occurring the
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013
May/June/July. This meant fewer staff than planned were able to attend. Late autumn would be a
better time to begin the plans.
Impact/results/benefits:
Greater research diversity and opportunities for Warwick/proof that Warwick and LSTM have
potential combined capacity and good collegiality/mutual ventures in both research and
postgraduate teaching.
Budget (provide breakdown of amounts spent):
£ 69.50 (Travel + subsistence)
£ 491.40 (Catering)
£
*Signature of Applicant: ……
……
Date: …23/07/2014……….
Please send your completed report either in hard copy or electronically to Sandy Sparks
(Sandy.Sparks@warwick.ac.uk) in the Learning and Development Centre, University House.
*You can either sign a hardcopy, scan in your signature or email the report which will be taken as your signature.
Report received (date): ………………………………..
(for LDC use)
Sandy Sparks, LDC
Amount spent: £ ……560.90……
Research Active Staff Network Funding
August 2013