Group Members

Prof James Stewart

Prof James Stewart

Prof. James Stewart is group leader and holds the established Chair of Molecular Virology at the University of Liverpool. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Infectious Diseases the University of Georgia, Athens, USA and Adjunct Professor at Northwest A&F University, Yangling, China.

Education and Career

2001-                   Chair of Molecular Virology, The University of Liverpool.
1997-2005           Royal Society University Research Fellow, University of Liverpool (2001-2005),
University of Edinburgh (1997-2001)
1995-1997           Senior Postdoctoral Scientist, University of Edinburgh.
1992-1995           Scientific Officer, CRC Paterson Institute for Cancer Research,   Manchester.
1990-1992           Postdoctoral Fellow, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, USA.

Professional Roles

  • Animal Health Trust, Scientific Advisory Board, Member 2017-
  • PLoS ONE, Academic Editor, 2012-
  • International Committee for the Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) Herpesvirales Study Group, 2011 - 
  • BBSRC Institute Assessment Exercise: Panel for the Pirbright Institute, Member, 2016
  • NC3Rs Studentship Panel, 2013--2017
  • Society for General Microbiology (SGM) Virology Division 2013 - 2016
  • Royal Society Newton International Fellowship Panel, 2011- 2013
  • BBSRC Institute Assessment Panel for the Institute of Animal Health – 2011 - 2012
  • BBSRC Institute Strategic Programme Grant Assessment Panel, 2011 - 2012
  • BBSRC Committee A, Core member, 2009 - 2012
  • Journal of General Virology - Member  - Editorial Board  - , 2003 - 2008

@ Liverpool

  • Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), Chair, 2015 -
  • University Biohazards Committee, Chair, -2014 -
  • Co-ordinator, UoA A1 return for Research Excellence Framework 2014
  • Head – School of Infection and Host Defence, 2007 - 2010
  • Co-ordinator for Infection and Immunity return for Research Assessment Exercise 2008.
  • Head – University of Liverpool Centre for Comparative Infectious Diseases, 2003-2009

Contact Details

University of Liverpool
Department of Infection Biology
Liverpool Science Park IC2
146 Brownlow Hill
Liverpool L3 5RF 
Tel: +44 (0)151 795 0221
E-mail:


Current Group Members

The Stewart Group+

Dr Parul Sharma is an immunologist who has recently joined the lab to work on a BBSRC-funded project determining the the function of non-cannonical autophagy or LAP during influenza virus infection.

Dr Jordan Clark is a viral immunologist who has joined the lab recently from the MRC Centre for Virus Research in Glasgow. He is workeing on a BBSRC-funded project determining the function of SPLUNC1/BPIFA1 in the host response and immunity to influenza A virus infection.

Ellie Bentley is a Research Associate who has recently joined the lab to work on a Newton Fund -funded project improving diagnostics and vaccines for poultry viruses in Egypt

Amy Robinson is an MRC DTP-funded PhD student who is studying the interactions of BPIFA1 with cellular and viral proteins and how this affects the host response to infection.

Sanaria Al Katy is studying for a PhD. She is investigating the role of the BPIFA1 in the host defence against respiratory virus infections

Ximeng Han is a visiting scientist from Northwest A&F University, China studying investigating the role of MYHM9 in viral entry into cells

Former Group Members

Ishtar Alethari is a qualified vet who studied for a PhD working on the celleular interactions of the OvHV-2 LANA protein and how these could be used to develop tharapies for MCF. Graduated 2019.

Mohammed Al-Saadi is a qualified Vet who studied for a PhD on role of vasculitis and co-infections in the pathogenesis of malignant catarrhal fever. Graduated 2018.

Peter Quinn studied for a PhD part-time investigating functional foods and the role of omega-3 and other health-promoting additives. Graduated 2018

Momena Khan was a visitng student from Pakistan in 2018 who performed work in the area of avian influenza

Nur Saulol Hamid (Fazila) studeid for a PhD in the area of inflammatory responses in the lung and liver after drug-induced cell injury. Graduated 2016

Dr Nathifa Moyo was in the lab 2013 - 16. She worked on a BBSRC-funded project determining the function of SPLUNC1/BPIFA1 in the host response to virus infection.

Dr Gail Leeming completed her PhD in the lab in 2007, working on the expression of SCGB1A1/CCSP and BPIFA1/SPLUNC1 in the respiratory tract after virus infection. Her thesis is available online. She is now a Lecturer in Veterinary Pathology.

Dashty Amin is a qualified vet who obtained a PhD in the area of ovine herpesvirus 2 (OvHV-2) pathogenesis.

Rita Papoula Pereira is a qualified Vet and studied for a PhD researching the function of MHV-68 M1 in pathogenesis in wood mice.

Bruno Manso studied for a PhD on MHV-68

Vicky Sheridan studied for a PhD on MHV-68

Dr Kevin Cham - 2002-2007: studied for a PhD on MHV-68 ORF73

Dr David Hughes - 2003-2006: studied for a PhD on characterising MHV-68 infecion in wood mice

Dr Elaine Bennett - 2005-2006 - research assistant working on the function of MHV-68 M2

Phil Reilly - 2002-2004 - research assisant working on MHV-68

Helen Cox - 2002-2007 - research assistant working on OvHV-2

Dr Gamini Jayawardane - 2002-2005 - research assistant working on OvHV-2

Dr Ondine Silvia - 1999-2002 - research assistant working on MHV-68 M3 and M1 proteins

Dr Jane Rosbottom - 2000-2003 - studied for a PhD on OvHV-2

Dr Alastair Macrae - 1999-2002 - studied for a PhD on MHV-68 and MHV-76

Dr Madeleine Wakeling - 1998-2001 - studied for a PhD on MHV-68 ORF74

Dr Isobel Atkin - 1997-2000 - studied for a PhD on MHV-68 gp150

Brian Kelly - 1997-1999 - studied for an MSc on EBV and IPF