Tomas Hanke | HIV Vaccines | Best Researcher Award Published on 31/07/202531/07/2025 by World Top Scientists Prof. Tomas Hanke | HIV Vaccines | Best Researcher Award Professor at University of Oxford, United Kingdom Professor Tomáš Hanke is a globally recognized leader in HIV vaccine research with over 30 years of experience in developing T-cell-based immunization strategies. Currently serving as Professor of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford and a Jenner Investigator, his work focuses on designing cross-clade HIV-1 vaccines to target diverse global variants and immune escape pathways. He has led numerous international clinical trials and secured substantial funding from prestigious organizations including the NIH, MRC, and the European Commission. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 69, his scientific impact is significant. Professor Hanke’s commitment extends beyond research through global collaborations and capacity-building programs in Africa and Asia. His contributions have been recognized with awards such as the European Hector Research Award for HIV Therapy. He also held a part-time Distinguished Professorship in Japan, reflecting his international academic standing. His work continues to shape the global HIV vaccine landscape. Professional Profile Google Scholar Scopus Profile ORCID Profile Education Professor Tomáš Hanke began his academic journey at Charles University in Czechoslovakia, studying Chemistry under an Individual Study Plan before immigrating to Canada as a political refugee. He continued his studies at McMaster University, earning a B.Sc. (Honours) in Biochemistry followed by an M.Sc. focused on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 immunology. His postgraduate work laid the groundwork for his future in vaccine immunology. He later pursued a Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he conducted pioneering research on HIV-1 vaccines using non-human primate models. This academic trajectory reflects a steady and deepening commitment to immunology and infectious disease research, bridging foundational biochemistry with applied virology. His diverse academic background, international training, and early focus on translational immunological research equipped him with the skills and vision necessary to lead a career at the forefront of HIV vaccine development. Experience Professor Hanke’s professional career spans over three decades and includes numerous prestigious academic and research positions. He began as a Research Assistant at the University of St Andrews before joining the University of Oxford in 1994, where he held a series of increasingly senior roles including MRC Career Scientist, Research Lecturer, and Reader in Immunology. Since 2010, he has served as Professor in Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford and, since 2011, as Principal Investigator at the Jenner Institute. Additionally, he held a concurrent position as Distinguished Professor at Kumamoto University in Japan from 2015 to 2023. These appointments reflect both his leadership in vaccine research and his global academic presence. Throughout his career, Professor Hanke has contributed to the development and testing of novel HIV-1 vaccines, overseeing a large international research team and building research infrastructure across multiple continents. His career reflects not only depth in science but also global collaboration and capacity-building. Research Focus on HIV Vaccines Professor Hanke’s research is centered on the development of T-cell-based vaccines against HIV-1, with a particular focus on inducing cross-clade immunity that can target conserved regions of the virus. His work addresses the challenge of HIV’s genetic diversity by designing vaccines that elicit strong killer T-cell responses capable of recognizing and attacking multiple variants of the virus. This innovative strategy underpins several experimental vaccine platforms currently in human trials. His research integrates iterative preclinical testing with experimental medicine studies conducted across diverse international populations. He also explores vaccine combination therapies involving broadly neutralizing antibodies and immune modulators. Beyond HIV, his methodologies are being extended to other viral pathogens, such as sarbecoviruses. His work is characterized by a strong translational element—turning fundamental immunological principles into clinical applications. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to global health through collaborative trials and research capacity building in Africa and Asia, reinforcing the real-world impact of his scientific efforts. Award and Honor Professor Tomáš Hanke’s contributions to immunology and vaccine research have earned him numerous recognitions and funding awards. Among his most prestigious honors is the 2023 European Hector Research Award for HIV Therapy, which underscores his leadership in advancing therapeutic vaccine approaches. Over the past decade, he has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on major international projects funded by agencies such as the NIH, MRC, EDCTP, and the European Commission. These projects have supported groundbreaking clinical trials, GMP vaccine manufacturing, and global capacity-building initiatives. His work has also attracted charitable support, including recurring donations from Fondation Dormeur, reflecting trust in his research direction. Beyond formal awards, his academic appointments, leadership of multicenter trials, and prolific publication record further attest to his impact and recognition in the field. His achievements represent a career defined by scientific rigor, translational success, and a long-standing commitment to improving public health through vaccine innovation. Publications Top Notes Title: Exploitation of Unconventional CD8 T-Cell Responses Induced by Engineered Cytomegaloviruses for the Development of an HIV-1 VaccineAuthors: Joseph Bruton, Tomáš HankeYear: 2025 Title: PD-1 blockade enhances HIV-1 vaccine-induced CD8⁺ T-cell responses in PWH early ART-treatedAuthors: Miguel Marin, Alba Ruiz, Esther Jimenez-Moyano, Dan Ouchi, Oscar Blanch-Lombarte, Ruth Peña, Dan Gorman, Richard Barnard, Tomas Hanke, Bonaventura Clotet et al.Year: 2024 Title: Therapeutic vaccination following early antiretroviral therapy elicits highly functional T cell responses against conserved HIV-1 regionsAuthors: Jakub Kopycinski, Hongbing Yang, Gemma Hancock, Matthew Pace, Ellen Kim, John Frater, Wolfgang Stöhr, Tomás Hanke, Sarah Fidler, Lucy DorrellYear: 2023Citations: 10+ Title: Long-term follow up of human T-cell responses to conserved HIV-1 regions elicited by DNA/simian adenovirus/MVA vaccine regimensAuthors: Nathifa Moyo, Douglas F. Nixon, Nicola J. Borthwick, Edmund G. Wee, Silvia Capucci, Alison Crook, Lucy Dorrell, Tomáš HankeYear: 2017Citations: 70+ Conclusion Professor Tomáš Hanke stands out as a world leader in the field of vaccine immunology, with a career deeply rooted in innovation, international collaboration, and public health impact. From his early academic years as a political refugee to his current role at the University of Oxford, he has consistently demonstrated scientific excellence and resilience. His focused yet far-reaching work on HIV-1 T-cell vaccines addresses one of the most challenging viruses of our time and bridges the gap between bench science and clinical application. With over 200 publications, decades of funded research, and involvement in numerous global trials, he exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier biomedical researcher. His influence extends not only through science but also through the networks and capacities he has helped build in developing regions. Professor Hanke’s career continues to shape the future of infectious disease research and serves as a model of dedication, leadership, and global impact in academic medicine.
Professor Tomáš Hanke is a globally recognized leader in HIV vaccine research with over 30 years of experience in developing T-cell-based immunization strategies. Currently serving as Professor of Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford and a Jenner Investigator, his work focuses on designing cross-clade HIV-1 vaccines to target diverse global variants and immune escape pathways. He has led numerous international clinical trials and secured substantial funding from prestigious organizations including the NIH, MRC, and the European Commission. With over 200 peer-reviewed publications and an H-index of 69, his scientific impact is significant. Professor Hanke’s commitment extends beyond research through global collaborations and capacity-building programs in Africa and Asia. His contributions have been recognized with awards such as the European Hector Research Award for HIV Therapy. He also held a part-time Distinguished Professorship in Japan, reflecting his international academic standing. His work continues to shape the global HIV vaccine landscape. Professional Profile Google Scholar Scopus Profile ORCID Profile Education Professor Tomáš Hanke began his academic journey at Charles University in Czechoslovakia, studying Chemistry under an Individual Study Plan before immigrating to Canada as a political refugee. He continued his studies at McMaster University, earning a B.Sc. (Honours) in Biochemistry followed by an M.Sc. focused on Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 immunology. His postgraduate work laid the groundwork for his future in vaccine immunology. He later pursued a Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews in Scotland, where he conducted pioneering research on HIV-1 vaccines using non-human primate models. This academic trajectory reflects a steady and deepening commitment to immunology and infectious disease research, bridging foundational biochemistry with applied virology. His diverse academic background, international training, and early focus on translational immunological research equipped him with the skills and vision necessary to lead a career at the forefront of HIV vaccine development. Experience Professor Hanke’s professional career spans over three decades and includes numerous prestigious academic and research positions. He began as a Research Assistant at the University of St Andrews before joining the University of Oxford in 1994, where he held a series of increasingly senior roles including MRC Career Scientist, Research Lecturer, and Reader in Immunology. Since 2010, he has served as Professor in Vaccine Immunology at the University of Oxford and, since 2011, as Principal Investigator at the Jenner Institute. Additionally, he held a concurrent position as Distinguished Professor at Kumamoto University in Japan from 2015 to 2023. These appointments reflect both his leadership in vaccine research and his global academic presence. Throughout his career, Professor Hanke has contributed to the development and testing of novel HIV-1 vaccines, overseeing a large international research team and building research infrastructure across multiple continents. His career reflects not only depth in science but also global collaboration and capacity-building. Research Focus on HIV Vaccines Professor Hanke’s research is centered on the development of T-cell-based vaccines against HIV-1, with a particular focus on inducing cross-clade immunity that can target conserved regions of the virus. His work addresses the challenge of HIV’s genetic diversity by designing vaccines that elicit strong killer T-cell responses capable of recognizing and attacking multiple variants of the virus. This innovative strategy underpins several experimental vaccine platforms currently in human trials. His research integrates iterative preclinical testing with experimental medicine studies conducted across diverse international populations. He also explores vaccine combination therapies involving broadly neutralizing antibodies and immune modulators. Beyond HIV, his methodologies are being extended to other viral pathogens, such as sarbecoviruses. His work is characterized by a strong translational element—turning fundamental immunological principles into clinical applications. Additionally, he has contributed significantly to global health through collaborative trials and research capacity building in Africa and Asia, reinforcing the real-world impact of his scientific efforts. Award and Honor Professor Tomáš Hanke’s contributions to immunology and vaccine research have earned him numerous recognitions and funding awards. Among his most prestigious honors is the 2023 European Hector Research Award for HIV Therapy, which underscores his leadership in advancing therapeutic vaccine approaches. Over the past decade, he has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on major international projects funded by agencies such as the NIH, MRC, EDCTP, and the European Commission. These projects have supported groundbreaking clinical trials, GMP vaccine manufacturing, and global capacity-building initiatives. His work has also attracted charitable support, including recurring donations from Fondation Dormeur, reflecting trust in his research direction. Beyond formal awards, his academic appointments, leadership of multicenter trials, and prolific publication record further attest to his impact and recognition in the field. His achievements represent a career defined by scientific rigor, translational success, and a long-standing commitment to improving public health through vaccine innovation. Publications Top Notes Title: Exploitation of Unconventional CD8 T-Cell Responses Induced by Engineered Cytomegaloviruses for the Development of an HIV-1 VaccineAuthors: Joseph Bruton, Tomáš HankeYear: 2025 Title: PD-1 blockade enhances HIV-1 vaccine-induced CD8⁺ T-cell responses in PWH early ART-treatedAuthors: Miguel Marin, Alba Ruiz, Esther Jimenez-Moyano, Dan Ouchi, Oscar Blanch-Lombarte, Ruth Peña, Dan Gorman, Richard Barnard, Tomas Hanke, Bonaventura Clotet et al.Year: 2024 Title: Therapeutic vaccination following early antiretroviral therapy elicits highly functional T cell responses against conserved HIV-1 regionsAuthors: Jakub Kopycinski, Hongbing Yang, Gemma Hancock, Matthew Pace, Ellen Kim, John Frater, Wolfgang Stöhr, Tomás Hanke, Sarah Fidler, Lucy DorrellYear: 2023Citations: 10+ Title: Long-term follow up of human T-cell responses to conserved HIV-1 regions elicited by DNA/simian adenovirus/MVA vaccine regimensAuthors: Nathifa Moyo, Douglas F. Nixon, Nicola J. Borthwick, Edmund G. Wee, Silvia Capucci, Alison Crook, Lucy Dorrell, Tomáš HankeYear: 2017Citations: 70+ Conclusion Professor Tomáš Hanke stands out as a world leader in the field of vaccine immunology, with a career deeply rooted in innovation, international collaboration, and public health impact. From his early academic years as a political refugee to his current role at the University of Oxford, he has consistently demonstrated scientific excellence and resilience. His focused yet far-reaching work on HIV-1 T-cell vaccines addresses one of the most challenging viruses of our time and bridges the gap between bench science and clinical application. With over 200 publications, decades of funded research, and involvement in numerous global trials, he exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier biomedical researcher. His influence extends not only through science but also through the networks and capacities he has helped build in developing regions. Professor Hanke’s career continues to shape the future of infectious disease research and serves as a model of dedication, leadership, and global impact in academic medicine.
Professor Tomáš Hanke stands out as a world leader in the field of vaccine immunology, with a career deeply rooted in innovation, international collaboration, and public health impact. From his early academic years as a political refugee to his current role at the University of Oxford, he has consistently demonstrated scientific excellence and resilience. His focused yet far-reaching work on HIV-1 T-cell vaccines addresses one of the most challenging viruses of our time and bridges the gap between bench science and clinical application. With over 200 publications, decades of funded research, and involvement in numerous global trials, he exemplifies the qualities of a top-tier biomedical researcher. His influence extends not only through science but also through the networks and capacities he has helped build in developing regions. Professor Hanke’s career continues to shape the future of infectious disease research and serves as a model of dedication, leadership, and global impact in academic medicine.