Dr David Waterhouse

Research interests

My research interests centre on the application of advanced bioanalytical and quantitative approaches to accelerate drug discovery and development for neglected tropical diseases and other infectious diseases of global health importance. I am particularly interested in integrating high-quality LC–MS/MS bioanalysis with pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modelling to better understand drug exposure–response relationships and inform optimal dosing strategies.

A key focus of my work is the development and application of PK/PD models for frontline antimalarial and anti-tuberculosis regimens, with the aim of improving therapeutic efficacy, minimising toxicity, and reducing the emergence of drug resistance. By combining robust bioanalytical datasets with translational modelling approaches, I seek to bridge preclinical and clinical data, supporting evidence-based decision-making in drug development pipelines.

I am also interested in applying these approaches to complex biological matrices and challenging disease settings, including co-infections and paediatric populations, where variability in drug disposition can significantly impact treatment outcomes. In parallel, I aim to contribute to the development of novel therapeutic modalities, including combination therapies and emerging strategies such as targeted protein degradation.

Through interdisciplinary collaboration with academic, clinical, and industrial partners, my research seeks to deliver practical, scalable solutions that enhance global capacity for infectious disease research and ultimately improve patient outcomes in resource-limited settings.

Biography

Post-Doctoral Research Associate
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
Jun 2023 – Present
Support the operation of the bioanalytical suite, developing, validating, and implementing LC–MS/MS methods in line with regulatory guidelines. Lead bioanalytical activities across international drug discovery programmes, including the A·WOL consortium.

Senior Bio-scientist
Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, University of Manchester, Alderley Park, UK
Oct 2021 – Nov 2022
Oversaw the Drug Discovery Unit bioanalytical facility, leading method development for small molecules and emerging modalities (e.g. PROTACs). Performed drug disposition and preclinical screening assays.

Analytical Chemist
LivFul Innovations Ltd, Sci-Tech Daresbury Campus, UK
Feb 2021 – Oct 2021
Established the analytical facility and developed/validated methods in line with ICH Q2 within an ISO 9001 framework, supporting GLP/GMP-aligned R&D.

Research Assistant
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool, UK
Mar 2007 – Dec 2019
Conducted bioanalytical research supporting infectious disease programmes, developing expertise in sample preparation and LC–MS/MS analysis across a range of biological matrices.

Environmental Chemist
Archimica, Flintshire, UK
Mar 2006 – Mar 2007

Production Chemist
Applied Biosystems, Warrington, UK
Sep 2005 – Jan 2006

Selected research publications

Biochemical characterisation and substrate-specific proteolytic diversity of venom metalloproteinases in African puff adders – Journal: Toxicon: X – Published: 16th March 2026

Human Direct Skin Feeding versus Membrane Feeding to Assess the Mosquitocidal Efficacy of High-Dose Ivermectin (IVERMAL Trial) – Journal: Clinical Infectious Diseases – Published: 1st October 2019

Intra-individual effects of food upon the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin and isoniazid. – Journal: Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Published: 1st February 2019

Pharmacokinetics-Pharmacodynamics of High-Dose Ivermectin with Dihydroartemisinin-Piperaquine on Mosquitocidal Activity and QT-prolongation (IVERMAL) – Journal: Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics – Published: 1st February 2019

Safety and mosquitocidal efficacy of high-dose ivermectin when co-administered with dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine in Kenyan adults with uncomplicated malaria (IVERMAL): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial – Journal: The Lancet Infectious Diseases – Published: 1st June 2018

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