Dr Sophie Owen

Biography

Dr Sophie Owen is a Lecturer at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and a translational diagnostics specialist with extensive experience in global health innovation. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between research, industry, and implementation, with a strong emphasis on delivering impactful diagnostic solutions in resource-limited settings.

Prior to her academic appointment, Dr Owen held a role at Global Access Diagnostics (GADx), where she led regulatory, clinical, and partnership activities for multiple diagnostic development programmes in an ISO 13485-certified environment. Her work included the successful reintroduction of a visceral leishmaniasis rapid diagnostic test to market and the development of new rapid diagnostic tests for emerging infectious diseases. 

Dr Owen completed her PhD in Tropical Medicine at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine through a Medical Research Council-funded doctoral training programme. Her doctoral research centred on the development and evaluation of diagnostics for visceral leishmaniasis, particularly in people living with HIV and individuals with asymptomatic infection.

She has worked closely with international partners including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND), contributing to diagnostic evaluations in endemic regions such as India and Bangladesh.

Dr Owen has a strong publication record in infectious disease diagnostics and has contributed to major international research collaborations addressing diseases such as COVID-19 and leishmaniasis.

Research interests

My research focuses on the development and evaluation of diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases, particularly in low-resource and endemic settings. I am especially interested in point-of-care and point-of-need diagnostics that can improve access to timely and accurate diagnoses in underserved populations.

I work at the interface of academia, industry, and global health organisations to translate innovations into real-world impact. This includes designing and conducting clinical evaluations, navigating regulatory pathways, and ensuring that diagnostics are fit for purpose within the contexts in which they will be used.

A key area of my research has been visceral leishmaniasis, including its diagnosis in people living with HIV and the detection of asymptomatic infection. I am involved in the development of diagnostics for emerging infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and Nipah virus, and in antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, including diagnostics for urinary tract infections.

More broadly, I am interested in strengthening diagnostic ecosystems, improving market access for essential technologies, and contributing to pandemic preparedness through collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches.

Teaching

Dr Owen contributes to teaching and training in diagnostics and global health at postgraduate level. She has delivered lectures and practical laboratory teaching for students on the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene and MSc programmes at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

Her teaching focuses on diagnostic development, evaluation methodologies, and the application of laboratory techniques in infectious disease research. She brings a strong translational perspective to her teaching, integrating real-world examples from her experience in industry and global health partnerships.

Selected research publications

Prevalence and determinants of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in HIV-infected individuals living within visceral leishmaniasis endemic areas of Bihar, India – Journal: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases – Published: 30th August 2022

Twelve lateral flow immunoassays (LFAs) to detect SARS-CoV-2 antibodies – Journal: Journal of Infection – Published: 1st March 2022

Investigation of SARS-CoV-2 faecal shedding in the community: a prospective household cohort study (COVID-LIV) in the UK – Journal: BMC Infectious Diseases – Published: 9th August 2021

Detection of asymptomatic Leishmania infection in Bangladesh by antibody and antigen diagnostic tools shows an association with post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) patients – Journal: Parasites and Vectors – Published: 17th February 2021

Saliva Alternative to Upper Respiratory Swabs for SARS-CoV-2 Diagnosis – Journal: Emerging Infectious Diseases – Published: 1st November 2020

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