Miss Martina Savio

Biography

Martina Savio is a Programme Manager currently working on the LIGHT Consortium, a six-year cross-disciplinary global health research programme funded by UK Aid, led by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) and working with partners in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda and the UK. She is responsible for the effective operational management and execution of the programme including progress tracking, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity strengthening.

From 2017 to 2021, Martina was the Programme Manager for the National Institute for Health and Care Research Global Health Research Unit on Lung Health and Tuberculosis in Africa at LSTM, a 4-year £7m partnership involving 21 partners with 15 based in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Between 2015-17 she worked as Research Information Manager at LSTM supporting Research Committee and the REF Coordinator in the preparation for REF2021.

She is a safeguarding focal point at LSTM and a Mental Health First Aider (MHFA qualified) and also gained the Advance HE Associate Fellowship in 2025.

Before joining LSTM, Martina worked at the University of Liverpool where she coordinated financial and non-financial aspects of research projects for the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science and Mathematical Sciences.

Originally from Italy, she completed a bachelor’s degree in International Development (with distinction) at the University of Padova (Italy) and an MPhil in Peace & Conflict Transformation at the University of Tromsø (Norway), with a thesis on child labour in artisanal mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. She served as an advocate for child protection in relation to child labour and working conditions and has worked overseas in Ecuador, Cameroon, Cambodia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo for International NGOs and the UN.

Research interests

Martina is interested in research management of international research projects, particularly in global health.

Teaching

Martina teaches the LSTM short course: Research Administration and Management training Programme.

Selected research publications

Accuracy of upper respiratory tract samples to diagnose Mycobacterium tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis – Journal: The Lancet Microbe – Published: 12th September 2023

How international research consortia can strengthen organisations’ research systems and promote a conducive environment and culture – Journal: BMJ Global Health – Published: 7th April 2023

The UK’s Global Health Respiratory Network: Improving respiratory health of the world’s poorest through research collaborations – Journal: Journal of Global Health – Published: 23rd December 2019

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