Professor Sir David Stuart, FRS, FMedSci

David Stuart achieved early recognition for his X-ray crystallographic analyses of viral structures of critical importance to animal and human health. The structures of viruses, viral proteins and associated host proteins that he determined clarified how the immune system responds to viruses.

David is Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Oxford and Joint Head of the Division of Structural Biology, and was until recently Life Science Director at Diamond Light Source, the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. His research examines a wide range of human and animal viruses using methods including electron microscopy and tomography. He has made numerous contributions to the understanding of the structure of viruses, structural vaccinology and anti-viral drug discovery. Recent work of his Group with collaborators has included structures of the SARS-CoV-2 spike and interactions with antibodies, providing better understanding of how antibodies work against the virus and how variant viruses escape such antibodies.

David received a Knighthood in 2021 for services to medical research and to the scientific community.

Graduate training and mentorship

Dave has trained many DPhil students who have gone on to not only senior positions in academia, but also in industry and science related positions. He has built a supportive, inclusive lab culture, where team science and scientists can thrive.