Pedro L. Alonso

About

Pedro L. Alonso is a world-renowned leader in global health and infectious disease research, whose career has been defined by transformative contributions to malaria control and elimination. His primary research areas encompass malaria vaccine development, the epidemiology of severe childhood malaria, and the implementation of public health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa. Alonso is best known for his pivotal role in the clinical development of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, the first and only vaccine recommended by the WHO for widespread use against Plasmodium falciparum. His landmark work, including a highly cited 2014 study demonstrating that RTS,S vaccination is associated with serologic evidence of decreased exposure to both liver- and blood-stage parasites, provided critical mechanistic insights into the vaccine's partial protection. With over 500 publications and tens of thousands of citations, his research has fundamentally shaped our understanding of malaria immunity and vaccine efficacy. As the former Director of the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and a key advisor to the WHO, Alonso’s legacy lies in bridging rigorous science with real-world impact, saving countless lives across endemic regions.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   RTS,S Vaccination Is Associated With Serologic Evidence of Decreased Exposure to Plasmodium falciparum Liver- and Blood-Stage Parasites*

   39 citations · 2014

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links