Dr. Fisal Tantoush is a Research Fellow in Immunology within the Global Health and Infection Department at Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS). His research focuses on the role of the immune system in neglected tropical diseases, particularly Podoconiosis in Ethiopia and Rwanda. Through this work, he has led major initiatives in Rwanda, delivering advanced immunological and research training to junior PhD students and contributing to local capacity building and the development of sustainable research infrastructure.

He subsequently joined the Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (CEM) at BSMS as a Research Fellow in Immunology, working with Prof. Florian Kern. During this period, Dr. Tantoush investigated the role of T cells in the immunopathology of autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, alongside parallel work in cancer immunology. In collaboration with Dr. Leandro Castellano, he developed experimental models of the tumour microenvironment in pancreatic and brain cancers to study how tumour-specific T-cell responses are shaped within complex tissue environments.

Dr. Tantoush has recently returned to the Global Health and Infection Department following the successful award of a Medical Research Council (MRC) grant, secured by Prof. Melanie Newport, which focuses on advancing immunological research into Podoconiosis. In this role, he continues to integrate mechanistic immunology with global health research, strengthening translational links between immune pathways, disease pathogenesis, and capacity building in low-resource settings.

Dr. Tantoush holds a PhD in Immunology from Hull York Medical School (University of Hull), where he developed extensive expertise in molecular and cellular immunology, with a particular focus on T and B cell biology. He also earned a master’s degree in biomedical sciences with distinction from the University of Hull and a BSc in Medical Laboratories from Tripoli University.

During his doctoral research, Dr. Tantoush investigated the role of bacterial superantigens in T-cell exhaustion among patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), elucidating the mechanisms by which these superantigens contribute to immune dysfunction and increase susceptibility to severe infections such as sepsis. His research involved advanced techniques in human and murine primary cell and tissue analysis, flow cytometry, next-generation sequencing (NGS), and complex data analysis. His findings have been presented at prestigious scientific conferences, including the British Society for Immunology (BSI) conferences, where he was awarded travel grants ([link to published report]).

Beyond his research, Dr. Tantoush has actively engaged in lab-wide dissemination activities and teaching responsibilities, gaining valuable experience in public engagement and the mentorship of students. His work is further distinguished by a robust track record of collaboration in immunology and cardiovascular disease research. With excellent organizational skills and a strong commitment to collaborative research, Dr. Tantoush is dedicated to advancing the field of immunology and leveraging his expertise to address global health challenges.