Dr Emma Harding-Esch

Emma is an epidemiologist, with a focus on neglected tropical diseases (primarily trachoma) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

She obtained both a MSc (Control of Infectious Diseases) and PhD ("Trachoma control and elimination: Field studies in The Gambia and Senegal") from LSHTM, and led the field studies for the Partnership for the Rapid Elimination of Trachoma (PRET) trial in The Gambia. She also has experience of infectious disease surveillance, having been the Senior Enhanced Surveillance Scientist for CJD at Public Health England, and then a Principal Scientist in PHE's HIV/STI department. She was Senior Trials Coordinator for the eSTI2 Consortium, led by St George's, University of London, and subsequently the Programme Manager and Epidemiology Lead for the Applied Diagnostic Research and Evaluation Unit (ADREU - www.adreu.com). At ADREU Emma conducted several diagnostic evaluations to assess the performance, clinical and public health impacts of novel diagnostic technologies for STIs.

Emma returned to LSHTM in November 2017 as an Associate Professor and Chief Scientist for Tropical Data (www.tropicaldata.org), supporting national programmes to collect scientifically robust and standardised neglected tropical disease prevalence data, allowing interventions for disease elimination to be targeted and prioritised.