Dr Jason Girkin is a postdoctoral researcher specialising in respiratory immunology, with a focus on innate immune responses to viral infection and their role in asthma and viral-induced disease.

He completed a first-class Honours degree in Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy in 2011, investigating early-life viral infections and the dysregulation of innate immunity in asthma development. He subsequently undertook a PhD in Immunology and Microbiology, where his research identified novel molecular signalling pathways involved in rhinovirus-induced asthma exacerbations, resulting in four peer-reviewed publications.

Dr Girkin has extensive experience in pre-clinical testing and contract research in partnership with multiple industry collaborators within the medical technologies and pharmaceuticals (MTP) sector. This work has contributed to patent publications and the advancement of novel therapeutics into clinical trials.

His postdoctoral research has focused on antiviral immunity in the respiratory tract and the development of novel prophylactic therapies, including an immune-activating small molecule currently under clinical investigation for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and influenza.