Sam Wassmer, PhD, is an immunopathologist whose research focuses on the effects of malaria infection on the brain. He leads an international, multidisciplinary team of researchers across India, Switzerland, the US, Gabon, and the UK to develop new diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches for patients with malaria. He is a Steering Committee member and former Co-Director of the Malaria Centre at LSHTM, which connects and supports more than 300 malaria researchers, both within and beyond the School, through seminars, social events, and scientific retreats.

He is known for his innovative and collaborative work in malaria-endemic settings, integrating advanced neuroimaging, molecular diagnostics, and artificial intelligence to improve understanding of the mechanisms underlying cerebral malaria. His research has been funded by the Wellcome Trust, the MRC, and the NIH, and has taken him to live and work in Malawi, the US, and the UK. Sam is also closely involved in capacity building through long-standing partnerships with research institutes across Africa and Southeast Asia. He teaches at the School of Global Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in China, and is an Adjunct Professor at GLA University in India.

Sam is also a Mental Health First Aider and a Steering Committee member of LSHTM Press.