David Denning is a distinguished professor and internationally recognized expert in infectious diseases with a specialized focus on fungal pathogens. He holds the position of Professor of Infectious Diseases in Global Health at The University of Manchester, a role he has maintained since receiving a personal chair in 2005. Graduating from Guy's Hospital Medical School in London in 1980, he completed comprehensive training in internal medicine and infectious diseases across prestigious institutions in London, Glasgow, and Stanford University. From 2009 to 2020, he served as Director of the UK's National Aspergillosis Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester, establishing it as the world's only dedicated referral center for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis. Although now retired from clinical practice, his foundational work continues to shape modern approaches to diagnosing and treating complex fungal infections.
Professor Denning's groundbreaking research has significantly advanced the understanding and treatment of aspergillosis and antifungal resistance, particularly in immunocompromised patients. He coordinated the landmark international consortium that successfully sequenced the Aspergillus fumigatus genome between 1997 and 2005, a critical achievement that provided essential insights into fungal pathogenicity and treatment resistance mechanisms. With an impressive publication record exceeding 700 scientific articles, his work has garnered more than 95,000 citations, demonstrating profound influence across the medical and scientific communities. His clinical expertise has been instrumental in conducting and analyzing pivotal trials for antifungal agents including itraconazole, voriconazole, and echinocandins, directly contributing to improved therapeutic protocols worldwide. Additionally, he developed the highly accessed Aspergillus Website, serving as an authoritative resource for healthcare professionals and researchers seeking current information on aspergillosis management and research.
Beyond his research contributions, Professor Denning has demonstrated exceptional leadership in global fungal disease awareness and education through multiple pioneering initiatives. He founded LIFE (Leading International Fungal Education), an organization dedicated to improving patient outcomes through accessible online learning resources for healthcare providers worldwide. As the founding Chief Executive of Global Action For Fungal Infections from 2013 to 2023, he championed efforts to increase access to fungal diagnostics and antifungal therapies across resource-limited settings. His entrepreneurial spirit led to the creation of two successful biotechnology companies, F2G Ltd focused on antifungal drug development and Myconostica Ltd specializing in molecular diagnostic tests for fungi. Currently, he continues to influence clinical practice through his active participation in international guideline committees and his ongoing work to address the significant global burden of fungal diseases.
