Hamilton’s McMaster University and University of Liverpool partner to advance pandemic preparedness
Published June 1, 2022 at 2:41 pm
Hamilton’s McMaster University announced Wednesday that it has entered into a partnership with the University of Liverpool that will advance pandemic preparedness research and training opportunities at both institutions.
McMaster President David Farrar visited Liverpool in May to discuss areas of mutual interest and identify opportunities to build international capacity to tackle global health threats.
The two institutions shared ideas and perspectives on the past and current difficulties that COVID-19 has brought globally and their role in developing strong evidence-based solutions for future epidemics.
Farrar says that the University of Liverpool is key in developing the framework for pandemic preparedness in the United Kingdom, in part due to its research strengths in tropical and veterinary medicine, virology, and antimicrobial resistance.
“Between our universities, we see several opportunities to accelerate vaccine and antibiotic development and address the challenges related to infrastructure, PPE, manufacturing, public policy and the spread of misinformation,” he says.
Anthony Hollander, pro-vice-chancellor for research and impact at the University of Liverpool, says international collaborations are essential in addressing the global challenges that have arisen during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I am delighted to see this new relationship developing between the University of Liverpool and McMaster University in a field where we both have a strong track record of impactful research,” he said. “I am looking forward to the opportunities that this partnership will create for our researchers to work with our partners in Canada.”
Gerry Wright, lead at Canada’s Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats, says these international partnerships are critical in allowing Canada’s Global Nexus researchers to significantly expand their scope and accelerate their research programs.
“The University of Liverpool is an important partner and a great addition to the team of international institutions that are now working with Nexus to address current pandemic issues and prepare for what may come next,” he said.
insauga's Editorial Standards and Policies advertising