Glasgow Profs Fighting Deadly Diseases To Save Millions

Two brilliant Glasgow professors are spearheading vital global health research. They are among the National Institute for Health and Care Research's new cohort of Global Health Research Professors.

Their work could save millions of lives from deadly diseases like Ebola and TB.

Tackling Killer Viruses

Professor Emma Thomson is an infectious diseases doctor. The Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, she is targeting emerging viral infections in Uganda.

This country often battles life-threatening outbreaks like Ebola and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

She will boost local research abilities there to improve detection of these dangerous viruses.

Professor Thomson said: “This award will support the development and implementation of advanced genomic and sequencing technologies to establish an early warning system for emerging viral threats in Uganda.

"By strengthening local capacity to detect viral haemorrhagic fevers, and other high-consequence pathogens at source, this work aims to enable more rapid, evidence-based outbreak response and improve global health security.”

AI Breakthrough for TB

Meanwhile, Professor Peter MacPherson, Head of Public Health at the School of Health & Wellbeing, is working with partners in Malawi.

He is investigating a groundbreaking new approach to using artificial intelligence for tuberculosis (TB) testing.

Professor MacPherson specialises in preventing infectious diseases like TB and HIV.

His work aims to improve screening and diagnostics worldwide.

He stated: “I am honoured to receive this NIHR Global Health Research Professorship. This award will advance the use of artificial intelligence to improve tuberculosis detection throughout the world.

"In the award, I will work closely with local partners in Malawi to generate evidence that directly informs equitable policy and strengthens health systems.”

Why This Matters

The NIHR Global Health Research Professorship scheme supports top researchers. Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, it helps them lead ambitious health research programmes.

The aim is to build leadership in the regions they serve.

Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of NIHR, highlighted the impact. She said this investment brings "real benefits for patients and the public in low and middle income countries."

This includes better diagnosis, treatment, and stronger health services.

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OFFICIAL SOURCE VERIFICATION: This report is based on official data from University Newsroom. Document: NIHR announces Global Health Research Professors Source Link: [Read the official report from University Newsroom](https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1261241_en.html)