Biomedical Sciences

Researchers host Emerging Infection Challenges workshop in Mexico

The University of Edinburgh and The National Autonomous University Mexico (UNAM) came together on the 9th-13th January to host a joint workshop, 'Mitigating Emerging Infection: Challenges for Public Security and Justice', in Mexico.

The workshop was jointly hosted by Prof. Sue Welburn (UoE) and Prof. Javier Ambrosio (UNAM) at the Faculty of Medicine, UNAM, Mexico City and was made possible by grants from the Newton Fund and British Council Researcher Links Workshop Grants.

The focus of the workshop was the complexity of managing emerging infectious diseases which brought together early career researchers in medical, veterinary, biological, social sciences, engineering and technology disciplines from the UK and Mexico who are interested in emerging infectious diseases and infectious threats to global health.

The workshop combined keynote speeches from experienced researchers with interactive sessions to allow participants to share knowledge and experiences and build plans for future international collaborative multidisciplinary research projects.

The workshop themes included; emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, disease surveillance and diagnostics, epidemiology, control of infections in healthcare and community settings, health policy and antimicrobial resistance.

Participants were given the opportunity to participate in an inter-disciplinary team-based challenge to devise mechanisms to rapidly diagnose resistant microorganisms, guided by an experienced research mentor. The main purpose of the workshop is to allow participants to work together to address key global issues surrounding emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

The Newton Fund is part of the UK’s official development assistance. Its aim is to develop science and innovation partnerships that promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries.

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Further information

Workshop details on the UNAM website

Professor Sue Welburn's staff Profile

Dr Till Bachmann staff profile