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A slide from Dr. Dushoff\'s presentation on mathematical modeling
May 27, 2020

Mathematical modeling of COVID-19 explored in recent webinar

Dr. Jonathan Dushoff, professor of Biology at McMaster University’s Institute for Infectious Disease Research, has spent nearly two decades doing dynamical modeling for infectious diseases. In a recent webinar he delivered with Sheena Guglani, research analyst at the eConsult Centre of Excellence (eConsult COE), Dushoff discussed the role of mathematical epidemiology in the context of COVID-19.

Pandemics webinar series closes with views on conspiracies, biases, and decision-making
May 22, 2020

Pandemics webinar series closes with views on conspiracies, biases, and decision-making

A recent webinar by Andrea Baumann and Amelia Boughn wrapped up the Expert Perspectives on Pandemics series, hosted by McMaster University to explore transdisciplinary insights on pandemics in the context of COVID-19.  Baumann is the associate V-P Global Health and director of McMaster’s MSc Global Health program, while Boughn is a graduate student working towards her MSc Global Health.

Collage of photos from the past and present
May 15, 2020

Exploring visual histories and public reactions to pandemics

History is fragmented. Reconstructing the lived realities of those who came before requires us to examine historical artifacts, from documents to photographs. The introduction of the camera in the 19th century shed light on unseen corners of the world and, in the context of pandemics, was a critical tool in the development of modern medicine – with photography practiced both as science and art.

Ethical considerations of COVID-19: Your questions answered
May 13, 2020

Ethical considerations of COVID-19: Your questions answered

As major figures worldwide declare the COVID-19 pandemic to be “unprecedented times that warrant unprecedented intervention,” life as we know it has shifted drastically in response to new policies, emergency procedures, and pressures from resource allocation.

A slide from Dr. Hendrik Poinar\'s webinar, Learning From Past Pandemics: From Black Death to COVID-19.
May 6, 2020

Global experts talk pandemics and COVID-19 in free webinar series

McMaster’s Global Health office is opening up its online speaker series exploring COVID-19 from multiple perspectives to a wider audience. Expert Perspectives on Pandemics features international renowned experts on topics that include flattening the curve, forecasting the new coronavirus, cultural histories and reactions to past pandemics, and the search for a magic bullet.

A male nurse holds a syringe
May 4, 2020

Q&A with a vaccine expert on COVID-19 and pandemic response

The race is on to develop a COVID-19 vaccine. But in an outbreak situation, getting to market fast enough means the process – from discovery research to clinical development to large-scale manufacturing and regulatory approvals – all happens in a condensed timeframe.

Iceberg in the arctic
May 1, 2020

Global health students dive into UN development goals through simulation

Drybrathem is an Arctic region with a beautiful landscape, thriving culture, and resilient people. But, recently, growing levels of mercury have been discovered in the water, causing concern for the health and livelihood of the region’s entire community. The mercury levels are expected to have far-reaching impacts on everything from food security to employment. And the community is asking for help. Except that none of this is true.

Geneviève Boily-Larouche
April 29, 2020

New webinar highlights Canada’s rapid research response to COVID-19

A new webinar by Charu Kaushic and Geneviève Boily-Larouche explores Canada’s research response to COVID-19 and the ways in which the Government of Canada has been working collectively to make progress, and how government funding is being spent on research and other pandemic-related initiatives.

MSc Global Health student Meryl Mackinson
April 28, 2020

Three questions with a global health student

MSc Global Health student Meryl Mackinson shares with us her research focus to date, why she chose McMaster for global health, and what she plans to do when she graduates.

MSc Global Health student Nikki Janszen Spitman
April 26, 2020

Student research to focus on SARS, COVID-19 and the importance of 'after'

Every year, as part of the Master of Science in Global Health program’s capstone project, an intense two-week international symposium, MSc Global Health students present their research and gather invaluable feedback on their research from peers and experts.

Person dressed as Black Plague doctor
April 24, 2020

Black Death to COVID-19 – what we can learn from past pandemics

In 1346 an unknown miasma – a noxious form of ‘bad air’ – swept across the Middle East, through the Horn of Africa, and consumed Europe within five years. The Black Plague spread quickly. It did not discriminate. And it caused massive mortality. The question is: what can we learn from it, when it comes to COVID-19?

McMaster places 17th in the world in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
April 22, 2020

McMaster places 17th in the world in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings

McMaster University has placed 17th in the world in The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which recognizes the important contributions universities make to their communities, countries and on an international scale.

Laptop with sticky notes and pen beside it
April 20, 2020

System mapping, collaborating, and moving to an online platform

The Master of Science in Global Health program prioritizes experiential learning, culminating in a global health symposium in India – a rich cultural experience where students participate in field orientation visits and gain firsthand insight into how the Indian health care system functions. Learning how to create system maps is a key component of the experience. But just because the students aren’t travelling to India doesn’t mean they will miss out.

Global health webinar series to focus on expert perspectives on pandemics
April 19, 2020

Global health webinar series to focus on expert perspectives on pandemics

A new online series developed by McMaster University’s Global Health Office will focus on transdisciplinary perspectives on pandemics in the context of COVID-19. The series kicks off on April 22 and will be available online in the coming weeks as 10 pre-recorded lectures.

What will a virtual global health symposium look like?
April 17, 2020

What will a virtual global health symposium look like?

The Master of Science in Global Health program’s capstone project is an intense two-week international symposium in India, which offers deep dives into pressing global health issues and brings together more than 300 students and faculty from McMaster and its partner universities in the Netherlands, India, Sudan, and Thailand. This year, the evolving situation with COVID-19 has meant that the symposium, which begins next week, has moved online.

Eilish Scallan volunteering at a hygiene/rest space for homeless people at St. Patrick Parish.
April 12, 2020

Homeless with COVID-19: How a global health grad is helping

Eilish Scallan, who is currently on a break from her medical school clinical duties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been involved with a number of local organizations and initiatives aimed at supporting frontline workers and vulnerable communities during this crisis.

Two people wearing masks walk down the street
April 6, 2020

Research study to investigate triage approaches during COVID-19 pandemic

As the global health community responds to the COVID-19 pandemic, what treatment will be offered to critical care patients for whom there is no equipment or health care services available? What do those on the frontlines think should be done for these patients?

MSc Global Health graduate Himani Bhatnagar
March 24, 2020

From COVID-19 to TB: “Tackling infectious diseases requires a global co-ordinated effort,” says Global Health grad

Since January, MSc Global Health graduate Himani Bhatnagar has been working as a policy analyst with the Infection Prevention and Control team at the BC Ministry of Health as part of the province’s emergency response to COVID-19.

Michael DeGroote Centre for Learning and Discovery (MDCL)
March 13, 2020

McMaster launches new PhD in Global Health

McMaster University is launching a new PhD program in global health, slated to begin in September 2020. The doctoral program builds on the success of the innovative, international and transdisciplinary Master of Science in Global Health program and will strengthen McMaster’s existing partnership with Maastricht University in the Netherlands with a unique cotutelle agreement that provides an option for the PhD to be jointly recognized by both universities.

March 12, 2020

Changes to university travel and events

McMaster is cancelling all discretionary events and encouraging all employees to avoid travelling outside of Canada. These new measures, which are effective immediately, underscore the university’s commitment to operations that focus on students and learning as the COVID-19 situation evolves.