WHO Collaborating Centre for Modelling, Evolution and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
In 2012, the University of Cambridge received designation as a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre. This designation was primarily in recognition and support of the contribution to public health by the Centre for Pathogen Evolution, in the Department of Zoology. The activities of the Collaborating Centre have subsequently grown to include numerous other groups throughout the University.
Located in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, the Centre for Pathogen Evolution conducts highly translational scientific research focused on improving our understanding and ability to predict pathogen evolution in humans and other animals.
Professor Derek Smith leads an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Centre. Working with computational, mathematical and laboratory tools for pathogen surveillance and evaluation, the Centre provides essential support to WHO activities in influenza vaccine strain selection, and emergency response for time-critical public health questions.