Biochemistry, Global Health Institute Hosted TIME100 Health Recipient Tulio de Oliveira
Jorge Osorio, Tulio de Oliveira, Brian Fox (photo courtesy Paul Escalante/UW–Madison Department of Biochemistry)
By Catherine Steffel, Communications Manager, Department of Biochemistry and Katie Newcomb, Communications Director, GHI…TIME100 Health recipient, Tulio de Oliveira, renowned for his pivotal role in identifying COVID-19 variants, recently led the Steenbock Lectures hosted by UW-Madison’s Biochemistry Department and the Global Health Institute. As the Director of Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) in South Africa, and Deputy Director of the Genomic Surveillance Unit at Wellcome Sanger Institute in the UK, de Oliveira shared how he and his team discovered the Omicron and Beta variants of Covid-19, and how he helped build an EID surveillance network to share information.
Tulio’s visit incorporated engagements with multiple units on campus that reflected the breadth and depth of UW’s expertise. From the state-of-the-art Cryo-Electron Microscopy Research Center (CEMRC) and National Magnetic Resonance Facility at Madison (NMRFAM) to the pioneering work at the Data Science Institute, from the trailblazing AIDS Vaccine Research Laboratory to the innovative minds in the School of Medicine & Public Health, de Oliveira immersed himself in the intellectual and research depth of UW–Madison.
“Having Tulio here on campus, to see UW–Madison’s research and innovation capabilities, is very special,” said Jorge Osorio, director of the Global Health Institute. “His vision and work ethic towards emerging and infectious disease surveillance and network building matches that of our goals and efforts at GHI. Future collaborations between our universities would have a big impact on not only building academic opportunities to develop the next global health leaders, but also on building capacity and networks across the world to improve lives.”
As Tulio engaged with experts from twelve different departments, including the Department of Biochemistry, the School of Pharmacy, and the Institute for Molecular Virology, it became evident why Stellenbosch University and UW–Madison made perfect partners for future collaborations and academic agreements. The history of UW’s transdisciplinary partnerships, driven by the Wisconsin Idea—where the boundaries of campus are the boundaries of the state and beyond—spoke volumes about their commitment to solving global health challenges.
“This visit provided a phenomenal opportunity for UW-Madison to make contact with Stellenbosch University and solidify our collective interests in the application of the scientific endeavor across intersecting domains affect the whole world,” said Brian Fox, chair of the Department of Biochemistry and Marvin J. Johnson Professor in Fermentation Biochemistry.
Through animated discussions and brainstorming sessions, ideas flowed freely. Discussions ranged from combating antimicrobial resistance to leveraging artificial intelligence for integration of climate data into public health awareness and interventions, from advancing vaccine development to exploring new frontiers in agroecology, food security, and environmental health.
These ideas are not only encompassing academic exchanges; but also harnessing collective knowledge to tackle global health challenges head-on.
The highlights of Tulio’s visit were the two Steenbock Lectures he delivered to the public, captivating audiences with insights gleaned from the frontlines of genetic sequencing and infectious disease analysis. Each lecture was a testament to the spirit of collaboration that defined this partnership between continents.
The seeds of collaboration have been planted and the future holds promise—of breakthroughs in science, of solutions to complex health problems, and of a partnership that transcends geographical boundaries to make a tangible difference in the lives of people around the world. This is a perfect example and embodiment of the Wisconsin Idea in global action. We look forward to sharing more information as discussions continue.