CSaP: The Science & Policy Podcast Science, Policy & Pandemics: Episode 3 - Diagnostic Testing
This week, our host Dr Rob Doubleday sits down with the University of Cambridge's Professor Stephen Baker and Dr Caroline Trotter for a discussion about epidemiology and diagnostic testing for Covid-19. Kicking off the discussion, Dr Baker shares what he has learned leading one of the first academic labs converted to a diagnostic lab, now carrying out validated rapid testing at Cambridge's Addenbrooke’s Hospital. We ask about the feasibility and scalability of his model, and hear about what lessons he might have to share with other labs around the country.
Throughout the episode, we also discuss asymptomatic cases, the macro picture of the disease based on epidemiological models, and the challenges low and middle income countries - and places facing humanitarian crises - may face in their covid-19 responses.
CSaP's Science and Policy Podcast is a production of the Centre for Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge. This series on science, policy and pandemics is produced in partnership with Cambridge Infectious Diseases and the Cambridge Immunology Network.
Our guests this week:
Professor Stephen Baker, Professor of Molecular Microbiology, University of Cambridge, is presently leading a diagnostic lab focused on covid-19. Prior to the pandemic, his work focused on the Wellcome Africa- Asia programme, where he focused on specific bacteria that cause infectious disease in humans in low-middle income countries.
Dr Caroline Trotter is an epidemiologist and a Principal Research Associate, Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Cambridge. She is also the Academic Director Cambridge Africa in the Department of Pathology, and is an Honorary Epidemiologist at Public Health England.
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This series is hosted by CSaP Executive Director Dr Rob Doubleday, and is edited and produced by CSaP Communications Coordinator Kate McNeil. If you have feedback about this episode, or questions you’d like us to address in a future week, please email enquiries@csap.cam.ac.uk .