Sue Welburn

Professor Sue Welburn is Executive Dean, Zhejiang University - The University of Edinburgh Joint Institute and founding Director of the Global Health Academy at the University of Edinburgh.

As Professor of Medical and Veterinary Molecular Epidemiology Sue leads the Neglected Zoonoses research group. Sue has more than 25 years of experience working on human sleeping sickness, zoonotic trypanosomiasis and other neglected zoonotic diseases in human and domestic and wild animal populations. Research concentrates on the design and use of molecular diagnostic tools for the study and management of sleeping sickness and animal trypanosomiasis and developing integrated One ‘Public’ Health control methodologies for the Neglected Zoonoses (anthrax, rabies, brucellosis, bovine TB, trypanosomiasis, echinococcosis, cysticercosis and leishmaniasis). These diseases are major causes of ill-health in people in developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Research has encompassed research ranging from ‘grass-roots’ fieldwork in Africa to laboratory-based dissection of the problems at the gene level. Experience ranging from the management of high-tech laboratory research to the running of applied field projects in developing countries.

Sue has supervised 60 PhD students. Her work is global, implementing and managing project-restricted research and translational projects in Africa and Asia, often partnering with organizations going through substantial transition. She has managed research activities in Cambodia, Chad, China, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Haiti, Kenya, Lao PDR, Liberia, Mali, Mexico Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, collaborating with Universities, State Ministries and International bodies focussing on combined medical and veterinary sector interventions for disease control. Research is undertaken in partnership with the National Institute of Medical Research, Ministries of Health, Ministries of Agriculture) supported by funding from World Health Organization /DFID/BBSRC/ESRC/NERC(ESPA) /Wellcome Trust/ Leverhulme Trust, Cunningham Trust and NTI (Global Health and Security Initiative), Commonwealth Commission, COST, ESF and the European Union.

With colleagues in the private sector, and Makerere University, Uganda Sue established a Public Private Partnership for the control of sleeping sickness in Uganda (www/stampoutsleepingsickness.com) averting an epidemic of sleeping sickness. To eliminate Neglected Zoonoses new approaches to funding are needed to avoid the pitfalls associated with public goods (sustainability and accountability). Working with Social Finance (http://www.socialfinance.org) a novel partnership to leverage private investment to pay for One Health control by shifting donor funding towards results based funding mechanisms (Development Impact Bonds).

Sue has held the roles of Vice Principal Global Access, Assistant Principal for Global Health and Head of Infection Medicine at the University of Edinburgh. Sue was made a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2015 and. Her research is ranked in the top 20 of all UK research for Development Impact and has been recognized by a series of Awards from the Government of Uganda. Her H-index is 65.

Sue has published 350 peer reviewed scientific articles, reviews and book chapters and been awarded more than £40 million research funding. Sue has a strong commitment to Capacity Building in HEI and Research Institutions in the Global South and has been awarded over 150 master’s degree scholarships from the Commonwealth Commission and other donors to support career development of individuals from low and middle- income countries.