1. How we can outsmart epidemics
  2. What vaccinating vampire bats can teach us about pandemics
  3. How diseases and epidemics move through a breath of air
  4. Rumors, trust, and vaccines
  5. 3 building blocks for pandemic prevention that inspire optimism
  6. Can we create vaccines that mutate and spread?
  7. Q&A with Peter Piot about COVID-19

In a Nutshell 

Effective solutions for preventing the next pandemic are all around us. Matt Hepburn explores the key building blocks required to address pandemic threats.

About Matt

After retiring from 23 years of service in the United States Army as an infectious diseases physician, Matt Hepburn currently leads an effort for the Department of Defense called Enabling Technologies. Enabling Technologies rapidly develops new vaccines and treatments against future infectious disease challenges. Having dedicated his professional career to addressing the threat of infectious diseases and pandemics, Matt believes this ambitious goal can be accomplished through technology adoption. His deep level understanding for technology adoption for pandemics stems from his six year tenure as a program manager at DARPA. Prior to joining DARPA, Matt served as the Director of Medical Preparedness on the White House National Security Staff. His service in the Army included deployments to Iraq as a hospital Chief Medical Officer and numerous international engagements in establishing public health and clinical research partnerships.

Addressing pandemic preparedness

COVID-19 is an airborne virus that has spread throughout the world, but it is not the first Pandemic nor will it be the last.

We will continue to be confronted with rapidly spreading viruses like COVID-19, and must prepare to respond appropriately and swiftly. Attention must be given to developing systems to prevent, aid, and protect us from future pandemics.

This Playlist examines multiple facets of pandemic prevention, transmission, and response,

  • addressing pandemic threats
  • global vaccine uptake
  • novel therapeutic development
  • mechanisms of viral transmission.

As a society, we may be able to more effectively act against pandemics and epidemics as they emerge.

These speakers provide insight to what has happened and what can be prevented IF the right systems are in place.