Madeleine Thomson’s Emerging Infectious Disease Expertise
Dr. Madeleine Thomson has established herself as a leading authority on emerging infectious diseases, particularly those with climate sensitivities that are expanding their geographic range due to environmental changes. Her work during the Zika virus outbreak exemplified her ability to rapidly assess and communicate the climate dimensions of emerging health threats. Her research during the Zika crisis demonstrated how climate factors influence the spread of vector-borne diseases into new territories.
Thomson’s expertise in emerging infectious diseases extends beyond individual disease outbreaks to encompass broader patterns of disease emergence and spread. Her research shows that the recent expansion of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes is associated with globalization factors including shipping container movement, air travel, population movement, forest clearing, and urbanization. This understanding is crucial for predicting and preparing for future disease emergence events.
Her work on emerging infectious diseases emphasizes the importance of preparedness and rapid response capabilities rather than attempting to predict exactly what, where, and when new threats will emerge. Thomson advocates for building flexible response systems that can adapt to a broad range of possible threats, recognizing that climate change is likely to continue facilitating disease emergence and spread.
The emerging infectious disease research conducted under Thomson’s leadership has informed international response strategies and preparedness planning. Her Wellcome position enables her to support research into novel approaches for emerging disease surveillance and response. Her expertise is regularly featured in policy discussions and her Columbia research continues to advance understanding of disease emergence patterns.