Dr. Terry McNearney, M.D.
July 29, 2016 (Fri)

Prior to the 20th Century, it might have taken years for an infectious agent to cross countries or continents. But since the advent of fast, affordable air, train and car travel, infectious containment of emerging pandemics has become much more problematic for medical personnel, public health officials and governments. Pandemics of our times have impacted more than individual human lives. They have also had significant influence on politics, human rights and religious and government laws. In fact, they have changed, even shaped, the modern world. Emerging viruses will continue to be a threat as global travel encroaches on and expands to previously isolated tribes, animals and environments. This lecture will touch on what biomedical science is doing to prepare for and respond to this challenge and what world travelers can do to protect themselves here and abroad.

Dr. Terry McNearney served on the faculties of Washington University School of Medicine and University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) in Galveston, specializing in rheumatology and retrovirology. A long-time research focus of her lab has been how viruses evolve and adapt. She retired from UTMB in 2009 and is currently a senior medical advisor for early drug discovery in neuroscience/pain at Eli Lilly and Company.

Supported by New Mexico Humanities Council, Sandia National Labs and Haverland Carter Lifestyle Group