College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences

Two University of Glasgow Professors are among the latest cohort of Global Health Research Professors announced by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Professor Emma Thomson and Professor Peter MacPherson were both recognised by the NIHR for their world-changing work delivering impact on some of the most pressing global health challenges.

Funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), the NIHR Global Health Research Professorship (GHRP) scheme supports outstanding researchers to lead ambitious programmes of applied health research, and build long-term research leadership and capacity within institutions in the regions where they work.

 

Professor Emma Thomson, Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), will work to strengthen local research capacity in order to improve the detection of emerging viral infections in Uganda, a country which frequently faces outbreaks of life-threatening viral diseases such as Ebola and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

Professor Peter MacPherson, Head of Public Health at the School of Health & Wellbeing, will work with colleagues in Malawi to investigate a new approach to artificial intelligence testing for tuberculosis (TB).

Professor Lucy Chappell, CEO of NIHR and Chief Scientific Adviser at DHSC said: “The Department of Health and Social Care is delighted to see this new cohort of NIHR Global Health Research Professors announced. These awards are about backing talented researchers to find practical ways to improve health and care, especially in communities facing the greatest challenges.

“This investment matters because it helps turn research into real benefits for patients and the public in low and middle income countries — from better diagnosis and treatment to stronger health services. At the same time, it supports local research leaders and teams, working in partnership to build the skills and systems they need to improve health now and in the future.”

Professor Emma Thomson is an Infectious Diseases doctor at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. An internationally recognised expert in emerging infectious diseases, Professor Thomson played both key public health and research roles throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as carrying out research on several emerging viruses including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Ebola, Le Dantec virus, measles, and hepatitis C.

In early 2025 Professor Thomson became the Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, home to the UK’s largest critical mass of researchers who are entirely focused on the study of human viral diseases and viruses at the human-animal interface.

Professor Thomson said: “I was delighted to receive an NIHR Global Health Research Professorship. This award will support the development and implementation of advanced genomic and sequencing technologies to establish an early warning system for emerging viral threats in Uganda.

“By strengthening local capacity to detect viral haemorrhagic fevers, and other high-consequence pathogens at source, this work aims to enable more rapid, evidence-based outbreak response and improve global health security.”

Professor Peter MacPherson, Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Glasgow, specialises in the epidemiology and prevention of infectious diseases. Professor MacPherson works with partners in many countries around the world to research tuberculosis, HIV, and other priority public health infectious diseases. He has particular interests in TB screening and diagnostics, and in the spatial epidemiology of infectious diseases.

Professor MacPherson said: “I am honoured to receive this NIHR Global Health Research Professorship. This award will advance the use of artificial intelligence to improve tuberculosis detection throughout the world. In the award, I will work closely with local partners in Malawi to generate evidence that directly informs equitable policy and strengthens health systems.”

---

Enquiries: ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk or elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk

First published: 14 April 2026