2025 Interdisciplinary Symposium
The Institute for Pandemics (IfP) will hold our 2025 Interdisciplinary Symposium, on May 13th in Desautels Hall at the Rotman School of Management building on the St. George campus of the University of Toronto and to viewers online.
This year’s theme is “Responding to the Unexpected: Bridging science, policy, and community actions in public health emergencies.” Members of the Institute, the university, the government, the private sector, and community members are invited to come together for presentations and discussions around IfP’s themes of readiness, resilience, recovery, and equity.
The agenda below will be updated as speakers are confirmed and is subject to change. Attendees can expect:
- Presentations from invited speakers on governmental roles in emergencies, the economics of public health emergencies, strategies for strengthening health security, and strategies for pandemic preparedness.
- Panel discussions with IfP experts on the above topics
- 3-minute thesis presentations by IfP graduate studentship awardees
- Networking reception
Agenda
Nelson Lee, Director, Institute for Pandemics
Professor Nelson Lee is an infectious diseases physician who has been deeply involved in the research on emerging infectious diseases, epidemics and pandemics for almost two decades. With an interdisciplinary approach, he has conducted a wide range of studies to understand the epidemiology, disease burden, health outcomes, transmission modes and prevention, as well as antiviral and vaccine effectiveness against viral respiratory infections. His research is referenced by international health authorities, contributing to the prevention and control of epidemic viral diseases including coronavirus and influenza. Professor Lee is dedicated to his goals in preventing, effectively responding, and mitigating the impacts of pandemics through research and education.
Before joining the Dalla Lana School of Public Health in 2021, he spent four years at the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, where he served as professor and research chair in the Division of Infectious Diseases. He was an endowed professor in The Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he worked for 15 years, tracking and managing outbreaks of emerging infections (e.g., SARS, novel influenza).
Susan Christofferson, Dean, Rotman School of Management
Susan Christoffersen is the Dean at Rotman, and the William A. Downe BMO Chair, Professor of Finance. From 2015 to 2020, Professor Christoffersen served as the Vice-Dean, Undergraduate and Specialized programs. Her research focuses on mutual funds and the role of financial institutions in capital markets. She has published in top finance journals and is cited in The New York Times, International Herald Tribune, Bloomberg News Service, and The Wall Street Journal. Susan has received grants from SSHRC, IFM2, and FQRSC and research awards from Q-Group, Bank of Canada, BSI Gamma Foundation, INQUIRE, and the Swiss Finance Institute.
3-minute thesis presentation by the current cohort of IfP Graduate Studentship awardees.