University of Leeds professor on Government's coronavirus advisory board

Professor Catherine Noakes, a Professor of Environmental Engineering for Buildings in the university’s School of Civil Engineering, was named as membership of the group was revealed today.

Prof Noakes, who has a specialism in airborne infections, conducts research into a number of areas including the transport of airborne pathogens, and as well as sitting on the main advisory board is also in the the hospital onset covid-19, environmental, and children's working groups.

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In 2015 she presented a study to the Festival of Science in Bradford on how likely patients were to pick up infections on hospital wards and at the time came to a conclusion which has been echoed in coronavirus messaging.

She said that although improvements could be made to reduce infections, hygiene was still key.

“Washing your hands still is the best thing we can do,” Prof Noakes said at the time.

Speaking today she said: “Being aware of what can be spread through the environment in buildings has been overlooked in recent years as engineers and designers have focused on issues like energy efficiency.

“But in crowded public buildings and places such as hospitals and care homes, there is risk of pathogens being spread. The positive news is that combining existing technologies with design and behavior interventions can help mitigate against that threat.”

Prof Noakes is one of just 50 Sage members published today, and another Leeds academic also sits on one of Sage’s sub groups.

Mark Wilcox, Professor of Medical Microbiology in the university’s School of Medicine sits on the hospital onset covid-19 and environmental working groups.

Prof Wilcox said: “Modelling is a crunch issue – it will help to inform what the new version of a more relaxed lockdown may look like. Creating the best models relies on being able to access real life data on how the virus that causes COVID-19 behaves.”

Professor Lisa Roberts, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation at the University of Leeds, said: "The fact that a number of the University's experts are providing analysis for Sage is a tribute to the strength of the research endeavour at Leeds.

“At the heart of our research strategy is our commitment to play a leading role in tackling the big challenges facing the world and at the moment, there is none any bigger than the threat from Covid-19.

"Sage members are critical in helping inform decisions about how and when the country will emerge from lockdown and how we transition to the next phase of living with this virus. I am proud that the university is contributing to the scientific evidence that will underpin that advice.