$2M to help McMaster’s work fighting pandemics

Philanthropist’s gift will have ‘galvanizing impact’

McMaster University has received a $2-million gift to support the school’s work aimed at fighting COVID-19 and preventing future pandemics.

Earlier this month, McMaster launched “The Global Nexus for Pandemics and Biological Threats,” an international network of scientists from a variety of disciplines that continues the university’s long-standing research focus on infectious diseases and antimicrobial or “superbug” resistance.

The donation, that comes from the foundation of philanthropist Stephen Jarislowsky, will create a new research chair in pandemic research and prevention, according to an article on the university’s website.

McMaster president David Farrar said in the article that the gift will have a “galvanizing impact” on plans for the pandemic research network, which he added “is the most ambitious initiative in our history ... COVID has exposed the world’s vulnerabilities and we need to bring expertise together in new ways.”

Jarislowsky has an honorary degree from McMaster, and in the past has supported the university by establishing a research chair in the environment and health.

In the article, Jarislowsky said that endowed research chairs help universities “attract the best teachers and scholars. Their presence in turn make the university famous and attracts the best students to apply and remain after, working for graduate degrees and then look back on mentors who inspire their lives.”

Jarislowsky, a billionaire who founded an eponymous Montreal-based investment firm, was born in Germany and served in the U.S. military including in counter-intelligence in Japan after the Second World War, according to a bio on the company’s website.

McMaster has so far undertaken more than 100 COVID-19 related research projects in its new initiative, that include researching treatments and vaccines, building personal protective equipment, and studying bats to learn how their immune systems fight viruses.

Gerry Wright, a McMaster scientist who is the inaugural leader of the network, said it will recruit global talent, boost global health security, train graduate students, provide jobs and economic growth and make Canada a global destination for investment and innovation.

“This is Canada’s chance to seize the moment,” he said.

“This is Canada’s chance to seize the moment.” GERRY WRIGHT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY SCIENTIST