Ebola scientist back in his home town of Rochdale

Dr David Matthews at Rochdale Sixth Form College

A scientist who played a significant role in a multi-national Ebola study has been back in Rochdale.

Dr David Matthews, a former pupil of Oulder Hill Community School, delivered a lecture to Rochdale Sixth Form students focusing on virology and his work in West Africa researching the genetic evolution of the Ebola epidemic as published in the scientific journal, Nature.

The Bristol University lecturer described the techniques involved, such as taking blood samples from patients and comparing the changes in the genetic material of the virus throughout the outbreak.

Bristol University used its supercomputer, Blue Crystal, to analyse raw data on the Ebola virus in 179 patient blood samples to determine the precise genetic make-up of the virus in each case. This allowed the team to examine how the virus evolved over the Ebola outbreak, informing public health policy in key areas such as diagnostic testing, vaccine deployment and experimental treatment options.

Usman Arshad, who is studying for his Biology A-Level at Rochdale Sixth Form College, said: “We were all completely blown away by Dr David Matthews. It was such a motivational and inspirational talk and it really demonstrated the power of science. It has certainly given me the impetus to work hard and hopefully one day I too can be involved in such a ground-breaking research project as this one.”

Surita Lawes, assistant principal, said: “It really was a captivating lecture which had the students hooked from start to finish.

"We would like to thank Dr David Matthews for taking the time out to come back to his home town and speak to our students, and we are very much looking forward to him returning to inspire the next cohort of budding biologists.”