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.

Join our new coronavirus Facebook group for the latest confirmed news and advice as soon as we get it

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.

"The work our academics are contributing to SAGE is vitally important. But the effort to tackle the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic extends further and involves staff across the entire university who are providing research and innovation support and expert input to the NHS, Government departments and businesses in a hugely collaborative effort."

The publication of Sage members came after calls for transparency over the group, with concerns raised of a lack of breadth in expertise and the presence of Downing Street adviser Dominic Cummings in meetings.

Downing Street planned only to name those who consented to be on the list, raising concerns over personal security and the need to protect individuals from lobbying.

Just two members declined permission for their names to be published.

Science and Technology Committee chair Greg Clark welcomed the publication of the Sage list, which came alongside an “explainer” of Sage.

“I strongly welcome the commitment to transparency made by Sage in publishing the names of the members,” the Conservative MP said.

“This was something my committee called for in order to provide public reassurance that Government decisions are informed by a broad and substantial body of expert advice.”

Transparency concerns had prompted former Government chief scientific adviser Sir David King to convene a separate “independent” panel of experts who are meeting today.

The identities of many Sage members were already known, with individual experts choosing to discuss their roles in public.

But this is the first time during the crisis that ministers have detailed the group’s membership.

It includes familiar names such as chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance and England’s chief medical officer, Professor Chris Whitty.

--------------------------------------

Editor’s note: First and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor