Emma Thomson

Professor Emma Thomson is a leading virologist and infectious diseases specialist at the University of Glasgow, serving as Director of the Centre for Virus Research. She holds a consultant position in infectious diseases and general medicine at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, with specialist expertise in returning travelers with fever, early hepatitis C infection, HCV drug resistance, and HIV co-infection. Thomson also serves as chair of the British HIV Association Hepatitis Sub-committee and works as an external consultant for the World Health Organisation.

Professor Thomson's research focuses on emerging viral infections, which she identifies as an ever-present threat to human health. Her work addresses how increased global travel, climate change, and ecosystem alterations have heightened the risk of viral transmission to previously unexposed populations. She has extensive experience studying a wide range of emerging viruses including AAV2, mpox, SARS-CoV-2, hepatitis C and E, Ebola virus, emerging rhabdoviruses, and Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV). Her laboratory employs next-generation sequencing to detect new and emerging viruses both in the UK and in Uganda through a partnership with the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI).

Thomson's recent research portfolio demonstrates a strong focus on viral hemorrhagic fevers, SARS-CoV-2 immunity and evolution, hepatitis viruses, and the application of genomic approaches to infectious disease surveillance. Her work spans from basic virology to clinical applications, with numerous studies examining viral evolution, immune responses, and diagnostic approaches. A significant portion of her research involves international collaborations, particularly with Ugandan institutions, reflecting her commitment to global health and capacity building in resource-limited settings.

Professor Thomson has been actively involved in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to multiple studies on viral variants, vaccine effectiveness, and clinical outcomes. Her work has appeared in high-impact journals including Nature, Lancet, and Nature Communications, demonstrating the significance and reach of her research contributions to the field of virology and infectious diseases.