Professor Dr. Derek Smith

Professor

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Biography

Derek Smith is Professor of Infectious Disease Informatics in the Department of Zoology at Cambridge. He advises the WHO influenza vaccine strain selection committee and participates in vaccine strain selection for the FAO and World Animal Health Organisation. His research examines pathogen evolution, predictability and public and animal health measures. His group develops computational tools to analyse antigenic variation and antibody responses to influenza and SARS-CoV-2. He studies prior immunity and repeated vaccination. During the COVID pandemic he contributed to SAGE and is a member of the NIH SARS-CoV-2 Assessment of Viral Evolution Program.

Research Interests

Pathogen Evolution Infectious Disease Informatics Antigenic Variation Vaccine Immunology

Requirements for University of Cambridge

Master Program

Requirements

GPA Requirement
Required:3.7
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:25
Reading
Required:25
Writing
Required:25
Speaking
Required:25
Total
Required:110

Prerequisites

UK Bachelor's Degree with good Upper Second Class Honours or international equivalent Background in international relations, politics, law, economics, security or history is a definite asset

Application Checklist

  • Two academic references
  • Official transcripts
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal statement (approx 500 words)
  • Research proposal (1-2 pages/500 words)
  • Application fee (£50)

Specialization Notes

Standard postgraduate requirements for Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS) and related humanities departments.