The University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, and UHealth – the University of Miami Health System will present a panel discussion focusing on efforts to understand the Zika virus, its impacts on our community, and the migratory patterns of the Aedes aegypti mosquito that carries the virus on Thursday, September 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Moderated by UM President Julio Frenk at the Lois Pope LIFE Center on the Miller School campus, the discussion will feature University experts in the fields of research, infectious disease, obstetrics and pediatric care, prevention, and the spread of vector-borne disease.

The forum is open to the University community, and can be viewed live on Livestream, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.

More than a year ago University experts began preparing for the arrival of the Zika virus to South Florida, tracking the migration of the mosquito carrying the virus, focusing research on better testing and understanding, and preparing how to treat patients with the virus. UM physicians and scientists are part of the growing University of Miami Zika Global Network, committed to research, discovery, education, and care involving the Zika virus and its impacts.

Mario Stevenson, chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases

David Watkins, vice chair of research in the Department of Pathology

Christine Curry, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology

Ivan Gonzalez, assistant professor of clinical pediatrics and specialist in pediatric infectious diseases

Paola Lichtenberger, assistant professor of clinical medicine, director of the Tropical Disease Program

John Beier, professor of public health sciences, chief of the Division of Environment and Public Health