Annual Review 2015/16
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Annual Review 2015/16 Oxford researchers are major contributors to the global response to the Zika epidemic Contents 1 Vice-Chancellor’s foreword 2 Zika research 4 Humanities 6 Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences 8 Medical Sciences 10 Social Sciences 12 Education 14 Gardens, libraries and museums 16 Oxford and the community 18 Development and alumni 20 Equality and diversity This image 22 Honours and awards Microsculpture exhibition – see page 15 26 New appointments Front cover Illustration of Zika virus in blood 28 Financial overview – see page 2 Vice-Chancellor’s foreword 2015/2016 has been quite a year for Oxford, for higher education generally, for Britain, and for my family and me personally. The highlight was Oxford’s number 1 ranking by the Times Higher Education Global Rankings. This is the first time any British university has achieved the top spot and is a wonderful recognition of the extraordinary research and teaching that takes place here. 3 British universities were ranked in the top 10 globally and the UK was home to 6 of the top 10 European universities. While Scotland has decided to remain in the Union, Britain has decided to leave the European Union and my family and I have moved from Scotland to Oxford. Not a day has gone by since I arrived on 1 January 2016 that I have not marvelled at my good fortune in belonging to a dynamic, cosmopolitan, meritocratic community of brilliant academics, committed professionals and bright and aspiring students. In the pages that follow we have sought to capture just some of the extraordinary work that takes place across our four Divisions of Humanities, Social Sciences, Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences, and Medical Sciences. We also provide a glimpse into our museums, libraries and gardens, our role in the local community and our efforts to enhance the diversity of our students and staff. We provide an overview of core information about the University, our priorities, finances and relationships. We also provide evidence of the remarkable support we received from committed alumni and friends who generously support our work. In these uncertain times we take great pride in our experts, whatever their nationality, and we derive strength from our belief in the enduring value of the research and teaching we do and the values that we share. Professor Louise Richardson Vice-Chancellor ANNUAL REVIEWANNUAL 2015/16 1 PAGE RESEARCH, INNOVATION AND GLOBAL IMPACT Zika research The Zika crisis was one of the biggest news stories of 2016. Was it linked to the birth defect microcephaly? Would it disrupt the Rio Olympics? How far would the virus travel? As a world leader in medicine and life sciences, Oxford was at the forefront of efforts to understand the Zika virus. Multidisciplinary research across the Computer Medical Sciences and Mathematical, illustration of Physical and Life Sciences Divisions the Zika virus gave new insights into this mosquito- borne virus, which had continued to spread – primarily across the Americas – since its outbreak in Brazil in 2015. While for most people Zika is a mild infection involving symptoms such as fever and headache, its potential link to microcephaly – an abnormal smallness of the head that may harm a baby’s brain development – was alarming for women and their partners expecting a baby or thinking about pregnancy. To date, 2,298 cases of microcephaly and/or malformations of the In March this year, shortly after the nervous system potentially associated with Zika virus infection have WHO declared the Zika crisis to be been reported in 28 countries worldwide. The catastrophic impact a public health emergency, it was on the lives of these mothers and infants is difficult to appreciate, announced that three Oxford teams as indeed is the anxiety created for hundreds of thousands of would begin research projects focused pregnant women in the affected regions. Health professionals are on the virus, backed by UK government struggling to cope with the consequences. The WHO may have funding released to help tackle the declared that there is no longer a Public Health Emergency of disease. International Concern, but the virus will continue to cause damage. Professor Stephen Kennedy from the Concerted action is needed to address this human tragedy. Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Stephen Kennedy, Professor of Reproductive Medicine and Head, Gynaecology leads a multidisciplinary Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology team that aims to create an online platform for scientists and clinicians TIMELINE 1947 1952 1960s 2007 May –1980s 2015 Scientists identify a The first human cases Human cases are confirmed The first large outbreak Brazilian authorities new virus in a rhesus of Zika are detected in via blood tests, and the of Zika takes place on confirm Zika virus is monkey in the Zika Uganda and Tanzania. virus spreads through an island in Micronesia, circulating in the country, forest of Uganda. They Twelve years later, a equatorial Africa and Asia. affecting 73% of residents. having previously reported name it the Zika virus researcher working in Decades later, researchers A year later, the first a suspicious illness and trace it to the Aedes Uganda reports having identify two distinct sexually transmitted affecting thousands of africanus mosquito. Zika fever, confirming lineages of the virus: case of Zika is recorded, people in north-eastern the virus causes ‘mild’ African and Asian. involving a US scientist. states. Within months, human illness. Further outbreaks occur a number of other in other groups of Pacific countries in the Americas islands in 2013–14. confirm cases. ANNUAL REVIEWANNUAL 2015/16 2–3 PAGES to share images of foetal and newborn At the same time, researchers in Network (GHN) and the International heads – critical for improving the Department of Zoology provided the Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging understanding of how Zika causes first genome analysis of the outbreak, Infection Consortium (ISARIC), were brain damage, and for developing demonstrating that the virus arose in the instrumental in providing portals better screening tests. Americas from a single introduction, that would, among other things, share Professor Kennedy and Professor estimated to have taken place between crucial data on the outbreak and identify José Villar also led an international May and December 2013, more than research priorities. Professor Trudie project, published via a series of papers 12 months prior to the first detection of Lang, Head of the GHN and a member in The Lancet medical journal by the Zika in Brazil. Study author Professor of ISARIC, explained how the Ebola INTERGROWTH-21st Consortium, Oliver Pybus described how this crisis demonstrated that this gathering which produced a set of charts to enable estimated date of origin coincided with and sharing of information could be healthcare professionals worldwide an increase in air passengers to Brazil carried out even more efficiently to give to assess the weight, length and head from other Zika-affected areas, as well as researchers the best chance possible in circumference of newborns. The charts, reported outbreaks in the Pacific Islands. the fight against Zika. now adopted by WHO, are gestational- The Oxford researchers worked with The Zika crisis is far from over, with age specific and can be applied to all scientists from around the world an increase in cases recently reported newborns, regardless of race or ethnicity. on the study, including many from across south-east Asia, bringing the total And, in the context of the Zika virus leading institutions in Brazil. number of countries affected to well epidemic, they provide a vital frontline Also in the spring, researchers from the over 70. As the virus spreads, Oxford tool to screen for microcephaly. Department of Zoology reported that researchers will continue to lead the In 2015 a previously the southeastern United States, including way – across a host of disciplines – in unknown connection Meanwhile, Professor Zoltán Molnár between Zika infection from the Department of Physiology, much of Texas through to Florida, had finding new ways to understand and in pregnant women ideal conditions for the spread of Zika. tackle the virus. and microcephaly in Anatomy and Genetics is carrying newborns was reported out research in mice to explore at the Lead author Dr Janey Messina said the cellular level how Zika might cause new maps revealed priority regions microcephaly, adding to science’s where authorities should concentrate understanding of the fundamental their efforts. A few months later, the first processes that could be targeted to locally transmitted cases in the mainland prevent the virus causing this serious United States were reported in Florida. growth deformity. For many scientists, the Zika outbreak And Dr George Warimwe, now of the bore striking similarities to the Ebola Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global crisis. Oxford’s infectious disease Health, is studying the transmission of specialists applied some of the lessons Zika in an area of East Africa, providing learned from Ebola to help support vital information on how the disease medics and other researchers to get could spread. ahead of the new pathogen. Two Oxford- based organisations, the Global Health Oct Feb Aug Sept 2015 2016 2016 2016 Brazil reports an unusual increase in the WHO declares that the recent The Olympic Games take place Based on a review of the evidence, number of cases of microcephaly – a association of Zika infection with in Rio de Janeiro, with a number WHO concludes that Zika virus rare condition affecting babies’ head clusters of microcephaly and other of athletes – mainly golfers infection during pregnancy is a size – among newborns. The following neurological disorders constitutes and tennis players – pulling out cause of microcephaly, and that month, the country declares a public a Public Health Emergency of over concerns about Zika. The the virus is also a trigger of health emergency amid a further rise International Concern.