Our Research, Evidence and Policy team is at the heart of the Meningitis Research Foundation, driving forward our research program, ensuring our medical and scientific advice is accurate and timely, and working on ground-breaking developments such as the Meningitis Progress Tracker and Meningococcal Genome Library.
As Linda, our Director of Research, Evidence and Policy retires, the Research, Evidence and Policy team is evolving. Liz Rodgers is stepping into the new role of Head of Research, alongside Claire Wright who is becoming Head of Evidence and Policy.
Liz is a familiar face to many of our supporters, and to our Medical and Scientific Advisory Panels. Previously Research Projects Manager at Meningitis Research Foundation, Liz has been responsible for monitoring our research program, organising our global research conferences and webinars, and developing our widely-used resources for the general public and health practitioners.
Liz spoke to us as she becomes Head of Research:
“I’m delighted to be taking on the role of Head of Research at Meningitis Research Foundation: 2022 is a really exciting time to be stepping in to this position.
My initial focus will be to develop a new research strategy which will highlight pathogen genomics, and lifetime impact as priority areas; both of which are closely aligned to the WHO Global Road Map to Defeat Meningitis by 2030.
Importantly, supporting progress in these areas will also enable vital impacts to be delivered, making meaningful differences to those affected by meningitis and contributing to our vision of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia.”
Liz’s new role will enable MRF to achieve its goals through enabling research (keeping us true to our value of being evidence-led). She will do this through a wide range of activities, from the development of our research funding program to organising our Scientific and Medical Advisory Panels, to developing our global scientific conference; research papers and presentations, providing secretariat for the Global Meningitis Genome Partnership and representing MRF on research consortium such as DIAMONDS and PEFORM.
Liz’s role will also continue to make the connection from research to patient, providing guidance to our Support Services team as they work with those directly affected by meningitis and septicaemia. In having these two focuses, MRF continues to have a direct line from the development of research and evidence to the needs of the individuals, families and communities affected by meningitis.
More on Research, Evidence and Policy