ICARS is working in partnership with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to reduce antimicrobial resistance by co-developing projects that inform policy and practice. To ensure that the project review and evaluation process involves experienced and independent experts across the One Health spectrum, ICARS has established a Technical Advisory Forum (TAF). The ICARS TAF was established in the fall of 2020, and the first project proposal was reviewed that same year. In early 2021 the TAF convened to kick off the work to advise on upcoming projects.
The TAF brings together world-leading research expertise across human, animal and environmental health and takes a multidisciplinary approach. The members have knowledge and experience across pharmacology, microbiology, infectious disease, anthropology, economics, veterinary sciences, aquaculture, environmental sciences, health systems, amongst other areas.
The main task of the TAF is to evaluate project proposals across areas such as feasibility, scientific rigour and potential for long-term impact. The proposals are formulated by local researchers under the auspice of the responsible ministries in the applicant LMICs, with support from ICARS. Before final approval, the TAF will provide recommendations regarding funding and mechanisms to optimise projects for strong implementation, high impact and sustainability. The TAF will also provide independent scientific advice across other activities in ICARS as relevant.
The TAF is chaired by Prof Nicholas Feasey, Professor of Microbiology at the Malawi Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme. The wider membership of the TAF is listed below, and full bios are available here.
- Prof Clare Chandler, Director of the Antimicrobial Resistance Centre, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK
- Dr Sujith J Chandy, Director of ReAct Asia Pacific and Professor of Clinical Pharmacology at Christian Medical College Vellore, India
- Prof Ulrika Enemark, Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, Aarhus University, Denmark
- Prof Eric Fèvre, Chair of Veterinary Infectious Disease at the University of Liverpool and joint appointment at the International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya/UK
- Prof Margaret Gyapong, Director, Institute of Health Research, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana
- Dr Chadag Vishnumurthy Mohan, Principal Scientist, Sustainable Aquaculture, WorldFish, Penang, Malaysia
- Prof Iruka Okeke, Professor and MRC/DfID African Research Leader, Pharmaceutical Microbiology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria
- Prof Jonathan Rushton, Professor of Animal Health and Food Systems Economics at the University of Liverpool, UK
- Prof Barth F. Smets, Professor of Environmental Microbiology, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Prof Feasey, Chair of the ICARS TAF, stated:
“The TAF is an exciting addition to ICARS and a great asset to provide independent advice on project proposals and scientific activities across ICARS as the organisation continues to grow. I look forward to collaborating with my esteemed colleagues and with ICARS.”
Dr. Robert Skov, ICARS Scientific Director shared his views on the value of the TAF:
“ICARS is thrilled and fortunate to have the valuable advice and input from this diverse group of experts. Their contribution will ensure that ICARS projects benefit from an external scientific review of the highest quality. We look forward to engaging with the TAF over the coming years.”