EPIC (Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium) - Institutional Strategic Initiatives

EPIC (Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium)

The Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium (EPIC) harnesses the full potential of Toronto’s diverse community, at U of T and its partner hospitals, of clinicians, scientists, engineers, and public health and policy-focused infectious disease experts to converge on innovative approaches that ensure future emerging infections do not wreak devastation. Anchored by U of T’s Infectious Disease Laboratories (IDL), Toronto’s only Combined Containment Level 3 (C-CL3) unit for the study of high-risk human pathogens, as well as the CL2+ aerosol containment facility and Biobank, EPIC’s virtual research and training ecosystem aims to be the leading initiative on infectious disease research and training from discovery to policy, a magnet for world-leading talent, and an authority on infectious disease-focused education and science-based advocacy.

EPIC team

EPIC events

2025 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Days

Monday, May 26, 2025

Tuesday May 27, 2025

The annual U of T Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Days returns on May 26 – 27, 2025. Call for abstract submissions opens on April 9, 2025. The event is free and open for all to attend.

Learn more about the EPIC (Emerging and Pandemic Infections Consortium)

2025 Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Days

The annual U of T Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research Days returns on May 26 – 27, 2025. Call for abstract submissions opens on April 9, 2025. The event is free and open for all to attend.

U of T launches rapid research response for highly pathogenic avian influenza

February 13, 2025

EPIC is supporting five projects that aim to understand the fundamental biology of bird flu viruses, including their potential for human transmission. The projects also seek to develop new methods for detection and outbreak management.

Second annual EPIC Symposium on October 17

October 1, 2024

This full day event brings together Toronto’s infectious diseases research community and some of the world’s foremost experts to meet, network and discuss important topics related to infectious diseases and global health. The symposium features talks by nationally and internationally renowned infectious diseases researchers.

U of T-anchored hospital network among leading life sciences research hubs, report finds

November 20, 2023

The University of Toronto and its partner hospitals are propelling the Toronto region as a leading global hub for life sciences research – but its success is at risk from underinvestment. That’s among the findings of a new report that examines the strengths and challenges within the Toronto Academic Health Science Network (TAHSN) – which comprises U of T […]

Justin Vigar, pictured here in a lab in South America, is developing paper-based diagnostics like the paper chip shown on the right, where each dot represents a different test (supplied image)

U of T PhD student uses synthetic biology to create low-cost diagnostic tools

October 26, 2023

A relatively new field of research, synthetic biology applies engineering principles to recreate fully functional biological systems. Justin Vigar, the recipient of a doctoral award from EPIC, believes it can improve the health and lives of people around the world.

Research may explain why men are more likely to experience severe cases of COVID-19

October 4, 2023

Haibo Zhang, a researcher at Unity Health Toronto and U of T, led pre-clinical research that suggests why males are more likely to experience worse outcomes from COVID-19, opening the door to potential new treatments.