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Two Cleveland Clinic researchers part of $577 million national effort to tackle future pandemics

On the "Sound of Ideas," we talk about efforts to research and treat future pandemic viruses. [Corona Borealis Studio/shutterstock]
On the "Sound of Ideas," we talk about efforts to research and treat future pandemic viruses. [Corona Borealis Studio/shutterstock]

The COVID-19 pandemic caught most of the world by surprise, but it really shouldn't have, as there have been global pandemics before. A flu pandemic in 1956 killed two million people for instance, and some people still alive today were here for the 1918 influenza pandemic, that killed upwards of 20 million. 

But while the current pandemic is ongoing, researchers are trying to become better prepared for the next pandemic. That is a big focal point of the Cleveland Clinic's Global Center for Pathogen and Human Health Research

The Center, which was announced 18 months ago as a focal point of the Cleveland Innovation District, also received $200 million in funding from the State of Ohio and JobsOhio, with $300 million coming from the Cleveland Clinic. 

Two Clinic researchers were recently announced as part of a national effort to create drugs aimed at targeting viruses with high pandemic potential. The multidisciplinary initiative is being given a $577 million investment by the National Institutes of Health, while the local researchers will be receiving more than $3 million targeting their specific projects. 

This hour on the "Sound of Ideas," we'll be talking with these researchers, who are working on treatments for future pandemics as well as current public health threats like COVID-19, and the newest virus that has recenty been seen in 36 countries -- monkeypox. 

We learned just last week that a probable case of that sickness, has been found in Ohio.

Later this hour, we'll learn about Cleveland Heights native musician Jack Stratton who is dipping his toe into his Jewish roots by forming a new Klezmer Band. 

- Jae Jung, PhD, Director of Cleveland Clinic Global Center for Pathogen & Human Health Research 
- Shaun Stauffer, PhD, Director of Cleveland Clinic Center for Therapeutic Discovery 
- Drew Maziasz, Producer, Ideastream Public Media 
- Jack Stratton, Musician, Vulfpeck, Yiddishe Pirat

Rachel is the supervising producer for Ideastream Public Media’s morning public affairs show, the “Sound of Ideas.”