A collaborative initiative between the University of Malta and Western University, Ontario, Canada, has successfully been recently concluded. As part of this initiative, Dr Sarah Cuschieri from the Faculty of Medicine & Surgery at the University of Malta spent a week working on-site at Western University with local and international public health experts.

The visit, supported by the Internationalisation Partnership & Awards Scheme Plus (IPAS+) through the Malta Council for Science & Technology, aimed to advance epidemiology-public health research and knowledge exchange between the two institutions. 

During her time at Western University, Dr Cuschieri engaged in joint research efforts focused on key global public health challenges including Long COVID and non-communicable diseases epidemic as well as delivered a seminar to students enrolled in Western’s Master's programs in Public Health and Epidemiology. The seminar provided a platform for academic exchange and strengthened the collaborative ties between the University of Malta and Western University. 

Dr Sarah Cuschieri, a medical doctor since 2011, pursued an academic and research career at the University of Malta since 2013 before becoming an Adjunct Research Professor at Western University, Canada, in 2023. She serves as Vice-President of the chronic diseases section of EUPHA and is a top-cited scientist with expertise in non-communicable diseases, COVID-19, and medical education.

Dr Cuschieri is the principal investigator for multiple research projects, including the Horizon Europe Project RAPIDE.