Battling the Pandemic

The University launched more than 30 research projects to understand, prevent, treat, and overcome the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theresa Mayer, executive vice president for research and partnerships, says research on aspects of the pandemic began in early 2020.

“Many of our scientists and engineers began shifting their work to the novel coronavirus soon after it first became known, even before the first scientific articles about the virus were published in early February,” Mayer says. “Our faculty members have responded with urgency and energy to address this global pandemic.”

The research being conducted at the University falls into these general categories: understanding the virus and improving scientific methods; development of diagnostic tools; development of therapeutics; and improving current medical supplies. 

In an effort to provide more personal protective equipment to area hospitals, faculty, staff, and students manufactured PPE for health care workers across Indiana. Using test-bed manufacturing facilities at the University, they produced safety glasses, face shields, disposable connectors for ventilators, and N95 masks that can be easily disinfected. 

Purdue was also one of the first universities in the US to conduct COVID-19 testing. The Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in the College of Veterinary Medicine partnered with regional hospitals to conduct COVID-19 tests for human patients, reducing testing backlogs by returning results within 24 hours. 

Once the Food and Drug Administration gave temporary authorization for pharmacies to compound hand sanitizer due to an inadequate supply in the market and health care system, the College of Pharmacy began producing it. The sanitizer is available for purchase at the Pharmacy Building. 

“Although frequent handwashing with soap and water is recommended to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, there are times when it is not readily available,” says Nicole Noel (DP’08), director of the Purdue University Pharmacy. “We will continue to make more hand sanitizer for as long as there is a need in our community, and we continue to source supplies necessary to compound it.”