UMass Amherst COVID-19 Response Teams
A large and diverse group of scientists at UMass Amherst have aligned to create ‘Response Teams’ to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. These teams bring together expertise from engineering, the life sciences, nursing, computer science, and public health & health sciences. They are addressing regional unmet needs, such as a lack of enough personal protective devices (PPDs), and a lack of specific reagents needed for COVID-19 testing. Some of the efforts mounted by these COVID-19 Response Teams are highlighted below.
Open Standard Respirator Collaboration
Rapid Prototyping for Open Source N95 Design
The UMass ADDFab core facility is rapidly printing prototype parts and prototype molds in collaboration with Cofab Design in Holyoke, MA
WiFiTrace
Contact tracing in office and campus settings
WiFiTrace is a network-centric contact tracing method that uses enterprise WiFi networks for contact tracing in office and campus settings.
'Smart Swab' Detector
COVID-19 Testing Swab
UMass Chemists mobilize quickly aiming to create color-changing swabs to detect exposure of COVID-19.
UMass Face Shield
Face Shield for Rapid Production
The personal protection equipment (PPE) shortage motivated the development of a face shield that can be produced using laser or die cutting.
UMass VTM
COVID-19 Testing Media
UMass researchers are working to streamline production of viral transport medium (VTM) for SARS-CoV-2 clinical testing.
IALS COVID-19 Town Hall and Q&A-Recap
COVID-19 Forecast Hub
More accurate infectious-disease projections
The Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence team at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is developing a COVID-19 forecast hub by unifying multiple models in an effort to produce a more accurate picture of the potential impacts of the novel coronavirus.
UMass FluSense Predicts Trends
UMass Device analyzes coughing and crowd size
FluSense, a compact device about the size of a large dictionary, uses artificial intelligence (AI) to predict trends in infectious respiratory illnesses, such as influenza, by detecting cough sounds and counting people in public spaces.
Digital Media Lab 3D Printed Face Shields
UMass Amherst Libraries leading the production
Working as part of the UMass Amherst COVID-19 Response Teams, the Digital Media Lab in the W.E.B Du Bois Library has been leading efforts to produce 3D printed personal protective equipment.
UMass Amherst College of Engineering Upgrades Ventilators
Analysis, design and testing lead to upgrade of control cables and power sources
Baystate Health officials contact Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty to help upgrade control cables and power systems for ventilators.
Relevant Publications
Societal Impact of COVID-19
Read how the coronavirus affects us as a globalized society.
Research Funding Opportunities
Research to impact COVID-19
Information about funding opportunities related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) will be added to this page as they become available.
N95 Facial Masks
Protective face masks can be safely reused
UMass researchers show that sterilized face masks will protect our health care providers who are working under extraordinary conditions.
PPE Donations
UMass donates to area health providers & first responders
As part of the ongoing statewide and national response to COVID 19.
Do Home Remedies Work?
UMass Virologist Mandy Muller Separates Fact from Fiction
Answering common questions about COVID19, The Muller Report, on local radio channels 93.9 & 101.5 The River.
Collaborating on Treatment
Companies team up to develop treatment
UMass alumus from WuXi Biologics is partnering with Vir Biotechnology to develop a coronavirus treatment.
