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How realistic are pandemic films?

Professor Deenan Pillay and Dr Jennifer Rohn discuss fictional pandemics in various films and discuss whether they’re realistic with relation to COVID-19.

16 April 2020

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The article published in VICE explores how close we are to the dystopias depicted in pandemic films.

Division researcher and UCL Pro-Vice-Provost International, Professor Deenan Pillay, and Dr Jennifer Rohn (UCL Division of Medicine) provide a fact check on three pandemic films - 'Outbreak', 'Contagion' and '28 Days Later'.

Links

  • Read the full article on the VICE website
  • Profile: Professor Deenan Pillay
  • Twitter: @DeenanDPillay
  • Profile: Dr Jennifer Rohn
  • UCL Division of Medicine

Image

Secret Cinema presents 28 Days Later. Credit: Mike Massaro via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Highlights in Medical Sciences

Millions could benefit from faster prostate cancer scan
healthy prostate scan

Research

Millions could benefit from faster prostate cancer scan

Results of the PRIME trial involving UCL Medical Sciences researchers have found that a quicker, cheaper MRI scan was just as accurate at diagnosing prostate cancer as the current 30-40 minute scan.

10 September 2025

UCL Cancer Institute awarded Athena SWAN Gold
Athena Swan Gold Award

Award

UCL Cancer Institute awarded Athena SWAN Gold

The UCL Cancer Institute has been awarded Athena SWAN Gold in recognition of its sustained commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education and research.

20 May 2025

New Dean of Medical Sciences appointed
Professor Emma Morris

Announcement

New Dean of Medical Sciences appointed

Internationally recognised clinician scientist, Professor Emma Morris, will take up the role of Dean of UCL's Faculty of Medical Sciences in August 2025.

28 February 2025

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