Dr. Margo Seltzer appointed to COVID-19 app council

When it comes to COVID-19, no one single method will stop this persistent virus. We have to fight it with every tool we have in the toolbox. And although Canadians have generally been following public health advice by staying at home, wearing masks, sanitizing and getting tested, undetected cases continue to circulate.

Here comes tech support

To help Canadians monitor their exposure to COVID-19, the Government of Canada has developed a nationwide app called COVID Alert. In addition, to ensure the app meets the highest standards in public health outcomes, technology and privacy, the government has also created an Advisory Council.

The COVID-19 Exposure Notification App Advisory Council has appointed 11 Canadians with various expertise and perspectives including health, privacy, data governance, science, and innovation. One such council member who brings an incredible wealth of experience is Dr. Margo Seltzer of the UBC computer science department. Margo is a professor, Canada 150 Research Chair in Computer Science and Cheriton Family Chair in Computer Science at the University of British Columbia. COVID App Alert logo

Margo was a co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Sleepycat Software and she serves on the Computer Science and Telecommunications Board of the (U.S.) National Academies. She is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a Fellow of the AC, and Sloan Foundation Fellow in Computer Science.

Professor Margo Seltzer, member of the COVID-19 Exposure Notification App Advisory Council

Margo is looking forward to making a contribution toward the advisory council, "I’m excited to join this group of distinguished colleagues to help keep Canadians informed as we continue to battle the pandemic.”

The council's collective expertise will ensure the app, once fully deployed, is used to its fullest advantage in conjunction with other methods being employed to battle against COVID-19.