University of Limerick professor helps guide NPHET in Covid-19 battle Reporter: '); '); A PROFESSOR at the University of Limerick who has contributed to the work being done by the National Public Health Emergency Team for over a year says he’s optimistic that Ireland will be in a much better place by the late summer. Professor James Gleeson, the acting head of the Department of Mathematics & Statistics at UL, has been a member of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group (IEMAC) since it was established in March 2020. With more than 20 members, the group provides statistical and mathematical modelling support and advice to the Chief Medical Officer and NPHET.