Dr. Irving W. McConnell, The McConnell Group | The Untold Stories of MBEs during COVID-19

Today we are excited to have Dr. Irving McConnell in our show. Dr. Irving McConnell is the owner of The McConnell Group and one of our MBE’s. Established in 1996 as a health sciences company, The McConnell Group (TMG) continues to focus on biomedical research and biodefense research support services while expanding into related practice areas based on client requirements.

Bio defense research is a type of scientific research focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases caused by infectious agents. It has been on the rise for years and is expected to continue to grow in the future because of the threats posed by global pandemics such as COVID-19. During this episode, we discuss how his organization has been coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and how they’ve had to pivot. This is a continuation of our special series showcasing MBEs and their “Untold Stories.”

Tune in!

Here’s What You’ll Get In This Episode

[00:20] Episode intro and a quick bio of today’s guest

[04:47] What are zoonotic diseases?

[05:33] Examples of diseases that are directly related to animals

[06:39] How the diseases are transmitted from animals to humans

[07:54] Irving’s backstory and how a Trinidad Laboratory was named after him

[13:05] His undergraduate studies

[16:04] Why completing his undergrad course at Tuskegee University was life-changing 

[23:12] Discovering Classical Swine Fever in Haiti

[26:41] Implementing the cure for these infectious diseases

[29:28] How did McConnell’s TMG group come about?

[34:21] How the group has progressed since its inception in 1996

[36:58] His biggest hurdles vs. notable wins

[48:15] How Covid 19 has affected his business and the advice he gives

[56:44] Future doors of opportunities created by the pandemic

Notable Quotes

• With all the diseases we have around the world, 70% of them are zoonotic. That means we can get them from animals.
• Sometimes, being kicked out of a company is the only way to grow in your area of gifting. Take it positively and join the dots.
• Opportunities show up in times of adversities. Never miss to spot them!

Connect with Dr. Irving McConnell

Website: https://themccgroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irving-mcconnell-340a6b4/