Our Co-Applicants An interinstitutional team of Co-Applicants combining unparalleled knowledge and experience to deliver first-class training in One Health while staying representative of gender, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity. Internationally Recognized Expertise in pathogen diagnostics; vaccines and immunotherapies; drugs; evolution of antibiotic, insecticide, and drug resistance; and host-pathogen ecology and evolution. Professional Practitioners in animal and human health, nutrition, and engineering, with technical skills in integrative data analysis, modeling, policy development and analysis, leadership and administration, and academic and stakeholder collaborations. Award-Winning Instructors in One Health curriculum development, educational pedagogy, training, and publication. Sebastien Faucher, PhD Water-borne Pathogens Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University Read More Christopher Fernandez Prada, PhD Molecular Parasitology Professeur agrégé, Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal Read More Lawrence Goodridge, PhD Food-borne Pathogen Dynamics Professor, Department of Food Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph Read More Emily Jenkins, DVM, PhD Parasitic Zoonoses Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Read More Qian (Vivian) Liu, PhD Viral Zoonoses Assistant Professor, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University Read More Maarten Voordouw, PhD Parasitology, Disease Ecology Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Read More Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl ACVIM Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph Read More Jianguo (Jeff) Xia, PhD Large Data Analysis Assistant Professor, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University Read More

Back Maarten Voordouw, PhD Parasitology, Disease Ecology Assistant Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Maarten Voordouw is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Saskatchewan. The causative agent of Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi , often consists of many genetically distinct strains. One of my main research interests is understanding how this strain diversity is maintained in nature. Our research is currently focused on three topics: Variation in host tissue abundance, transmission, and pathology among strains of B. burgdorferi ; Ability of maternal antibodies to protect offspring from infection with B. burgdorferi ; and Multiple-strain infections and interactions between strains in the host or tick vector. Learn More

The OHAP program provides successful applicants with renewable stipends for the duration of their training, recognizing the financial barriers to collaboration with industry and government. Supporting our Students Recognizing the financial barriers to collaboration with industry and government, the OHAP program provides successful applicants with renewable stipends for the duration of their training. These stipends are designed to allow our trainees to participate in otherwise unfunded internships and collaborative research placements while acknowledging the substantial time commitment expected from our trainees. Eligible applicants can receive total stipends of up to $22,000 per year , for the duration of their training (2 years for Master's applicants, 3 years for PhD applicants). Applicants facing financial difficulties may request additional needs-based funding, depending on their financial circumstances and the resources available. To be considered for needs-based funding, please contact the Associate Director . Apply Now Funding Options Students may apply under one of three general funding categories. Alternative funding structures can be negotiated between your supervisor and the Program Director , on a case-by-case basis, as long as the total stipend amount equals at least $22,000 per year for eligible students. Note: Successful applicants must disclose any additional awards or other funding received after their application submission date. In an effort to distribute our resources more equitably, applicants with total annual funding exceeding $40,000, not including stipend matching by their supervisors, may have their stipends reduced . Notwithstanding, applicants in unique and extenuating circumstances may contest any reduction to their stipends by contacting the Associate Director . Co-Funding (Stipend Matching) Applicants at participating Universities (McGill University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Guelph, and l’Université de Montréal) are eligible to receive $11,000 per year from OHAP for the duration of their training. This funding must be fully matched by their supervisors for a total stipend of $22,000 per year for the duration of their training. Note: Supervisors who are unable to fulfill their stipend-matching obligations may be asked not to put forward future applicants, on a case-by-case basis. Full Funding (Indigenous Applicants) Self-identified Indigenous (First Nation, Métis, or Inuk) applicants at participating Universities (McGill University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Guelph, and l’Université de Montréal) are eligible to receive $22,000 per year from OHAP for the duration of their training, with no requirement for stipend matching by their supervisors. Note: Supervisors with sufficient resources are encouraged to provide further funding to their students in addition to the OHAP stipend. Unfunded (Non-Stipend Applicants) Applicants at non-participating Universities or with prior funding exceeding a total of $40,000 , not including stipend matching by their supervisor, are welcome to participate in the OHAP program but are not eligible for OHAP funding . Non-stipend applicants are accepted in addition to applicants in other funding categories and are not subjected to the same level of competitive scrutiny. Rejected applicants may also request to be considered in this category if they are able to receive alternative funding. All applicants, regardless of their funding category, must satisfy the minimum standards described in our Application Portal . Note: Applicants at non-participating Universities may not be eligible for travel expense reimbursement and are encouraged to find alternative funding for any costs associated with required travel (e.g. travel to and from our Annual Policy Challenge).

OHAP is the product of cooperation between diverse leaders, experts, and stakeholders, all working together to help our trainees expand their knowledge, skills, and experience so that they can go on to devise transformative solutions to existing OH challenges. One Team Against Pathogens OHAP is the product of cooperation between diverse leaders, experts, and stakeholders, all working together to help our trainees expand their knowledge, skills, and experience so that they can go on to devise transformative solutions to existing OH challenges. Jennifer Ronholm, PhD Program Director Dr. Jennifer Ronholm is the Canada Research Chair in Agricultural Microbiology, an Associate Professor, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of McGill University, and the primary applicant and Program Director of NSERC CREATE in One Health Against Pathogens (OHAP). Dr. Ronholm’s research interests include using the latest next-generation sequencing techniques to study the overall intestinal microbiome of ruminants, the effect of feed and husbandry on the ruminant microbiome, and if certain microbial populations are correlated with higher-quality and improved-safety animal food-products. The long-term overarching goal of this research is to understand and harness the power of the ruminant microbiome to generate healthier cattle herds. Learn More Brooklyn Frizzle Associate Program Director Brooklyn is a recent graduate in Microbiology and Immunology with experience in multidisciplinary undergraduate research and nonprofit administration. Their research focuses included asteroidian chronobiology, Poecilia reticulata behavioural studies, and Arthrobacter globiformis bacteriophage discovery and characterization. As Associate Director, Brooklyn acts as a resource person for co-applicants, collaborators, and trainees, ensuring their mutual success. They oversee all aspects of the program including its training mission, funding and budgeting, recruitment, communications, official reporting, and event planning. Contact Brooklyn Interdisciplinary, Interinstitutional OHAP is a collaboration between ten co-applicants from McGill University, the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Guelph, and l’Université de Montréal. Co-Applicants Partners Against Pathogens Our expanding network of government and nonprofit partners helps shape our training goals and approaches while providing advice and opportunities to our trainees. Through their involvement, our collaborators bridge gaps between academia and the public sector, encouraging sustainable inter-sector cooperation in one health. Collaborators Government & Non-Profit Office of the Chief Science Advisor Fisheries and Oceans Canada Tahatikonhsontóntie'

We pair the discipline-based research skills our trainees acquire during their traditional thesis research work with the advanced systems thinking needed to develop, evaluate, and modify context-specific policies to prevent and control the spread of FWVZ pathogens. Seeking One-Health Leaders Our goal is to provide Canada with public health strategists and researchers, leaders, and regulators with a system-level understanding of FWVZ pathogens and honed skills for developing, evaluating, and sustaining contextual and holistic policies to strengthen Canada’s capacity to control FWVZ pathogens and provide global leadership in the fight against One Health crises. We pair the discipline-based research skills our trainees acquire during their traditional thesis research work with the advanced systems thinking needed to develop, evaluate, and modify context-specific policies to prevent and control the spread of FWVZ pathogens. Non-academic mentoring by government and industry professionals prepares our trainees for careers outside of academia while training in interdisciplinary management, communication, and political processes equips them to lead the development of scientifically, socially, and environmentally sound public policy. Apply Now One Health Course Trainees guide learning in our flipped classroom, exploring topics like One Health and Systems Thinking, determinants of health, integrated technical case studies, and outbreak investigation and control. Skill Development Studios Facilitated by government, industry, academic, and Indigenous health leaders, our immersive workshops provide technical and professional training critical to core One Health competencies. Virtual Forum Series Invited health leaders discuss pressing and controversial issues and debate solutions in a series of virtual forums moderated by trainees. Pioneering research conducted by our members is also showcased. Annual Policy Challenge Our PhD trainees pitch policy solutions to real-world health challenges in case studies judged by leading stakeholders, working with MSc. trainees trasked with crafting public outreach strategies to promote their proposals. Sample Timetables See our Schedule MSc Program: OHAP Course 3hrs/week Studios ~ 3-6hrs each Complete 10 total Forums 2hrs each Policy Challenge 5-day retreat in July Year 1 Fall Winter Summer Year 2 Fall Winter Summer 3 1 1 2 2 1 PhD Program: OHAP Course 3hrs/week Studios ~ 3-6hrs each Complete 15 total Forums 2hrs each Policy Challenge 5-day retreat in July Year 1 Fall Winter Summer Year 2 Fall Winter Summer Year 3 Fall Winter Summer 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 C I Learning Objectives Explain OH principles and concepts; apply systems thinking for holistic understanding of FWVZ pathogens; identify social and biophysical determinants that underlie FWVZ transmission and control; investigate FWVZ outbreaks; pinpoint entry points and indirect positive and negative effects of control measures Describe how to detect pathogens in water, food and tissue samples; interpret integrative analysis of diverse biological, geographical and social datasets, including big “omics” data; devise creative solutions Conduct situational and SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, Threat) analyses Participate in, build, and manage transdisciplinary teams; network with colleagues across disciplines Facilitate debates and discussions; provide constructive criticism; communicate risk to the public, media, and policy makers Examine and reflect on personal biases; demonstrate cultural and situational sensitivity with local communities and stakeholders Write crisp, compelling proposals, reports, policy briefs, and op-eds Identify policy gaps; weigh evidence from diverse stakeholders; align policy implementation with desired outcomes; recommend, iteratively monitor, assess, and modify policies C-Course; S-Studios; P-Policy Challenge; F-Forums; I-Trainee Initiatives S P F I S I P S I P S I F P S I P S I P I

The OHAP program provides successful applicants with renewable stipends for the duration of their training, recognizing the financial barriers to collaboration with industry and government. One Health, One Year A look back at OHAP's first year in action. From the moment our funding was received in May 2023, One Health Against Pathogens was taken from a grant proposal to a full-scale experiential training program in only four months. From the beginning, our first year in operation was lovingly known as our "learning year" — our opportunity to adjust and refine our activities to reflect the realities of running a multi-year, multi-million dollar training program spanning four major universities. Though it was not without its hiccups, our first year was also a time of great success. We developed a meaningful visual identity and robust web platform, delivered on all of our major programming, and attracted partnerships from the Smithsonian Institution to the highest rungs of the federal government. As a testament to our continued dedication to learning and improving, an exhaustive report and recommendations were prepared, outlining our plans to grow our programming, internal organization, communications, outreach, and recruitment. This report was largely based on the feedback and suggestions of our first cohort of trainees. We thank them for their endless patience, encouragement, and understanding. Here you can read our full Feedback Report and Recommendations Year One by the Numbers A snapshot of our first year, detailing our progress in recruitment and programming. Recruitment Our first cohort counted 17 students, with 13 more recruited for the 2024 cohort. An unexpected abundance of non-stipend and priorly funded applicants means we will likely be able to exceed our recruitment quotas, offering more opportunities to interested students than we initially hoped for. Skill Development Studios 11 skill development studios were offered throughout 2023-2024, with 86% average participation. Non-Academic Mentorships For our first cohort, 100% of our trainees were paired with non-academic mentors from the public sector. These mentors meet with trainees regularly to help guide their professional paths, exposing them to careers outside of academia. Our First Annual Policy Challenge Our first Policy Challenge was a year-long activity, culminating in a week-long retreat hosted at McGill's Gault Nature Reserve. The event featured speakers from organizations like Health Canada, the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, alongside prominent voices from academia. The last day of the retreat was punctuated by final presentations from our PhD and Masters students, showing off their policy proposals and promotional media. Policy Solutions Three teams of our PhD trainees were asked to propose policy solutions to the following question: An effective human vaccine against Lyme disease has existed since the mid 1990's. However, the anti-vaccine movement and subsequent disappointing vaccine uptake led the manufacturer to discontinue its commercial production. Thousands of people are now needlessly suffering from Lyme disease and symptoms associated with post-Lyme disease. While new vaccines are currently in stage three clinical testing, some fear they may meet the same fate. What public policies need to be put in place in Canada to ensure access to safe and effective vaccines against Lyme disease for those who want to be immunized? You can find the policy briefs they created to pitch their proposals here: Lyme Disease Vaccine for Canadians: Policy Brief Ivan Drahun, Alexandra Foley-Eby, Cody Koloski, & Yuxiao Lu Lyme Disease Prevention: Enhancing Vaccine Access and Public Awareness Initiatives Gillian Cameron, Fiona Hui, Natalia Lorenc, & Alla Yushchenko Towards Trust: Policy Initiatives for Vaccine Confidence through Transparency and Education Audrey Corbeil, Rafael Fernandes Ferreira, Cody Malone, & Taylor Volappi Promotional Media Our Masters' students were tasked with creating promotional media, with three students paired with PhD teams to promote their policy proposals and one student promoting Lyme awareness. Promotional Media: Towards Trust Giuliana Matta Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Vaccine for Canadians Sarah Donald Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Prevention Yuxin Hu Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Awareness Paul Glenn Student Spotlight Highlighting trainees who went above and beyond in their first year. Taylor Volappi Trainee Representative to our Steering Committee Cody Koloski Virtual Discussion Forum Organizer ☆ Perfect Attendance ☆ Gillian Cameron Audrey Corbeil Rafael Fernandes Ferreira Natalia Lorenc

Back Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl ACVIM Veterinary Internal Medicine Professor, Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph Dr. Weese is a veterinary internist and a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He is a Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Director of the University of Guelph Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses, and Chief of Infection Control at the Ontario Veterinary College Teaching Hospital. He is also a member of the Tripartite Global Leaders Group on AMR, Chair of the WHO Advisory Group for Critically Important Antimicrobials in Human Medicine and runs the infectious disease website WormsAndGermsBlog . He has a focus on infectious diseases, particularly emerging diseases, antimicrobial resistance and diseases and the human/animal interface. Learn More

Our Collaborators Our wide pool of academic and non-academic collaborators contribute to the OHAP program through guest lectures, training in Studios, planning and implementing our Policy Challenges, speaking in our Forums, and mentoring our trainees. Some have also expressed interest in hosting interns, giving critical public-sector experience to our trainees. Marie Breton, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada Dr. Marie Breton is the Section Head of the Standard Setting Section, developing policies to minimize food risks, advising consumers on food practices, and evaluating microbiological methods. Recent work includes the revision of HC’s Listeria Policy (2023), risk analysis for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and microbiological criteria review for the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. Aime Brown, DVM Animal Health Strategic Planning and Research Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Climate change risks are complex and interconnected, and impacts can propagate through natural and human systems in ways that are difficult to anticipate. My interest is to study these interconnections through a One Health approach that collaboratively incorporates Indigenous knowledge to better equip Canada to anticipate, prevent and respond to complex challenges. Catherine Carrillo, PhD Science Branch, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Dr. Carrillo's research program is focused on the application of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) technologies for the detection, identification and characterization of foodborne bacterial pathogens. Dr. Carrillo currently leads the sequencing component of the interdepartmental Genomics Research and Development Initiative project on antimicrobial resistance (GRDI-AMR). Maud Carron, DVM, MSc, PhD Animal Health Risk Assessment & Intelligence Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency I work on intersectoral risk assessments topics, such as HPAI pandemic and human health risks. I was involved in developing OH capacity-building frameworks with the World Organisation for Animal Health/World Health Organization and in projects related to climate change and animal health. Angela Catford, MASc Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada Angela is the Section Head of the Health Risk Assessment Section, assessing microbial contaminants in food and identifying their risk to human health. This section supports the management of food safety incidents and completes risk analysis projects, monitoring food safety intelligence signals and emerging issues and analysing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). Brent Dixon, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada Dr. Brent Dixon is a research scientist in the Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada. His research focuses on the detection and molecular characterization of food-borne parasites. His laboratory uses a variety of technologies for concentrating and detecting these parasites in foods, as well as in environmental and clinical samples. Mélissa Duplessis, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dr. Duplessis is a research scientist in smart and sustainable dairy production, with a special focus in B-vitamin and trace mineral nutrition, based at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre. Through a One Health approach, her research program aims to develop knowledge for sustainable dairy production and cow and calf health optimization, helping dairy nutritionists and producers. Shannon French, PhD Animal Health Strategic Planning and Research Section, Canadian Food Inspection Agency My interest is in the geographic and environmental epidemiology of pathogens like HPAI that exist at the interface of domestic animals and wildlife, particularly those with zoonotic potential. Understanding the affects of anthropogenic environmental change can help to prepare Canadians for novel, emerging and expanding diseases moving forward. Alexander Gill, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada I head the Verotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) laboratory at BMH. My research areas include the development of methods for the detection of VTEC in food samples, VTEC virulence genes, the potential for VTEC to survive in foods, and decontamination technologies. Jessica P. Gillung, PhD Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University My research focuses on the evolution, ecology, and natural history of insects. My lab has pioneered a data-driven and specimen-focused approach to increase our knowledge of insect biology and develop tools to understand the mechanisms underlying the maintenance and loss of insect biodiversity. Hongsheng Huang, PhD Ottawa Laboratory, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Dr. Hongsheng Huang’s research mainly focuses on the development of methods for the detection and molecular characterization of food-borne bacterial pathogens, and antimicrobial resistance genes in food and environment. His lab uses various approaches including bacterial isolation, molecular and immunological detection and genomic characterization. Steven Leadbeater, MSc St. Andrews Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada Lead Biologist on the aquatic animal health program with Fisheries and Oceans Canada in New Brunswick. Currently collaborating with research team with Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (AAFC) and industry on improving disease resilience of farmed Atlantic salmon and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in through One Health approach, including the use of probiotics. Christine Liu, PhD Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Collaborate with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) on improving disease resilience of Atlantic salmon and mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in Canadian finfish aquaculture through One Health approach, including the use of probiotics. Neda Nasheri, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada Neda is a research scientist and the head of the food virology laboratory at Health Canada. She is also an adjunct professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa. Her research interests and projects include detection, genomic characterization, and inactivation of foodborne viruses. Francisco Olea Popelka, PhD Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University I was one of the main authors of the Zoonotic Tuberculosis Road Map, and continue to lead global efforts to control bovine, human, and zoonotic TB with multiple institutions globally. Since 2021, I have worked as part of the Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development (APCAT), implementing a dog’s Rabies vaccination campaign in Bali, Indonesia. Patrick Owen, PhD Québec Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research Capacity Enhancement Coordinator for the Québec Network Environment for Indigenous Health Research, which aims to improve Indigenous Peoples' health through the assertion of Indigenous understandings of health, fostering innovative community-based and scientifically excellent research. Patrick is also a lecturer at the School of Nutrition, specializing in ethnobotany and evolutionary health. Franco Pagotto, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada Dr. Pagotto’s lab studies foodborne pathogens Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sp. , including microbiological hazard identification and risk assessment, molecular typing and genomic characterization, and pathogenesis and virulence determinants. Dr. Pagotto is a PulseNet Canada steering committee member and Listeriosis Reference Centre for Canada co-director. Renée Petri, PhD Science and Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Dr. Renée Petri is a research scientist working on the rumen microbiome and digestive system of livestock animals, based at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Dr. Petri's research program aims to improve dairy cattle health, nutrient utilization, and environmental performance by understanding and altering microbiome function. Reza Salavati, PhD Institute of Parasitology, McGill University The lab investigates gene regulation in trypanosomatid pathogens implicated in global health in response to environmental shifts like varying hosts. The primary objective is identifying therapeutic targets to mitigate these pathogens' adverse health impacts worldwide. Dor Salomon, PhD Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University My lab studies bacterial toxins and secretion systems, focusing on their effect on interbacterial interactions, anti-phage defenses, and virulence. We work on human, plant, and aquatic pathogens, such as Vibrio, Aeromonas, and Pantoea. Marilyn Scott, PhD Institute of Parasitology, McGill University We recently demonstrated that intestinal nematode infection of mice promotes earlier neurological development in uninfected offspring, and that prior exposure to a putative cue released by ectoparasite-infected guppies impedes Gyrodactylus spread. I also completed a review suggesting that host-helminth-environment interactions may increase resilience to environmental change. Jaswinder Singh, PhD Genome Editing for Food Security and Environmental Sustainability (GEFSES) NSERC-CREATE Program One of the century’s great challenges is to provide nutritional and sustainable foods to meet the demands of an expanding global population. My program lays the foundation for unique methods to identify biotic and abiotic stress-associated genes in cereals, capitalizing on modern genomics, biotechnology, and gene editing to develop next-generation climate-resilient crops. Neil Strand Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Food Directorate, Health Canada Neil is the Section Head of the Novel Foods Section, conducting pre-market assessment of novel foods and maintaining up-to-date guidance regarding novelty and safety assessments. Recent work includes updating Health Canada’s Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods to address innovations in plant breeding and ongoing work addressing food innovation in cellular agriculture. Traian Sulea, PhD Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada I lead the NRC’s Molecular Modelling Team with a current research focus on the design and optimization of innovative biologics and therapeutic antibodies against cancer, neurological disorders and infectious diseases. We develop and apply a wide array of molecular simulation and bioinformatics methods from classical mechanics to machine learning models. Sandeep Tamber, PhD Bureau of Microbial Hazards, Health Canada My research centers on bacterial pathogens and food safety. Specifically, I work with Salmonella and Vibrio species and study their behaviour in food and food production environments. The goal of my research is to advance standard setting, guidance and policy related to food safety. I have also have projects related to antimicrobial resistance and its role in food safety. Xin Zhao, PhD Department of Animal Science, McGill University The objective of my research program is to design, validate, and apply innovative approaches to improve the management of livestock in order to prevent and control disease. Specifically, we are working on the reduction of antibiotics usage in farm animals, antimicrobial resistance in bacteria of animal origins and bovine mastitis.

Open to graduate students at participating schools, NSERC CREATE in One Health Against Pathogens (OHAP) was established to train experts in interdisciplinary research, communication, and crafting effective public policy. The One Health Crisis Food-borne, water-borne, vector-borne, and zoonotic (FWVZ) pathogens have been on the rise in Canada and around the world with the explosion of globalization, antimicrobial resistance, and climate change. All models predict the burden of FWVZ pathogens on human health is unsustainable, and will worsen as the effects of climate change intensify.To control the spread of FWVZ pathogens, we must integrate research, surveillance systems, and public policies in a holistic ‘One Health’ approach. One Health recognizes the profound interconnections between human, animal, and environmental health while providing effective, equitable, and sustainable ways to maximize public good and minimize harmful social, economic, health, and environmental outcomes. The current political and social landscape does not encourage the dissemination of difficult facts or the adoption of sound science-backed public policy. Scientists must learn to effectively and accessibly communicate facts and evidence with politicians and the general public. NSERC CREATE in One Health Against Pathogens (OHAP) was established to train experts in interdisciplinary research, communication, and crafting effective public policy. With these skills and our holistic One Health approach, our graduate students will have what it takes to bring an end to our current global health crises and support the development of preventative technologies and policies to safeguard our shared future. We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Nous remercions le Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et en génie du Canada (CRSNG) de son soutien.

We pair the discipline-based research skills our trainees acquire during their traditional thesis research work with the advanced systems thinking needed to develop, evaluate, and modify context-specific policies to prevent and control the spread of FWVZ pathogens. The Policy Challenge Each year, our collaborators and co-applicants assemble a unique case study based on real-world public health challenges involving FWVZ pathogens. These case studies form the basis of our Annual Policy Challenge, a year-long project culminating in a five-day all-expenses-paid retreat, where w e challenge our trainees, working in interdisciplinary teams, to pitch innovative policy solutions and outreach strategies to a panel of leading stakeholders in government and industry. Our Second Annual Policy Challenge For our Second Annual Policy Challenge, Masters and PhD trainees joined forces in four unified teams, each tackling a unique public health challenge, all centred around the increasingly focal issue of pathogen monitoring in wastewater. To learn more about the four challenge questions and the context behind them, check out our Participant's Guide . (Pictured below, attendees of the second annual retreat) 2025 Participant's Guide Policy Solutions Four hybrid teams of Master's and PhD trainees were asked to propose policy briefs addressing the issue of wastewater monitoring for pathogens. You can read their proposals here. Team 1: Evidence-Based Wastewater Surveillance: Guiding Municipal Policy for Public Health and Environmental Monitoring Fiona Hui, Hesham Adam, Marie-Zoé Lapierre, Parichay Subedi, Rafael Fernandes Ferreira, Salomé Plat, and Sarah Donald Team 2: Wastewater Monitoring of Incoming Aircraft at Canadian Ports of Entry Alla Yushchenko, Ben Sakdinan, Cody Malone, Kyle Story, Paul Glenn, Pierre-Luc Longchamps, and Taylor Volappi Team 3: The Identification of Cryptic Viral Lineages in Wastewater: Protecting the Privacy of Canadians in Wastewater Surveillance Gillian Cameron, Giuliana Leonarda Matta, Jinha Suh, Melika Amoueian, Natalia Lorenc, Yihan He, and Yuxiao Lu Team 4: Validation and Approval of Measles (Morbillivirus Hominis ) Wastewater Monitoring Methods Alexandra Foley-Eby, Amanda Williams, Cody Koloski, Ivan Drahun, Kira Mudrey, Kirsten Campbell, and Yuxin Hu Our First Annual Policy Challenge Our first Policy Challenge was a year-long activity, culminating in a week-long retreat hosted at McGill's Gault Nature Reserve. The event featured speakers from organizations like Health Canada, the Office of the Chief Science Advisor, and the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, alongside prominent voices from academia. The last day of the retreat was punctuated by final presentations from our PhD and Masters students, showing off their policy proposals and promotional media. The Question Lecture Slides Lecture Recording An effective human vaccine against Lyme disease has existed since the mid 1990's. However, the anti-vaccine movement and subsequent disappointing vaccine uptake led the manufacturer to discontinue its commercial production. Thousands of people are now needlessly suffering from Lyme disease and symptoms associated with post-Lyme disease. While new vaccines are currently in stage three clinical testing, some fear they may meet the same fate. What public policies need to be put in place in Canada to ensure access to safe and effective vaccines against Lyme disease for those who want to be immunized? Policy Solutions Three teams of our PhD trainees were asked to propose policy solutions addressing the issue of Lyme disease vaccinations. You can find the policy briefs they created to pitch their proposals here. Lyme Disease Vaccine for Canadians: Policy Brief Ivan Drahun, Alexandra Foley-Eby, Cody Koloski, & Yuxiao Lu Lyme Disease Prevention: Enhancing Vaccine Access and Public Awareness Initiatives Gillian Cameron, Fiona Hui, Natalia Lorenc, & Alla Yushchenko Towards Trust: Policy Initiatives for Vaccine Confidence through Transparency and Education Audrey Corbeil, Rafael Fernandes Ferreira, Cody Malone, & Taylor Volappi Promotional Media Our Masters' students were tasked with creating promotional media, with three students paired with PhD teams to promote their policy proposals and one student promoting Lyme awareness. Promotional Media: Towards Trust Giuliana Matta Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Vaccine for Canadians Sarah Donald Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Prevention Yuxin Hu Promotional Media: Lyme Disease Awareness Paul Glenn