Back Sebastien Faucher, PhD Water-borne Pathogens Associate Professor, Department of Natural Resource Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University Prof. Sebastien Faucher’s research program aims to understand the genetic factors and environmental factors that influence the survival and growth of water-borne pathogens in the non-clinical environment and their transmission to humans. The emergent pathogen Legionella pneumophila is the prime focus of this research program. This pathogen grows in engineered water systems. Metagenomic tools are used to understand the role of the resident microbiota and the genomic diversity of L. pneumophila . The effect of climate change and water system operation and disinfection strategies on the evolution of L. pneumophila is also studied through experimental evolution in model water systems. Learn More

Our Steering Committee is an autonomous group ensuring oversight and accountability. They guide our strategic direction, assessing our training program to identify its strengths and weaknesses, determine if our goals are being met, and provide recommendations to continue improving our offerings year after year. Our Steering Committee The OHAP Steering Committee is an autonomous group ensuring oversight and accountability. The Committee guides our strategic direction, assessing our training program to identify its strengths and weaknesses, determine if our goals are being met, and provide recommendations to continue improving our offerings year after year. The Committee is chaired by a recognized leader with experience in government, industry, policy, and academia. Members are appointed by the Program Director according to approved criteria and serve for the duration of the program. These members include experts in EDI and program evaluation alongside members representing Graduate Studies, research stakeholders, and racialized and Indigenous communities. The appointed members are joined by an elected trainee representative, chosen by their peers to serve two-year terms. The OHAP Program Director and Associate Director serve as additional non-voting advisors to the Committee. Lynda Asiko Bulimo, MA Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Advocate Equity Education Advisor, McGill University Lynda is an Equity Education Advisor (Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Education) in the Equity Team at McGill University. Her work primarily focuses on developing and leading education-based initiatives for staff and faculty towards anti-racism and anti-oppression. Her research interests explore anti-Blackness, racism and mental health in higher education. Josephine Nalbantoglu, PhD Graduate Studies Representative Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, McGill University Dr. Josephine Nalbantoglu is the Associate Provost (Graduate Education) and Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies of McGill University. Her research interests focus on the molecular genetics of Alzheimer's Disease, on the regulation of gene expression in the nervous system and on gene therapy for brain tumours. Ethel LaValley Indigenous Representative Mayor, Township of South Algonquin Ethel LaValley is an Algonquin Elder of the Pikwakanagan First Nation. Ethel was elected to Council, becoming Mayor of the Township of South Algonquin, and serving four terms as Vice President of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. She continues to be engaged as an Elder at traditional openings and gatherings and speaks on issues affecting Indigenous people. Sean Quinlan, MSc, MBA Stakeholder Representative Food Safety Science Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency Sean is the National Manager – Food Safety Research at the CFIA. He and his team are responsible for the management, oversight, and delivery of the CFIA’s food safety research program, which is focused on the development of methods for the detection, identification, and characterization of chemical and microbial hazards in food. Shamsuddeen Yusuf Ma'aruf, BMLS, PGDE, MSc Trainee Representative OHAP CREATE Program Shams' research aims to address antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacteria by developing immunotherapeutic adjuvants in synergy with antibiotics. He is personally involved in teaching, research, and advocacy for one-digital-health frameworks in various youth-lead organizations. Genevieve Tanguay, PhD Committee Chair Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada Dr. Tanguay is Vice-Chief Science Advisor of Canada. She was the first woman Vice President Research at the National Research Council of Canada. Previously, she served as Vice-Rector Research at the University of Montreal and Assistant Deputy Minister for Research and Innovation in the Government of Québec. Throughout her career Dr. Tanguay has been recognised as a science policy leader both in Québec and in Canada.

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.

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. Frequently Asked Questions 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

Back Lawrence Goodridge, PhD Food-borne Pathogen Dynamics Professor, Department of Food Science, Ontario Agricultural College, University of Guelph Dr. Lawrence Goodridge, is a Full Professor and Canada Research Chair in Foodborne Pathogen Dynamics in the Department of Food Science at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. He is also the Director of Guelph’s Canadian Research Institute for Food Safety. Dr. Goodridge applies genomics to study foodborne bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance within a One Health context. This objective is being achieved by combining phenotypic and genotypic (phenogenomics) methods to develop predictive models of virulence in foodborne pathogens. Specific research studies in support of the main objective include identifying mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, including the role that mobile genetic elements play in the spread of genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance and virulence amongst bacteria. Other research interests include identifying new antimicrobial compounds to control the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and the development genomic approaches for rapid detection of foodborne and waterborne bacterial and viral pathogens. Learn More

Back Jianguo (Jeff) Xia, PhD Large Data Analysis Assistant Professor, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University The general research interest of my lab is to understand the impacts of host genetics, gut microbiome, diet and environmental exposures on health and diseases. In addition to developing novel and easy-to-use bioinformatics platforms for omics data analysis, we use cutting-edge, high-resolution LC-MS systems for metabolomics and exposomics studies coupled with a C. elegans model for further validation and mechanistic investigation. Learn More

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 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

We train graduate students to tackle global health crises. Are you a future One Health leader? Applications close November 30. Application Portal We are no longer accepting applications for the 2026 OHAP trainee cohort. Applications for the 2027 OHAP trainee cohort will open in Fall 2026. Applications may also be submitted as video or audio recordings containing the same information requested below. Recorded applications must be sent by email to the Associate Director . If you have any accessibility concerns that might impact your ability to complete your application or would like to request a deadline extension for circumstances out of your control, please contact the Associate Director before the deadline to discuss possible accommodations. Assessment Criteria Applications to the OHAP program are reviewed by a committee typically composed of our Co-Applicants and Collaborators. The committee evaluates candidates based on the following qualities: A co-supervisor in government or industry; A collaborative or interdisciplinary partnership in academia, government or industry; An academic or professional background in a One Health field; A project with clearly defined goals that would advance One Health in Canada; Clear career goals that will be directly advanced by their participation in OHAP; and Academic excellence (e.g. superior grades, publications, awards, etc.). Our program is meant to span two years for Master's students and three years for PhD students so, w ith few exceptions, eligibility is limited to students who will be entering the first year of a thesis-based graduate program (Master's or PhD) . If you have already begun studying but have extended or plan to extend your degree, please explain this under the Extenuating Circumstances section of your Supporting Document. In addition to the listed criteria, Indigenous applicants are strongly prioritized. If you have any questions regarding the application process or our assessment procedures, please contact the Associate Director . Personal Information Given Name Surname Personal Phone Number Preferred Name Preferred Pronouns Student Email Mailing Address I am First Nation, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit) How did you hear about OHAP? Your answer helps us reach new students Program Information If you have not yet been admitted to your academic program, please provide your expected information (for example, the date you would be admitted to your degree). If any information is not yet available (for example, your Student ID), you can enter N/A. If your application is successful, you will need to contact the Associate Director to provide updated information, when available. Program Type Select your program School Select your university Tuition Status Select your status If you were admitted in this academic term or earlier, please include plans to complete our program before graduation in your Supporting Document (see below) . Degree Admission Date * required Student ID Your degree program must broadly relate to at least one aspect of One Health (e.g. human, animal, or environmental health). Degree Details Supervisor's Name OHAP strongly encourages participation in collaborative projects. While not mandatory, students who have secured an internship or research placement in a government or industrial lab as part of their project will be prioritized. Proposed Co-Supervisor Provide your cumulative GPA (CGPA) as it appears on your transcript. Extenuating circumstances impacting your GPA can be explained in your application document. Self-Reported GPA Unofficial Transcript Upload Your Transcript Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Please follow the guidelines for supporting documents (see below) Supporting Document Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Academic CV Upload Your CV Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Estimate any additional funding you expect to receive from other sources, like grants or awards, not including employment income or stipend matching by your supervisor. This amount will not impact your application but may impact your stipend offer. See our Funding page for more information. Additional Funding See our Funding page to determine which category you should apply under. Funding Category Choose an option Apply Now Thank you for applying! Please check your inbox for a message confirming that we've received your application. Supporting Document Guidelines For text-based applications, submitted through our application portal, please upload your supporting documents in PDF or Word (.docx) format. For readability, we encourage the use of 12-point font, Times New Roman or equivalent, and 1.5 line spacing. Introduce Yourself (Approx. 250 words) Provide an overview of your educational background. List post-secondary institutions that you have attended along with degrees obtained. What in your background led you to the study of infectious diseases or One Health? Describe why you would like to pursue a graduate degree with the supervisor you have chosen. Partnership, if applicable (Approx. 250 words) List all academic, government, and industry partners involved in your project and describe any experiments taking place in your partner organizations’ facilities. Describe any partner’s funding contributions. Extenuating Circumstances (Optional) Please explain any extenuating circumstances that may have impacted their academic performance. If you have already begun your studies, please use this section to explain how you intend to complete the full length of our program before your graduation. Our admissions committee will consider these circumstances when evaluating your application. References Use this section to provide a list of your most relevant literature references. Do not refer readers to websites for additional information on your proposal. Do not introduce hyperlinks in your list of references. Project Goals (Approx. 500 words) Provide a brief background of the project to be undertaken as part of your current graduate program. List your hypothesis and overarching objectives. Describe the potential benefit of your project to Canada. How the expected outcomes will benefit Canada from a One Health perspective. Your proposed supervisor is encouraged to collaborate with you in writing this portion of the application. Career Goals (Approx. 250 words) Outline your career goals and how specific OHAP training activities will help you accomplish them. Describe the contributions you wish to make to Canadian and Global Health throughout your career. PI Statement and Signature Your supervisor must read and sign your application document before submission. Their signature must be accompanied by a statement indicating that the supervisor agrees to mentor and advise the applicant and provide matching stipend funds from existing research grants, which, at minimum, double the stipend provided by the OHAP program (excluding Indigenous applicants).

Back Qian (Vivian) Liu, PhD Viral Zoonoses Assistant Professor, Institute of Parasitology, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, McGill University Zoonotic diseases (zoonoses) are infectious diseases that originate from animals and subsequently infect humans. RNA viruses are the primary etiological agents of human emerging pathogens, occupying up to 44% of all emerging human diseases. Paramyxoviruses are negative-stranded RNA viruses with great zoonotic potential. Members include established human pathogens (e.g. Measles virus) and emerging deadly zoonotic viruses (e.g. Nipah and Hendra viruses). My lab is interested in understanding the infection and transmission of zoonotic viruses in humans and animals. Specifically, we study the mechanisms of virus entry and assembly and how viruses hijack and/or evade host factors during these processes. By combining super-resolution imaging, novel fluorescence labelling, and optogenetic tools, we provide precise structural and behavioural information to dissect virus-host interactions during viral infection and transmission. Our research sheds light on novel antiviral development. Learn More