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 train graduate students to tackle global health crises. Are you a future One Health leader? Applications close November 30. Application Portal Applications for the 2026 OHAP trainee cohort will open in November 2025. The start date for this cohort, including funding and programming, will be in September of 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 this date falls before the Winter term of your cohort year, please include plans to complete our program before graduation in your Supporting Document (see below) . Degree Admission Date 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 for funding. 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. Describe experiments that will take place in your partner organizations’ facilities. Describe your partners’ contributions to funding your project (if any). Extenuating Circumstances (Optional) Applicants are welcome to 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 take these circumstances into account when evaluating your application. 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 importance of the topic to Canada and 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 your participation in OHAP will help you accomplish them. Describe the contributions you wish to make Canadian and Global Health throughout your career. PI Statement and Signature The PI must read and sign the application document submitted by the applicant. Digital signatures are accepted. Their signature must be accompanied by a statement indicating that the PI 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). 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.

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 Emily Jenkins, DVM, PhD Parasitic Zoonoses Professor, Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan Dr. Emily Jenkins is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Western College of Veterinary Medicine, at the University of Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, Canada. Her research takes a One Health approach to diseases that transmit among animals and people via food, water, vectors, and the environment. She has graduated over 50 undergraduate research and graduate students and produced over 120 peer-reviewed publications. She co-leads the University of Saskatchewan One Health Signature Area, serves as a Canadian representative to the Terrestrial Working Group of the International Arctic Science Committee, and sits on the Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel. Learn 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

Back Christopher Fernandez Prada, PhD Molecular Parasitology Professeur agrégé, Département de pathologie et microbiologie, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal Christopher Fernandez-Prada (CFP) is an Associate Professor at Université de Montréal and Director of their Animal Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory of UdeM. CFP’s research is focused on the study of drug resistant parasites and the biological roles of their extracellular vesicles in genetic exchange and host-parasite interactions. Moreover, CFP lab is interested in the mode of action of novel antiparasitic agents, the discovery of novel biomarkers (with a focus on drug resistance and asymptomatic carrier state) and the development of alternative tools to control and manage protozoan parasites in a One Health approach. His lab is currently supported by the CIHR, NSERC, CFI, FRQNT and the J.-Louis Lévesque Foundation. 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).

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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Taylor Volappi, MSc Trainee Representative OHAP CREATE Program Research involving the unexplored intricate interactions between hosts and parasites has always been my passion. My planned work centers around elucidating the infection ecology of Echinococcus multilocularis within its various hosts in Western Canada, and using laboratory techniques to determine the pathogenicity of the various strains located here.

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