Research News

Each month, we put a 'Spotlight On' a different researcher in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine to find out more about the path leading to their current role in the School, their area of interest and what drew them into this area, what they enjoy most about their work and the best thing about working in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine.

Click on the links below to find out more about our most recent ‘Spotlight On’ features:

Nicola Fletcher

Dr Nicola Fletcher, Assistant Professor in our Veterinary Biosciences Section, tells us about developing an interest in science, her love of research, realising a lifelong dream of working in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, and telescopes and travels!

Eilidh Thomson

Eilidh Thomson, Resident in Large Animal Clinical Reproduction (ECAR), tells us about growing up in a house full of animals, moving to Dublin in the middle of the pandemic to start a cattle reproduction residency in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, future travel plans and finding an excuse to bake!

UCD launched its new Centre for One Health on 22 February. The Centre is dedicated to advancing research, education and collaboration on the One Health approach to solving global health challenges which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and planetary health. 

The UCD One Health Centre aims to research, educate and build awareness in relation to One Health, to promote the use of this approach and to become a national and world-class leader in developing and facilitating strategies to implement One Health. The Centre will pursue priorities in Research Excellence, Education and Training, Community Engagement and Outreach, Policy and Advocacy, and Building Capacity and Partnerships. This comprehensive approach underscores UCD's commitment to achieving its vision of making a lasting impact on global health.

Speaking at the official launch of UCD’s One Health Centre, its Director, Professor Tony Holohan said, 'If mankind is to protect human wellbeing and health from threats such as pandemics, obesity and antibiotic resistance, we need to better understand the links between our wellbeing and the health of the planet and all its plants and animals. We are one world and the purpose of One Health is to help us realise that and take actions that recognise this. Through this important step, I hope that we can build a national collaboration with other universities, government agencies, industry, and all stakeholders.'

Assistant Professor in the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, Dr Gerald Barry (Deputy Director of the One Health Centre) emphasised the Centre’s goal to promote the well-being of all species by fostering collaboration and cultivating strengths in leadership. He said, 'The Centre for One Health will facilitate more cross-sectoral teaching, research and innovation in UCD and across the academic sector through meaningful collaboration which make a positive contribution to national policy on One Health serving as a catalyst for positive change in global health.'

Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe, visited UCD to mark the launch. He said, 'It gives me immense pleasure to extend heartfelt congratulations on the establishment of the Centre for One Health in the College of Health and Agricultural Sciences (CHAS) at UCD. This marks a significant achievement and success story in the WHO European Region. UCD CHAS is indeed setting a commendable example within the region . Your valuable contribution to the One Health approach in addressing health risks is pivotal as we navigate the ongoing implementation of this critical framework.'

Speaking in relation to the launch, UCD’s President, Professor Orla Feely said, 'To understand and provide solutions to diseases and other global health challenges we need to consider them in the context of the interface between humans, animals and the wider environment. Doing this effectively requires collaboration across a variety of sectors including government, academia, international organisations, civil society and the private sector. This partnership is fundamental to the One Health approach.'

Professor Feely continued, 'The creation of the UCD One Health Centre  will enable UCD to play a role in creating solutions to these global challenges and to engage in strategic partnerships nationally to help advocate for One Health. The One Health Centre is an extremely exciting opportunity for UCD to make a valuable contribution to protecting human wellbeing and health at a global level.'

Pictured below:  Professor Tony Holohan, Director of UCD's One Health Centre with Professor Orla Feely, UCD President and Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe

Professor Siobhan Mullan, UCD Chair of Animal Welfare & Veterinary Ethics, is part of the European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EUPAHW), the most ambitious research and innovation initiative the European Commission (EC) has funded to control infectious diseases of animals, and to promote animal welfare. 

Launched earlier this year, the innovative Partnership is anticipated to invest €360 million over seven years to boost research and facilitate cooperation between all actors. The scope goes beyond the animal health and welfare actors to enhance cross sector collaboration and, through a One Health and One Welfare approach, to provide societal impact. The objectives of the EUP AH&W align with the (opens in a new window)European Green Deal and its associated (opens in a new window)Farm to Fork strategy for a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system.

The ambitious objectives of the EUPAHW have attracted a diverse pool of partners, including 56 leading research performing organisations and 30 funding organisations in Europe. The budget is 50% funded by the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and 50% by the EUP AH&W partner institutions/organisations. To date, the Partnership has brought together 90 entities (research-performing institutions, funding organisations, and ministries), including EFSA and EMA, from 24 countries (19 EU Member States and 5 countries associated to Horizon Europe). 

The Partnership is based on a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA), which has been developed over a two-year period, and involving all relevant actors. The SRIA balances short term applied and strategic research. Infectious diseases, both of terrestrial and aquatic animals, and zoonotic risks such as bird flu are addressed, together with research to improve animal welfare. The Partnership also focuses on the prudent use of antimicrobials and ensuring that a high level of animal welfare is provided in every phase of an animal’s life. The Partnership includes 17 three-year research projects carried out internally, which start in 2024, and plans to launch research calls reaching out to additional research performing organisations beyond the Partnership. Funding organisations not yet involved in the Partnership may also contribute to these calls.  

Nathalie Vanderheijden of the University of Ghent, coordinator of the EUP AH&W, sums up the Partnership as follows: “Our partnership is a new, open initiative, bringing together EC funding, national/regional funders and research performing organisations to concentrate efforts on developments with high societal, economic and policy impact. Belgium, with its current presidency of the European Council for six months, appreciates the potential of unity in driving change!”

EFSA’s Chief Scientist Carlos Das Neves says in relation to the Partnership: “We are pleased to announce that EFSA will be a full partner of the European Partnership Animal Health & Welfare. This is the first time that we will be a beneficiary in a research partnership under Horizon Europe, which will enable a smoother transition from research to regulatory science. We are prepared and committed to bring our expertise to the table, together with the best experts in Europe, for the benefit of animal health and welfare.”

UCD School of Veterinary Medicine’s Role in EUPAHW

Siobhan Mullan (Professor of Animal Welfare & Veterinary Ethics) is UCD’s representative in the EUPAHW  initiative.  A veterinarian who has an extensive track record of animal welfare research that focuses on using welfare assessments to drive large scale welfare improvements across a range of species, Professor Mullan will contribute to the workstream creating a knowledge platform in the EU that will design, collect, collate, analyse, share and use integrated scientific and technical data on animal welfare. This will allow future monitoring and surveillance of animal welfare at EU level on farms, during transport and at the slaughterhouse, with the ultimate aim of improving animal welfare.  Professor Mullan said: ‘Animal welfare is a key concern of Irish citizens and this exciting initiative aims to make better use of technology and data to help farmed animals lead good lives in Ireland and across Europe.’

The CVERA e-zine provides a brief overview of some of the recent work conducted by CVERA staff in collaboration with a wide range of national and international institutions. More in-depth information can be found at http://www.ucd.ie/cvera/, noting the role of CVERA to provide high quality independent scientific research and advice to support national evidence-based policy-making in animal health & welfare and public health and related matters.

News & updates from UCD CVERA can be found at: http://www.ucd.ie/cvera/news/