Hi, my name is Jake and I am a PhD student at Cardiff University working under the OneZoo CDT. With a background in analytical chemistry, my experience is in pharmaceutical method development and validation. During my undergraduate degree, in Chemistry, my research focused on developing novel plastic alternatives and their application in treating trace metal pollution. My PhD project is transdisciplinary, spanning bioscience, chemistry, and engineering. My project focuses on using bioremediation techniques to treat chemicals and their metabolites in solid and aqueous systems, commonly used on farms to control zoonotic diseases, with the goal of preventing water system pollution.
Hello, I am Alice. My project is ‘Assessing the risks of zoonoses from the warming Arctic’. I have experience in a range of disciplines; 1 year in emerging pollutant research, 2 years in pathology and high throughput diagnostic testing, and 2 years in contract research of veterinary medicines and pharmaceuticals. Prior to working in industry, I completed a masters in Environmental Biology and degree in Zoology. I aim to combine this range of disciplines, and skills in both fieldwork and lab work to deliver the first evidence driven risk assessment of the risks posed by potential pathogen emergence from the Arctic due to ice melting
Ever wonder what the world is like for a microbe? I’m Nina, a disease ecologist and frisbee player from Seattle. I hold a BA in biology and environmental studies, an MSc in One Health, and an MA in creative nonfiction writing. As a OneZoo PhD student, I’m looking at the rice paddies, forests, and streams of Madagascar through the eyes of schistosomes—freshwater parasites that move between snail and human hosts, causing disease in 250 million people. I’m excited to work alongside farmers to test solutions for living well with these microscopic monsters. Stories at www.ninafinley.com and on X @ninafinley.
Hi, I’m Ellie, a OneZoo PhD student at LSHTM based in the Environmental Health Group. My project focuses on identifying exposure pathways of Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii in urban informal settlements in Brazil, and examining how human behaviours during flood events alter risk. Before starting my PhD, I worked as a research assistant on an evidence synthesis project focused on priority setting for pandemic preparedness against climate-sensitive infectious diseases. I hold an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases from LSHTM and a BSc in Medical Biochemistry from the University of Leeds.
Hi, I'm Gu, a PhD student in the OneZoo CDT program at Queen's University Belfast. I completed my Bachelor’s in Health Inspection and Quarantine at Guangdong Medical University in 2018, followed by four years at the Shenzhen Yantian District Center for Disease Control and Prevention. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Aberdeen, completed in 2023. My PhD project focuses on environmental health and infectious diseases, specifically integrating wildlife disease detection and surveillance to assess how chemical pollution may influence immune responses, susceptibility, and potential adaptations in both mammals and humans.
I’m Daisy, a One Zoo PhD student at Queen's University Belfast, researching the application of molecular tools for detecting zoonotic helminths in Eastern Africa. I am also interested in understanding parasite-host interactions and disease ecology at a wildlife-livestock interface, to improve public health, and environmental sustainability, and advocate for One Health. I hold a Bachelor's degree of Science with Education (Biological) and a Master's degree in Biology, Natural Resources, ecology Management, and Conservation, from Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), Uganda where I also previously served as a lecturer and research assistant.
Hi, my name is Vlad and I am currently a PhD student in the second OneZoo CDT cohort! I hold a BSc in Biological Sciences and MSc in Big Data Biology from Cardiff University, which also where I'll be based for this PhD. My project is centered around microsporidians, which are unicellular fungal parasites of animals. I will be using 'omics techniques and data to characterise and investigate the effects of pollution on the virulence (severity of infection) of microsporidian parasites in marine gammarids, with the ultimate goal of investigating orthologs in human-infecting microsporidians.
Hi, I’m Tomek. My background is in insect behaviour, physiology and biomechanics. I have a BA in Natural Sciences (Zoology) and completed MPhil in Zoology at the University of Cambridge. I’ll be based at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where I’ll be focusing on thermal biology of UK midges to assess their competency as vectors of leishmanisis.
Hi, I’m Roz. I’m a part-time OneZoo student at the LSHTM, investigating the invasion and spread of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi in the African continent. I did my MSc in One Health at the LSHTM and my BSc in Zoology at the University of Edinburgh. I still work at both the LSHTM and the Medical Entomology and Zoonoses Ecology Team at the UKHSA alongside my PhD. I’m interested in vector ecology, invasive species, and spatial modelling to understand the drivers of vector borne disease. I’m on X as @roztaylor_.
Hi! I'm Jess, and I'm a OneZoo PhD student, based in Cardiff University. I graduated in 2020 with an Integrated Masters in Biological Sciences from Cardiff University, then worked for the Welsh Genomics Service for a few years. My OneZoo PhD project explores identifying parasites in Bornean water buffaloes, focusing on how environmental factors and climate change may influence the spread of Schistosoma and Fasciola, which cause over 200,000 human fatalities per annum. The study will identify the presence of Schistosoma and Fasciola in water bodies & buffalos used for meat, milk, and draught.
Hi, my name is Angel! I am a OneZoo PhD student studying at Aberystwyth University. I have a BSc in Veterinary Bioscience also from Aberystwyth university. My project will look at Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) as vectors and reservoirs of zoonotic disease. The main focus will be to identify bacterial, viral, and parasite pathogens present in faeces over a 3-year period. I will be using a range of techniques and disciplines including microbial diagnostics, molecular biology, metagenomics, microscopy and bioinformatics. Additionally, my project will explore Starling feeding behaviours, their economic impact, bird health and population genetics.
Hi there, I’m Aidan! I am a Medical Entomology PhD student in the Cuthbert Group at Queen’s University Belfast. I have a bachelor's degree in Microbiology from Trinity College Dublin and an MSc in Control of Infectious Diseases from LSHTM. My project involves investigating the role of microclimates and urbanisation on mosquito-borne disease risk, with a focus on Northern Ireland. The goal of this project is to understand the diversity of mosquito vectors in a setting traditionally sidelined by research and how we and our climate interact with these vectors and the diseases they may carry.
Hi, my name is Michela, and I'm a OneZoo PhD student at Aberystwyth University. I studied Biotechnology at the National University of Córdoba. In Argentina, I worked at the Severo Amuchástegui Center for Translational Medicine Research (CIMETSA), studying the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, using STED nanoscopy. My current project, "FlukEEE: Exploitation of Extracellular Vesicles via Ellipsometry," focuses on studying the proteomics of EVs to identify potential biomarkers for diagnosing Fasciola hepatica,one of the major parasites responsible for human and animal fasciolosis.
Hi, I’m Anita! I’m an infectious disease epidemiologist. I hold a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Aston University and a Master of Public Health from the University of Melbourne. I have 10+ years’ experience working with WHO’s Health Emergencies Team, completing ECDC’s European Programme for Intervention Epidemiology Training (EPIET), and working as a Field Epidemiologist with the UK Health Security Agency. My PhD with the OneZoo CDT at LSHTM will investigate the risk of avian influenza spillover from poultry to humans in Bangladesh, focusing on market hygiene and human immunity. Find me on X @anita_epi.
Hello everyone! I am Shivangi. I am primarily based at the Engineering and Biosciences schools of Cardiff University. My research - the microSENSE project - aims to develop a prototype biosensor for rapid, automated detection and surveillance of Bacillus anthracis in the field. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biotechnology from the Vellore Institute of Technology, India and a Master’s in Infectious Diseases and One Health organised jointly by Université de Tours (France), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (Spain), and Hannover Medical School (Germany). My Master's thesis focused on developing a rapid and sensitive detection tool for major ciguatoxin congeners at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology, La Ràpita, Spain.
Hi, I am Lubna, a Nanotechnologist and PhD student at Queen's University Belfast as part of the OneZoo CDT cohort 2. My Ph.D. research is focusing on developing graphene oxide (GO)-based biosensor to enhance tuberculosis detection. Utilizing GO nanoparticles known for their biocompatibility and sensitivity, I aim to create a real-time, point-of-care diagnostic tool for TB, advancing early detection and disease management. I completed my Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan with a background in Natural Nanomedicine. My previous research work involved the synthesis and characterization of nanostructured lipid carriers for drug delivery, as well as exploring algae-derived compounds for cancer therapy.
Hi, my name is Carla and I am a PhD student with the OneZoo CDT based in Cardiff University. I completed my integrated master’s in biomedical science at Cardiff University. My PhD project aims to use satellite images to assess how habitat and environmental changes will affect the spread of infectious diseases. I have a background in parasitology with my master’s project focusing on the effects of surfactant pollution on a fish-parasite model system.
Hi! I’m Jodie, a PhD student with the OneZoo CDT, based at Cardiff University. My project is titled ‘Ancient Zoo: Parasite diversity and zoonotic events in ancient Britain’ and will investigate historical patterns of zoonotic disease using museum specimens of British wildlife. I hold a BSc Zoology from the University of Nottingham and worked there for 6 years as a technician in its School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, before studying MSc Global Ecology and Conservation at Cardiff University.
Hi, I’m Jeremy. I am a PhD student at the Cardiff University on the OneZoo CDT scheme. I completed my MCHEM with a year in industry from Cardiff University. My research interest is broadly in the area of chemical ecology, with a current focus on the volatile signals used by vector insects to find hosts and food sources. My previous projects have focused on sheep volatiles in relation to bluetongue virus infection in sheep, and volatiles associated with flower seeking by the malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae on a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).My current project investigates volatile perception of two mosquito species endemic to the UK, which are potential vectors for west Nile virus.
Hi, I’m Nyasha, a PhD student at Cardiff University, focusing on the biocontrol of mosquitos. The development of mosquito control strategies which are more environmentally friendly, cost-effective and accessible through this project will hopefully aid in reducing mosquito borne-diseases. Having completed my Bachelors in Biology and Chemistry at Durham University, I went on to do a Masters by Research focusing on olfaction in Black Soldier Flies, and fell in love with working with insects.
Hi, I'm Kathy and I am completing my PhD part-time, based at Aberystwyth University. I am a qualified Vet and following graduation from Glasgow Vet School in 2010 I spent several years in private practice before joining the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA). I currently work as a Field Epidemiology Veterinary Adviser at APHA, focusing on the investigation of notifiable disease outbreaks such as Avian Influenza, Bluetongue Virus and Bovine TB. My One Zoo Project will investigate the epidemiology of Avian Influenza in GB, with a consideration of both avian and anthropogenic risk factors. There will be a focus on testing selected wild bird species for the presence of avian influenza viruses, with a particular focus on passerines, as their role in the spread of the virus is currently unknown.
Hi, my name is Kelly and I am an epidemiologist focusing on the intersection between climate change and health. I have previous experience working on COVID-19, antimicrobial resistance, and One Health related projects. I hold a B.S. in Physiological Sciences with a minor in Conservation Biology from UCLA and an MSc in One Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and Royal Veterinary College (RVC). My PhD with the OneZoo CDT will investigate the relationship between environmental and host stress and the invasion of pathogens implicated in wildlife mortality events in diverse rangeland systems.
Hi, my name is Zoe and I’m a PhD student at Queens University Belfast under the OneZoo Centre for Doctoral Training cohort 2. I have a BSc in Biomedical Science and recently completed my state registration as a Biomedical Scientist. I completed my undergraduate degree whilst working in the clinical microbiology laboratory in the Belfast Trust and with the pathogen sequencing and typing team. My project ‘EVOZOOM’ is looking at the evolution, transmission and genomic epidemiology of Mycobacterium bovis. The aim is to develop 'One Health' approaches to understanding this important zoonotic disease by integrating both clinical and veterinary data.
Hi, I'm Eszter, a PhD student at Aberystwyth University with the OneZoo CDT. My project is focused on creating a novel diagnostic tool for the liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica), using detection dogs to find the mud snail (Galba truncatula), the intermediate host of the parasite, hence the title "Sniffing out Snails." By finding the intermediate host, we can provide information for land use and reduce the transmission of the fluke. With the use of environmental DNA, we can compare our dogs efficacy in field conditions. My background in Genetics (MSc, ELTE, Hungary) and over a decade of dog training help me in this innovative research.