MEET THE
SPEAKERS
Speakers List
Keynote: Dr J.A. (Jaap) Wagenaar, Chair in Clinical Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Jaap Wagenaar was trained as veterinarian and completed his PhD study at Utrecht University and the USDA-National Animal Diseases Center, Ames, IA, US. He worked at the reference institute of the Dutch Ministry of Agriculture in Lelystad, with WHO (Geneva, Switzerland), CDC (Atlanta, US) and USDA (Albany, Ca, US). In 2006 he was appointed as chair in Clinical Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The main topics of his research are on antimicrobial resistance and on Campylobacter. He is member of the WHO-Global Foodborne Infections Network, a global capacity building network. As member of the scientific panel of the Netherlands Veterinary Medicines Institute he was involved in the major reduction of antimicrobial use in livestock. He is member of the Technical Advisory Group of the Fleming Fund. He is director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Campylobacter and Antimicrobial Resistance from a One Health perspective, and the WOAH-Reference Laboratory for Campylobacteriosis, and is acting frequently as expert for WHO, FAO and WOAH. Jaap is Co-Chair of the Quadripartite Technical Group on Integrated Surveillance for Antimicrobial Resistance and Use (QTG-AIS). This group, installed by the Quadripartite members (the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)) provides strategic and technical advice to the Quadripartite and the Global Leaders Group on AMR. Jaap is member of the European Commission Expert Group 'Antimicrobial Resistance One Health Network'. This group assists the European Commission in relation to the implementation of existing Union legislation, programmes and policies. Jaap is member of the Technical Advisory Forum of ICARS (International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions).
Jaap is Diplomate and Founding Member of the European College of Veterinary Microbiology.
In March 2023 Jaap received an Honorary Doctorate of Ghent University (Laudatio by Promotor Prof. Jeroen Dewulf )
Gwendolyn Blue, Professor, University of Calgary
Gwendolyn Blue is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of Calgary. Her research examines the public involvement and debates about issues that involve science and technology, including climate change and genomics. Current research examines public assessments of emerging bio-digital technologies, with a focus on calls for responsible research and innovation for animal and plant genomics.
Jeremie Bouffard, eTick Project Manager, Bishop's University
After obtaining my master’s degree in biology at the University of Ottawa in 2021, I was hired as project coordinator for eTick, a community science image-based tick identification platform for Canadians. This position allows me to work alongside researchers and policy makers to ensure eTick provides a high-quality service for Canadians, whilst also contributing to Canada’s ongoing tick surveillance and research efforts. After overseeing over 63,000 tick identifications, training dozens of assistants (including future researchers and veterinary/medical professionals) in image-based tick identification, and assisting countless Canadians with the ticks they encountered and questions they have, I am truly grateful for what this unique position allows me to accomplish.
Améliee Boutin, Graduate Student, Department of Biology, Carleton University
Amélie Boutin is a Master’s student in Biology at Carleton University, conducting her research in affiliation with Environment and Climate Change Canada. She completed her BSc at the University of Ottawa, where she investigated how landscape composition influences turtle abundance in wetlands. For her MSc research, Amélie draws on her background in landscape ecology to address questions within a One Health framework. Her current work focuses on identifying landscape-level risk factors for the transmission of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at the wild bird-domestic poultry interface. By comparing the farm-level, local, and regional landscapes surrounding both infected and non-infected commercial poultry farms in southern Ontario, she aims to determine whether and how a farm’s location influences its risk of HPAI outbreak. Findings from this research will help inform practical recommendations for land-use planning, farm biosecurity, and habitat management to reduce future outbreak risk.
Jenna Buragina, MSc Student, University of Calgary
Jenna received her BSc majoring in Cellular and Molecular Biology from Mount Royal University and is a Master’s student in the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases at the University of Calgary. Her undergraduate and graduate research has focused on antimicrobial peptide discovery and characterization in the search for novel antibiotic alternatives. Beyond her research, Jenna is helping promote a One Health approach to antimicrobial resistance by leading the development of a One Health Mentorship and Peer Support Program through the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance Network (CAN-AMR-Net) training platform.
Matthew Croxen, Associate Professor, University of Alberta
Dr. Matthew Croxen finished both his undergraduate degree and doctoral degrees at Dalhousie University. His doctoral work looked at the pathogenesis of the gastric-ulcer-causing bacteria, Helicobacter pylori. After his doctoral studies, he moved to Vancouver, where he did a postdoctoral fellowship with Dr. Brett Finlay at The University of British Columbia (UBC), focusing on molecular mechanisms of host-to-host transmission of Escherichia coli. The genomics experience he gained as a Research Associate at UBC led to a senior scientist position at the BC Centre for Disease Control Public Health Laboratory where he focused on the genomic epidemiology of healthcare-acquired antimicrobial resistance infections. In 2017, Dr. Croxen moved to Edmonton Alberta where he now works as the Program Lead for Public Health Genomics and Bioinformatics at the Alberta Precision Laboratories Public Health Laboratory. He is also an Associate Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Alberta, a member of the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute and the Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute. Despite his broad infectious disease portfolio, his main interests are around the diversity of emerging bacterial pathogens, including carbapenemase-producers, hypervirulent strains, and the convergence of both hypervirulence and carbapenem resistance.
Jeroen De Buck, Professor, University of Calgary
Jeroen De Buck is a Professor of Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Calgary, where he is a Research Chair in Bacterial Diseases of Dairy Cattle and Associate Dean, Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. He is a bio-engineer and holds a Msc in Laboratory Animal Sciences and a PhD in Veterinary Sciences from Ghent University and has been active in veterinary infectious disease research for more than 25 years.
Dr. De Buck’s research focuses on developing sustainable alternatives to antibiotics for the prevention, detection, and treatment of animal diseases. His work spans bacterial pathogenesis, vaccine development, bacterial genomics, and phage engineering, with particular emphasis on Johne’s disease, bovine mastitis, and digital dermatitis. He leads research on bacteriophages, microbiome-based interventions, probiotic strains, and antimicrobial peptides.
A major focus of his current research is the development of safe, controllable phage-based strategies to prevent Johne’s disease in young calves. This includes CRISPR-enabled phage engineering to produce phages designed for reliable and sustainable on-farm use.
Dr. De Buck has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and holds several patents. He is actively engaged in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Tunmise Ehigbor, Phd Student, University Of Prince Edward Island
Tunmise Faith Ehigbor is a PhD student in Veterinary Health Management at the Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. His research focuses on understanding dairy farmers' decision-making regarding antimicrobial use and on motivating and supporting farmers to adopt evidence-based practices aligning with on-farm conditions. Faith has a background in animal welfare, having pursued and completed a Master's degree in Animal Biosciences at the University of Guelph (2022-2024). His love for animals began on his parents' poultry farm, which led him to study Animal Physiology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Nigeria, where he earned his Bachelor's degree in 2021. Faith has experience researching multiple animal species, having worked with goats during his undergraduate degree, poultry during his MSc degree and now dairy cows in his PhD. He hopes to continue conducting research that prioritizes animal welfare, industry needs, consumer interests, and the safety of our shared environment.
Eszter Farkas, Phd Candidate, Mcgill University
Eszter Farkas is a PhD candidate at McGill University under the supervision of Dao Nguyen in the department of Microbiology and Immunology. She joined the lab in 2020, after graduating with her BSc in Translational and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa. Her research focuses on natural product screening, specifically the screening of compounds from bacteria from the Canadian High Arctic region and evaluating the potential for use as antibiotics. Besides her graduate studies, Eszter is also a part of the McGill AMR Centre’s Student Outreach Team, which she co-led in the 2024-2026 academic year, and she is part of the CAN-AMR-NET training program working group.
Dayna Goldsmith, Associate Instructor, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Graduated with my DVM from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 2013 as part of the second graduating class of vet students. Completed a residency in Anatomic Pathology at the University of California Davis becoming a diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists in 2016. Worked as a diagnostic pathologist first within the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory in Tulare and now within the Diagnostic Services Unit (DSU) at UofC. I am an instructor tract Associate Professor within the vet school as well as the director of the Alberta node of the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC).
Jennifer L. Guthrie, Canada Research Chair in Pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics, University of Western Ontario
Dr. Jennifer Guthrie is a Canada Research Chair in Pathogen Genomics and Bioinformatics and an Assistant Professor in the Departments of Microbiology & Immunology and Epidemiology & Biostatistics at Western University; she also serves as an Adjunct Scientist at Public Health Ontario. A genomic epidemiologist by training, Dr. Guthrie uses interdisciplinary, One
Health–informed approaches that integrate genomics and bioinformatics with epidemiology and microbiology to examine pathogen transmission dynamics, antimicrobial resistance, and epidemiological characteristics across human, animal, and environmental interfaces. Her research focuses on pathogens of public health importance, including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Jessalyn Holodinsky, Assistant Professor, University of Calgary
Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky is an Assistant Professor (Data Science) in the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Calgary, with cross-appointments in Community Health Sciences and Clinical Neurosciences. Her research applies advanced analytics, statistical modeling, and machine learning to optimize emergency care delivery and improve patient outcomes. She specializes in leveraging administrative databases and electronic health records to uncover patterns that translate into actionable insights for clinicians and policymakers.
Dr. Holodinsky is also Director of AI & Data Education and Ethics in the Office of Faculty Development at the Cumming School of Medicine, where she focuses on increasing AI literacy across faculty and students. She hosts AI Rounds, a podcast where she uses accessible metaphors to explain AI concepts and explores thoughtful questions about incorporating AI into academic work.
Her research benefits from cross-disciplinary collaborations through the Centre for Health Informatics, O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute. Whether tackling emergency department challenges or teaching about AI, her work is grounded in a core belief: Data Saves Lives.
Kalina Kamenova, Founder & Research Director, Canadian Institute of Genomics and Society
Dr. Kalina Kamenova is a bioethicist and health science policy scholar specializing in the governance of emerging biomedical technologies, including artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and genomics. She is the Founder and Research Director of the Canadian Institute for Genomics and Society, where she leads interdisciplinary research on ethical AI, public trust, and participatory governance in the health and life sciences. Her work examines how automated systems shape knowledge production, communication, and decision-making in clinical research, public health, and One Health contexts. She has published widely on public engagement and biomedical governance and is a frequently invited speaker at national and international conferences.
Sigrun Kullik, Surveillance lead for built and natural environments, Public
Health Agency of Canada
Dr. Sigrun Kullik joined the Public Health Agency of Canada
(PHAC) in 2022, where she contributes to the Canadian Antimicrobial Resistance
Surveillance System (CARSS) as the surveillance lead for AMR in built and
natural environments. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph in
Environmental Biology, where she studied integrated pest management, and has
contributed to diverse initiatives across the federal government, including
integrated risk management, program evaluation, and the environmental assessment
of pharmaceuticals and veterinary drugs. Most recently, she led the development
of PHAC’s Environmental Surveillance Strategic Framework (ESSF), which provides
guidance on increasing access to data and evidence for the environmental
dimensions of AMR.
Susan Kutz, Veterinarian, Professor, Canada Research Chair, University of Calgary, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Susan Kutz is a Veterinarian, a professor, and a Canada Research Chair in Arctic One Health: Healthy Animals, Healthy Communities in a Changing Arctic, at the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Alberta, Canada. She has worked on wildlife health in the Arctic and Subarctic for three decades. Her areas of expertise include wildlife parasitology, disease ecology, ecosystem health, arctic ecology, climate change, and community-based wildlife health surveillance with a focus on caribou and muskoxen. She works with local communities to monitor, understand, and predict the impacts of a warming Arctic on the health of muskox and caribou populations and the consequent effects on food security in the Arctic.
Patrick Leighton, Professor, Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal
Patrick Leighton is Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, and an active member of the Epidemiology of Zoonoses and Public Health Research Group (GREZOSP) and the Centre for Public Health Research (CReSP). His research focuses on the ecology of wildlife diseases that are transmissible to humans, and in particular the impact of ecological change on the epidemiology of these diseases and the risk they pose to public health. He is director of the Canadian Lyme Disease Research Network (CLyDRN) and co-directs U. Montreal’s Master’s Programs in One Health and Veterinary Public Health.
Roy Lewis, Lewis Farms, University of Calgary, Merck Animal Health
Dr. Roy Lewis Graduated from WCVM (Western College of Veterinary Medicine) in 1981 and was a partner at the Westlock Veterinary Clinic until Dec 2012. He has been a large animal practitioner for 45 years mainly in beef cattle (both commercial cattle and purebred herds) and some bison work. His interests are preventative medicine, fertility and genetics both bulls and cows as well as animal welfare. He has written and continues to write numerous producer veterinary health articles in magazines such as the Western Producer, Alberta Farmer Express, Grain news and several cattle breed magazines such as
Simmental Country, Charolais Banner and Limousin Voice to name a few . Roy joined Merck Animal Health 2012 as a technical services veterinarian part time until June 2020. He has two children a daughter Cali (A veterinarian graduated 2015 from UCVM) and son Colton a medical doctor (Graduated 2019 U of A). Roy spends some time examining and lecturing the veterinary students at the University of Calgary. Roy is also part of a family owned purebred Simmental & Angus cattle (1000 cows) grain and 500 acres of potatoes mixed farming operation near Spruce Grove Alberta “Lewis Farms”.
Angela McLaughlin, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dalhousie University
Angela is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Dalhousie University working with Dr. Finlay Maguire, in collaboration with Dr. Zvonimir Poljak at University of Guelph. Her current project focuses on developing models to predict influenza H5Nx host taxa susceptibility using viral genomic features and phylogenetically-informed cross-validation. During her graduate studies, she studied the transmission and migration dynamics of HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 in Canada.
Rienske Mortier, Veterinarian, Prairie Livestock Veterinarians
Dr. Rienske earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from Ghent University in Belgium in 2008. She subsequently completed a PhD in infectious disease and microbiology at the University of Calgary, where her research centred on diagnostics and disease dynamics in food animals.
Following her doctoral studies, Dr. Rienske practised in small animal medicine for five years before returning to food animal practice. Since 2021, she has focused on swine health and production, applying her expertise in infectious diseases and biosecurity to improve herd health. In recognition of her contributions to the industry, she was honoured with the Alberta Pork Rising Star Award in 2025. In practice, Rienske's work has contributed to advancing understanding of co-infections and neonatal diarrhea in swine, as well as strategies for controlling respiratory pathogens and PCV2d.
Nancy Nswal, Researcher, Institut Multisectoriel pour l’Amélioration du Bien-Être (IMABE)
Nancy N. Nswal is a medical doctor and public health professional with experience in applied research, data collection and analysis, and coordination of public health projects involving the human, animal, and environmental sectors.
Her work has included research on health risks related to foods of animal origin, disease surveillance, and scientific communication in resource-limited settings. Through her training and research activities, she has developed a strong interest in antimicrobial use in livestock production, food contamination, and their potential implications for public health.
Dr Nswal has collaborated with academic teams and public health institutions in sub-Saharan Africa and Canada on projects focused on integrated disease surveillance, zoonoses, and One Health approaches. She has contributed to several research projects addressing integrated surveillance systems and antimicrobial resistance in low-resource contexts.
She is currently strengthening her competencies in antimicrobial resistance, health risk governance, and surveillance systems. In parallel, she has a growing interest in the ethical dimensions of public health interventions, including issues related to equity, institutional responsibility, and decision-making processes within One Health frameworks. Her work aims to support evidence-informed strategies that enhance food safety and protect population health.
Anjana Puliyanda, Machine Learning Scientist, Drug Discovery, Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute
Anjana works as a Machine Learning Scientist, Drug Discovery on the
Advanced Technology team to accelerate scientific exploration within biology
using AI for healthcare applications.
Prior to this, Anjana has developed automated workflows using structure-based generative AI and protein language models for in silico antibody engineering directed towards broadly achieving pandemic preparedness, while at Gandeeva Therapeutics.
Anjana has earned her PhD from the Department of Chemical and Materials
Engineering at the University of Alberta, and has subsequently pursued two
postdoctoral appointments. Her academic research experience has focused on
building applied ML for digital chemistry applications ranging from cheminformatics for automating reaction networks using spectroscopy; to
materials screening, and adsorption process simulations for carbon capture.
Andrew Purssell, Clinician Scientist, University Of Ottawa
Dr. Andrew Purssell is a Clinician-Scientist and Assistant Professor at the University of Ottawa, and an Associate Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. He earned his PhD in Microbiology and Immunology at Queen’s University under the supervision of Dr. Keith Poole, investigating the genetic regulation of antimicrobial resistance mediated by multidrug efflux pumps in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He subsequently received his MD from the University of British Columbia and completed residency training in Infectious Diseases at the University of Ottawa, followed by an academic scholar year focused on the development of novel sequencing-based bacterial diagnostics with Dr. Derek MacFadden. Dr. Purssell completed advanced clinical fellowship training in Transplant and Oncology Infectious Diseases at the University of Toronto, where he obtained an Area of Focused Competence designation in Solid Organ Transplantation.
Dr. Purssell’s clinical and research programs focus on improving the diagnosis and management of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections using novel genotypic and phenotypic approaches, with particular emphasis on how specific resistance mechanisms shape observed resistance phenotypes. In parallel, he leads studies of the fecal microbiome in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients to better understand antibiotic-driven microbial disruption and its relationship to breakthrough infection risk.
Nahidur Rahman, Phd Student, University Of Manitoba
Nahidur Rahman is a PhD student in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Manitoba. He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (2021) and an MSc in Microbiology (2023) from Sylhet Agricultural University, Bangladesh. He is co-supervised by Dr. Nazim Cicek and Dr. Hooman Derakhshani. His research focuses on understanding the antimicrobial resistance footprint in the agri-food sector through a One Health lens.
Ramim Tanver Rahman, Postdoctoral Scientist, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute
Md Ramim Tanver Rahman, PhD, is a Postdoctoral Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI), working under the leadership of Dr. Marisa Ann Azad. He earned his PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Université Laval, where he specialized in peptide chemistry and microbiology.
Dedicated to engineering the next generation of antimicrobial therapeutics, Dr. Rahman collaborates with multidisciplinary clinical teams to address the escalation of multidrug-resistant biofilms. Bridging pharmaceutical chemistry and clinical microbiology, he investigates diverse therapeutic strategies. A central focus of his current work is the rational design of synthetic peptides that "disarm" pathogens in complex orthopedic infections.
Driven by a vision of sustainable healthcare, Dr. Rahman’s research aligns with global One Health stewardship. He is committed to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to protect patient outcomes while preserving the efficacy of essential medicines for future generations.
Rob Renema, Farm Programs And Research Manager, Alberta Chicken Producers
Dr. Renema holds a Ph.D. in Animal Science (1997) from the University of Alberta, specializing in poultry growth, reproductive physiology, and management. He has studied the optimization of growth and reproductive processes in commercial poultry, as well as connections between maternal and offpring yield and efficiency traits in broiler breeders. Working for the Alberta Chicken Producers since 2014, he has shifted focus to themes of broiler management, flock health and welfare, food safety, emergency management, poultry research, and producer education.
With the shift away from antibiotic use in the broiler sector, he has become a specialist on the nutrition and management implications of growing broilers without antibiotics. He works closely with researchers and industry partners to understand the impacts that genetic selection, bird physiology, and production requirements have on poultry management practices.
Sarah Robinson, Postdoctoral Fellow, Simon Fraser University
Dr. Sarah Robinson is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. She holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and PhD with a Collaborative Specialization in One Health from the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on zoonotic and infectious diseases at the human-wildlife interface, the socio-economic dimensions of health threats, and the development of effective health communication strategies. Dr. Robinson integrates social science and public health frameworks to address complex challenges across human, animal, and environmental systems.
Jamie Rothenburger, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary
Dr. Jamie Rothenburger is an assistant professor, a veterinarian who practices pathology, a wildlife disease researcher and science writer. She grew up in rural Saskatchewan and studied veterinary medicine and veterinary pathology at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan. She completed a PhD at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, where she was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Gold Medal and the Forester Medal, the highest academic honours for graduating PhD students. She joined the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in February, 2018.
Her research adopts a One Health approach to infectious diseases, with particular emphasis on emerging and re emerging zoonoses. She has published on a range of host species, pathogens, and disease processes relevant to conservation, agriculture, and public health.
In addition to her academic work, Dr. Rothenburger writes a monthly column for The Western Producer, Canada’s largest agricultural newspaper, and has published more than 260 articles for general audiences on science, veterinary medicine, and animal health. She has also contributed transdisciplinary One Health scholarship to the growing field of Medical Humanities through a selected international conference presentation and a recently published book chapter in Outlander and Scotland: Touchstones and Signposts.
Cheryl Schroeder, Senior Advisor, Animal Health, Dairy Farmers Of Canada
Cheryl Schroeder is currently the Senior Advisor, Animal Health, for Dairy Farmers of Canada. She is an animal science expert, managing Animal Health topics (such as AMR and AMU) and Emergency management. In addition, she works very closely with Animal Health Canada and the various committees. Cheryl has spent over 20 years with the proAction program at both Dairy Farmers of Canada and Dairy Farmers of Manitoba.
Cheryl’s extensive history with dairy farming started on her family’s dairy farm in Manitoba and has been involved within the dairy industry since graduating from the University of Manitoba.
In her spare time, Cheryl enjoys spending time with her family at the cabin and watching Jets games.
Anya Smith, Senior Scientist, Communicable Disease Prevention and Response, BC Centre for Disease Control
In her current role as Senior Scientist, Communicable Disease Prevention and Response at the BC Centre for Disease Control, and as Clinical Assistant Professor within the UBC School of Population and Public Health, Dr. Anya F. Smith currently leads applied research and surveillance initiatives in enteric, zoonotic, and vector-borne diseases to directly inform disease prevention and public health response. She also has expertise in the epidemiology of various respiratory pathogens from conducting related research and surveillance in previous roles, and in First Nations health from her time working at the First Nations Health Authority leading provincial level health initiatives. She has a background in One Health and epidemiology extending back over 15 years, a PhD in veterinary medical sciences focused on zoonotic disease, and has been working as a health professional and public health leader in BC for over 10 years.
Bryan Tennant, Scientific Director, GSK
My career started at GSK in 2016, and I spent over 5 years as a Medical Science Liaison, first in Vaccines and then Oncology, before assuming the position of Scientific Director for Vaccines. In this role I worked with national organizations, public health and government stakeholders to help shape the immunization ecosystem to improve vaccine access and uptake for patients. I was later appointed to the position of Scientific Director for GSK Canada, where I am responsible for working with academia and biotech companies on potential strategic partnerships and interacting with key external partners and top scientific experts to improve the Canadian healthcare ecosystem and further demonstrate GSK’s scientific leadership.
Prior to joining GSK, I completed my PhD at the University of British Columbia in Cell and Developmental Biology exploring the role of transcriptional regulators in islet development and function. I also received my Master of Science degree from Simon Fraser University in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. Further, from 2002-2018, I was a member of the Department of National Defence and received the Canadian Forces Decoration and Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for my service.
Shauna Thomas, Veterinarian/ Law Student, University Of Ottawa
A veterinarian and graduating law student completing her JD with a Master’s in International Affairs, her research examines how law and policy shape antimicrobial stewardship across human, animal, and environmental sectors using a One Health framework. She brings prior professional experience in food systems and development, with work spanning agricultural sustainability, animal health, and knowledge translation in developing countries. She continues to practice clinically as a mixed-animal veterinarian on a part-time basis while completing her studies.
Cheryl Waldner, Professor/Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan
Dr. Cheryl Waldner is the NSERC/Beef Cattle Research Council Senior Research Chair in Beef Cattle Health in Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. Much of her current focus is on the development of tools to aid in managing herd health, as well as antimicrobial use and resistance in cow-calf herds and feedlots. She led the Genomic ASSETS project that wrapped up in 2025 together with Dr. Simon Otto. The group has since published numerous papers examining the potential for long read metagenomics to inform antimicrobial stewardship. She is actively involved in research examining factors affecting the productivity of cow-calf herds as the lead investigator for the Canadian Cow-Calf Health and Productivity Enhancement Network (C3H/PEN). Current and recent projects include infection prevention and control for respiratory disease, calf diarrhea, Johne’s disease, bovine genital campylobacteriosis and trichomoniasis. Cheryl and her husband own and operate a cow-calf herd in west Central Saskatchewan.
Dongyan Xu Niu, Associate Professor, University of Calgary
Dr. Dongyan Xu Niu is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary, an Adjunct Professor at both the Cumming School of Medicine (University of Calgary) and the University of Alberta, and the Director of the Microbiology Laboratory at Advancing Canadian Water Assets (ACWA). Her research bridges veterinary, human, and environmental microbiology, aligning strongly with One Health principles.
Dr. Xu Niu’s expertise centers on bacteriophage genomics and biology, phage therapy, food safety, and the detection and control of zoonotic pathogens. A major focus of her work is the development of phage based strategies as innovative alternatives to antimicrobials, addressing the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Her team investigates phage–host interactions, phage therapy applications in human and animal infectious diseases.
She has served as PI and co-I on more than 20 externally funded grants, with total value of over 8.6 M, supporting projects related to AMR mitigation, coronavirus and foodborne pathogen detection, and novel microbial control technologies. Dr. Xu Niu has authored or co‑authored over 60 peer‑reviewed publications, contributing significantly to advancing AMR research within an integrated One Health framework.
Lahiru Wenaida Waduge, Student, University of Calgary
I am a Master’s student at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, working under the supervision of Dr. Faizal Abdul-Careem. My research focuses on poultry virology, microbiology, and bioinformatics, with a particular emphasis on evaluating broiler barn dust as a population-level diagnostic tool to routinely monitor pathogens and antimicrobial resistance. My work integrates molecular techniques such as qPCR, virological assays, and shotgun metagenomic sequencing to investigate respiratory viruses and antimicrobial resistance genes in commercial poultry production systems.
I completed my Bachelor’s degree at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, where I developed a strong foundation in biological sciences and laboratory-based research. Prior to commencing my graduate studies, I gained professional experience in the food and aquaculture industries, which shaped my interest in applied research and industry-relevant problem solving.
My research interests include One Health-oriented surveillance, environmental sampling strategies, viral pathogenesis, and data-driven approaches for infectious disease monitoring. I have hands-on experience working with Infectious Bronchitis Virus, Infectious Laryngotracheitis Virus, and Avian Influenza Virus, and I routinely apply statistical and computational tools for data analysis and interpretation. I am actively involved in academic service, mentorship, and scientific communication, and I aspire to contribute research that supports sustainable poultry production.
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