One Health Scholar Award

The University of Arizona One Health Scholars Award invites UBC medical students or residents to apply to this award generously funded by by Dr. Evan and Louise Kligman and the University of Arizona College of Public Health.

The College of Public Health at the University Arizona (MEZCOPH) is a leader in ‘One Health’ research to investigate the health connections between humans, animals, and the environment.  One Health builds from the knowledge that human health is deeply interconnected with environmental and animal health, and uses this research perspective to solve complex health problems both locally and globally.

Planetary/global health requires an interdependent and sustainable living environment. Our One Health Scholars Award is intended to: motivate and support UA public health students and UBC medical students and R-3 global health residents to create or participate in small but reproducible research projects in underdeveloped and  diverse communities around the world; and,  nurture a generation of public health specialists and physicians working together in planetary health careers to promote global well-being through the interface between humans, animals, and planetary ecosystems. Humanity’s dependency on fossil fuel, the destruction of forests and fertile topsoil of agricultural land, and pollution of oceans and other waterways have already damaged the majority of the earth’s lands and seas, and the extinction of millions of animal and plant species.

Desired project proposals would focus on: the interconnectedness between human health and the health of planetary ecosystems; supporting the role of indigenous peoples in maintaining climate mitigation efforts and promoting healthy local ecosystems; projects that support healthy ecological determinants of health – soil, climate, water, biodiversity; reducing the adverse health impact of climate change on local communities/villages and resultant refugee relocation; improving the health of individuals by promoting native foods indigenous to their community, and/or salt water sea vegetables in areas lacking quality fresh water but accessible to salt water, by promoting stress (due to unhealthy local ecosystems)  reduction consistent with indigenous cultural ways, and by promoting other healthy lifestyles; incorporating sustainable ways for fresh water harvesting, organic gardening, and relevant alternative energy strategies.

2024 Call for applications:
In collaboration with the University of Arizona College of Public Health, the University of British Columbia Global Health Initiative is inviting UBC medical students to apply  for our annual One Health Scholars Award.  Funding available in 2024 = $1800 USD.
‘One Health’ research investigates the health connections between humans, animals, and the environment. One Health builds from the knowledge that human health is deeply interconnected with planetary environmental and animal health, and uses this research perspective to solve complex health problems, especially regarding the impact of global warming and climate change, both locally and globally. Indigenous student applicants will be given priority for the 2023 scholar award, but the successful applicant will not be limited only to Indigenous applicants. Applicants are encouraged to submit a research plan supporting the role of indigenous peoples in maintaining climate mitigation efforts and promoting healthy local ecosystems.”
If interested in applying, submit your application by completing the following online form by Feb 15, 2024.
If you have any questions prior to applying, please contact Dr. Videsh Kapoor  via ubc.ghi@gmail.com
Past One Health Scholars Projects:

The 2022 project invited UBC and U of Arizona students to collaborate in a project in Guatemala supervised by Dr. Frank von Hippel, PhD.  For more information on One Health Research Initiatives at the University of Arizona visit:  MEZCOPH One Health.

Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Working with Mayan communities in Guatemala’s Lake Atitlán watershed, a collaborative team including a UBC medical student or resident and a U of Arizona public health student will investigate neonatal exposure to pesticides and toxic metals.  This work will be funded by the U of Arizona’s Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center.  Student involvement will begin in February 2022 to prepare for 6 weeks of field work in Guatemala starting in June 2022.

For detailed information, please view the powerpoint slides:  GHI Scholars_ONE Health _Guatemala _ Summer 2022

One Health Scholar Award application form