A Huge Thank You!
We would like to send our best wishes to our Consortium members, specifically the clinicians who are working on the front lines during this crisis. Thank you to all of the researchers, technicians, scientists, professors and students who are still continuing to work diligently, even though our lives have dramatically changed.
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Our Website is Live!
We have big news! Not only do we have a shiny new logo, we launched our brand new website on May 1st! Check it out at www.amronehealthconsortium.ca. Please send job postings, news or publications to Golsa Kalfifi at golsa.kalfifi@ucalgary.ca to be featured on the website.
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Information Architecture Activity for COVID-19
WHO is doing a deep analysis of what sort of information truly matters to the public and professionals when it comes to COVID-19. This work is being led by Gerry McGovern, founder and CEO of Customer Carewords. A multidisciplinary, cross-national collaboration from health agencies and experts in Ireland, Norway, Canada, UK, Belgium and New Zealand has started this work. The top tasks were identified by examining common search terms from multiple national health sites and WHO. A ranking process was carried out on these terms. Now, an online card sort activity is open to the public (and professionals) to help develop categories and examine organizational preferences based on demographics, roles, etc.
The team is working to co-design an information architecture structure (IA) for COVID-19. The plan is to create an IA pandemic template that will work for COVID-19 and future pandemics. The intent is to make the data publicly available at some point in the future. If you would like to participate in this card sort activity, please click here. If you would like to receive updates on this study, please contact Brian Traynor at btraynor@mtroyal.ca.
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Antimicrobial Resistance of Human Campylobacter Species Infections in Saskatchewan, Canada (1999-2006): A Historical Provincial Collection of All Reported Cases
Dr. Simon Otto, Dr. Richard Reid-Smith and Dr. Scott McEwen recently published the first and most current report of AMR of the collective human Campylobacter isolates from a province in Canada. It provides a historical baseline of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles for human clinical Campylobacter species isolates, which current and future resistance patterns can be compared. To read this publication check it out Pub Med.
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Exploring Phenotypes for Disease Resilience in Pigs Using Complete Blood Count Data from a Natural Disease Challenge Model
Dr. Graham Plastow and Dr. Michael Dyck's research on disease resilience as a valuable trait in helping manage infectious diseases in livestock, was recently published in the Frontiers in Genetics Journal. It explains that improved disease resilience can sustainably increase production efficiency, as resilient animals maintain their performance in the face of infection. Click here to read the full publication.
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Surveillance of Enterococcus spp. reveals distinct species and antimicrobial resistance diversity across a One-Health continuum
Nature Research recently published Dr. Tim McAllister and Dr. Rahat Zaheer's One-Health investigation of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus spp., isolates from humans and beef cattle along with abattoirs, manured fields, natural streams, and wastewater from both urban and cattle feedlot sources. Species identification of Enterococcus revealed distinct associations across the continuum. To read the full publication click here.
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Industry incentives and antibiotic resistance: an introduction to the antibiotic susceptibility bonus
Large new financial incentives to accelerate antibiotic research and development, such as market entry rewards (MERs), are being considered during a time of increasing resistance rates. There is, however, little focus on how to sustain the efficacy of new, promising antibiotics reaching the market. Dr. Aidan Hollis' paper in The Journal of Antibiotics, outlines an approach to realign the incentives of pharmaceutical companies with wider antibiotic conservation efforts by making a staged bonus a component of an MER for antibiotic developers when resistance to their drug remains low over time. You can read the full publication here.
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European Union Summary Report on Antimicrobial Resistance in zoonotic and indicator bacteria from humans, animals and food in 2017/2018
This article, published in the European Food Safety Authority Journal, provides an overview of the main findings of the 2017/2018 harmonised AMR monitoring in main-food producing animal populations. 2017 monitoring specially focused on pigs and calves, while 2018 monitoring focused on poultry. Click here to read the full publication.
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UCalgary researchers tapped to help mitigate spread of coronavirus
Three University of Calgary-led research teams including Dr. Dylan Pillai and Dr. Myles Leslie, AMR – One Health Consortium Principal Investigators, have received over $1.6 million in federal funding to accelerate the development, testing and implementation of countermeasures to mitigate the rapid spread of COVID-19, and its consequences on people and communities. They are pursuing the development of point-of-care testing for use in pandemics like COVID-19, and are working to create a tool that will enable health-care workers to rapidly identify the virus using portable, bedside testing methods. To read the full article click here.
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The Effects of COVID-19 on the Health System: Legal and Ethical Tensions Part II
Dr. Lorian Hardcastle discussed two legal and ethical tensions in the UofC Faculty of Law Blog: health care priority setting in the face of scarce resources, and the disproportionate effects of public health measures on vulnerable people. Click here to access the blog.
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Premier Kenney says he might bring in tests and vaccines for COVID-19 not yet approved by Health Canada
In a recent interview on the Ryan Jespersen Show, Dr. Lorian Hardcastle, Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law at the UofC, was featured discussing the legality and logistical concerns of Premier Kenney's statement, regarding Alberta importing COVID-19 tests, medicines, and vaccines approved in jurisdictions outside of Canada. To listen to full interview click here.
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JPIAMR Network Plus 2020 Call
The Joint Programming Initiative on Antimicrobial Resistance (JPIAMR) is an international collaborative platform, engaging 28 member nations that coordinate national research funding to advancements in AMR knowledge. The intent of the call is to support networks to design and implement ways to support AMR research considering at least one of the six strategic areas of the JPIAMR Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda. The Networks are encouraged to bridge multiple One Health areas, and should develop and implement activities focusing on AMR within the domains of Human Health, Animal Health, and the Environment. The total amount available for this funding opportunity is CAD $604,000, enough to fund approximately two (2) Network grants. Due to the current COVID-19 situation the deadline for the call has been postponed to May 28th. The Consortium will not be applying to the call this year, however, if you are interested we will support your efforts.
Deadlines:
1) Closing of the Call: May 282) Notice of Decision: End of September
3) Start of the Network: End of 2020/early 2021
For more details about eligibility, guidelines and how to apply, click here.
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2020 Large-Scale Applied Research Project Competition
Genome Canada, in partnership with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), has launched this competition focusing on the application of genomics in Canada's natural resources and environment sectors and addresses challenges and opportunities of importance to Canada. The goal is to support applied research projects that use genomic approaches in Canada's natural resources and environment sectors. Dr. Joe Harrison is leading an LSARP application in collaboration with Aidan Hollis, Lorian Hardcastle, Herman Barkema, Vincent Burrus, Darren Derksen, Dominic Frignon, Lee Jackson, Tim McAllister, Andrew McArthur, Lucija Muehlenbachs, Alexei Savchenko, Ed Topp and Athan Zovoilis. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Dr. Harrison at jjharris@ucalgary.ca. Please note the following updated deadlines:
1) Pre-application draft: Late May, 2020
2) Final pre-applications: Late July, 2020
3) Notification of pre-application results: October 2020.
4) Full application draft: Mid November, 2020
5) Final full application: Late December, 2020
Click here for more details. |
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Science Communication Skills Grant
The AMR - One Health Consortium has submitted a notice of intent for the NSERC Science Communications Skills grant, led by Herman Barkema, in collaboration with Myles Leslie, Lorian Hardcastle, Joe Harrison, Matthias Gotte, and Tim McAllister. This grant supports organizations providing science communication skills training to students, fellows, and faculty in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) from Canadian postsecondary institutions. If you have ideas on specific activities you would like to see funded for the AMR - One Health Consortium, please email Rose Geransar at rmgerans@ucalgary.ca no later than May 15.
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Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants
The goal of the Idea to Innovation (I2I) Grants is to accelerate the pre-competitive development of promising technology originating from the university and college sector and promote its transfer to a new or established Canadian company. These grants provide funding to college and university faculty members to support research and development projects with recognized technology transfer potential. Four distinct funding options are proposed, which are characterized by the maturity of the technology or the involvement of an early-stage investment entity or an industrial partner. This competition is offered 4 times a year: Jan 6, Mar 30, June 22 (revised) & Sept 28.
1) University of Calgary internal deadline: June 18, 2020
2) Sponsor Application Deadline: June 22, 2020
Click here for more details. |
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One Health: Connecting Humans, Animals and the Environment
Online Course
This free online course explores how One Health works in practice, bringing together different scientific perspectives. Topics include: advantages of a closer cooperation between human and animal health, social-ecological perspectives for the improvement of human and animal well-being, environmental policy and law that supports food safety, and shortfalls resulting from poor communication between human doctors and veterinarians. Visit www.futurelearn.com for more information.
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AAVM Conference
June 30 - July 3, 2020
Brussels, Belgium
The 10th International Conference on Antimicrobial Agents in Veterinary Medicine is still planned to take place June 30-July 3. This conference is one of the leading meetings in its field, and will spotlight research on new and alternative antimicrobial molecules, early detection of diseases, and biosafety and control measures for infections in intensive farms. Please visit https://www.aavmconference.com/ for conference information, updates and registration. Abstract submission extended to May 1, 2020, and early registration rates available until May 15, 2020.
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6th World One Health Congress
Oct 30 - Nov 3, 2020
Edinburgh, Scotland
Call for abstracts! The World One Health Congress (WOH2020) has added an extra session on the 2019 novel coronavirus, and is specifically calling for abstracts with an emphasis on: Pathogenesis and clinical manifestations, Virology and epidemiology, Intervention strategies, and Clinical and outbreak management. Abstract deadline September 18, 2020. Early bird pricing available. Please visit https://worldonehealthcongress.org/ for more information.
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One Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference
New Dates! November 19-20, 2020
Edmonton, AB
The One Health Antimicrobial Stewardship Conference has been reschedule to Nov 19-20, 2020. This conference, presented by the ABVMA, will focus on antimicrobial stewardship and the challenges facing animal, human and environmental health in Western Canada. Interested in attending? More details can be found at: www.ohab.ca/one-health-2020/. Online booking for accommodations and registration will reopen August 2020. |
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AACTING Conference
December 3 - 4, 2020
Hannover, Germany
Call for abstracts! The AACTING consortium is hosting the third international AACTING Conference focusing on antimicrobial usage in veterinary medicine and antimicrobial stewardship, benchmarking and action plans. Keynote presentation topics include: different metrics for the quantification of antimicrobial usage, antimicrobial use in animals in SE Asia, impact of new EU guidelines on antimicrobials and consequences for veterinarians and farmers in the field and for those involved in data collection, and measures to reduce antimicrobial use. For more information visit https://aacting.org. Abstract submission deadline July 31.
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Inventures 2020
POSTPONED to June 2-4, 2021
Calgary, AB
The in-person event may be cancelled, but Inventures is going viral! Your Inventures 2020 pass includes access to Inventures Unbound, a platform for innovators, investors and industry to share, inspire and interconnect virtually, including live streamed events, access to experts, pitch events and more! Your 2020 pass also includes access to Inventures 2021, plus a free 2021 pass for a friend. To access this pass please email registration@adeointeractive.com.
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One Health, One Future
POSTPONED, Dates TBD
Fairbanks, Alaska
The University of Alaska Fairbanks Centre for One Health Research has postponed the international One Health, One Future Conference. All registrations will be refunded, with refunds issued in 2-4 weeks. Please contact uaf-onehealth-team@alaska.edu if you have questions. |
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One Health International BSc and MSc Summer School
CANCELLED
University of Bern, Switzerland
The International Bachelor and Master Summer School planned for August 2020 has regretfully been cancelled. The University of Bern hopes to offer a new one in 2021.Please visit onehealth.unibe.ch/ibss for updates.
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CAHLN Conference
CANCELLED
Foothills Campus, University of Calgary
The Canadian Animal Health Laboratorians Network (CAHLN) was created to facilitate exchange of information on trends, techniques and research in the field of animal health diagnostics. The June conference at the Foothills Campus has been cancelled, but we look forward to future annual meetings in Calgary in 2021, and Abbotsford, BC in 2022. If you have questions please contact jdav@ucalgary.ca or scalderl@ucalgary.ca.
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Recruitment Opportunities
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Graduate Students in Advancing Canadian Wastewater Assets (ACWA)
ACWA is seeking graduate students (PhD preferred but exceptional MSc candidates will be considered) to work in a collaborative environment in the area of wastewater treatment plants. Please click here for more details.
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Graduate Students in The Tyrrell Research Laboratory
The Tyrrell Research Laboratory is looking for two Graduate Students to work on projects involving epidemiologic aspects of Group A streptococci (StrepA), and virulence mechanisms of Group B streptococci (GBS). Please visit the AMR - One Health Consortium website for more information.
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Graduate Student in Beef Calf Health and Welfare
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary, is seeking a graduate student (preferred MSc), with interest in the beef cattle industry for a project on beef calf health and behavior around weaning. Preferred start date is September 2020. Please click here for more information on this position and how to apply.
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