Contact: Anissa Riley, College of Veterinary Medicine
Tuskegee University researchers and community partners’ research were highlighted and celebrated during the recent 26th Annual One Health Symposium and 13th Annual Phi Zeta Research Day. Undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, academicians, community leaders, public health practitioners and environmental health scientists gathered and presented research at the College of Veterinary Medicine on Sept. 15-16.
Tuskegee University President and CEO, Dr. Mark Brown, and Provost and Senior Vice-President of Academic Affairs Dr. Thierno Thiam, gave the opening session greetings. Dr. Brown emphasized the importance of this platform for exchanging ideas, presenting groundbreaking research and fostering collaborations.
“At Tuskegee, the commitment to research is ongoing. We conduct research that solves the world's most complex problems whether tackling polio, poverty, food insecurity, hypertension, or cancer. This symposium reflects Tuskegee University's enduring dedication to advancing science, education, and the betterment of humanity,” said Dr. Brown.
“The One Health Symposium celebrates the One Health Triad, which highlights the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health and the Phi Zeta Research Day features our students scholarly work through oral and poster presentations in which prizes are awarded,” said Dr. Ebony Gilbreath, interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.
“This year’s theme, “One Health: Uniting Human, Animal, and Environmental Health for Sustainability,” reflects Tuskegee University’s enduring commitment to tackle real-world challenges and advance initiatives that foster healthy people, healthy animals, and a healthier world.”
A special invitation was extended to senior students with an interest in the One Health triad at Booker T. Washington High School in Tuskegee, Alabama, to attend the session on the Bioethics Honors Program. 21 students from BTW attended with their school counselor and teacher.
This symposium was not only a forum for research collaborations but also allowed participants to learn about the exciting new interventions in biomedical research. Two students also presented posters during the One Health Symposium: Milahni Wilkerson and Shannon Willis. Day two focused on the Phi Zeta Research Day sessions which highlighted student contributions in research as an opportunity for them to share their research experiences with oral and poster presentations.
The Phi Zeta Research Day Oral and Poster Presentation student winners include the following: Poster Winners: 1st place – Andrew Heatherton and Qunitera Gordon; 2nd place - Glorianna Wright; 3rd place – Nautica Merrell, Zahra McIntosh; Graduate Student Award – Hilarie Uwamahero; Oral Winners: 1st place – Kendall Walden; 2nd place – Amiyah Raglan; 3rd place – Amber D. Cooper; Graduate Student Award – Esran Alnahrawy.
The One Health Symposium and Phi Zeta Research Day committee gives a special acknowledgement to all the keynote speakers, presenters, vendors and sponsors for their support. Sponsors: U.S. Department of Education, Boehringer Ingelheim, Elanco, Purina, and Zoetis. Vendors: Veterans Administration, Alabama Department of Public Health, South Central Alabama Development Commission, SpectraCare Health Systems, Inc., Macon Means, and Macon County Food Bank and Community Garden Project.
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