March 2010: Summer project – ‘One Health’ in Kenya

This vacancy is no longer open.  Thanks for your interest.Summer project during June - July 2010

An opportunity is available for a veterinary student to spend two months in Kenya working as part of a field-team, who are investigating the epidemiology of zoonotic diseases in the human and animal population. This multi-disciplinary team, lead by Dr Eric Fèvre of the University of Edinburgh, consists of veterinarians, epidemiologists and medical health professionals and has a strong ’One health, One Medicine’ ethos.

The student will be involved specifically in a component of the study which aims to determine the prevalence of cysticercosis in pigs slaughtered in the western province of Kenya. Data collection will involve detection of cysts in pig carcasses at slaughter as well as the collection of blood samples for later serological testing. As part of the wider field-team there will also be the opportunity to gain experience in obtaining venous blood samples from cattle and pigs, and undertaking clinical examinations on East African livestock. A small but well equipped laboratory provides facilities in which the student may assist with the processing of blood and faecal samples, thereby gaining experience at microscopic detection of blood-borne, intestinal parasites and in basic clinical pathology.

The project will provide the selected student with experience of field work in a relatively remote part of a developing nation and exposure to the public health issues surrounding meat quality and zoonotic diseases. It is a fabulous opportunity for a motivated student who is interested in a career in either public health or global animal health to gain valuable practical experience.

Accommodation in Kenya will be provided in a shared project house and there will be the opportunity to travel at the weekends, Western Kenya is well provided with good hiking opportunities and neighbouring Uganda also hosts many attractions.

Applications are invited from veterinary students who have completed at least 2 years of pre-clinical studies. To apply please send your CV, a 500-word statement of motivation and details of 2 referees to: L.doble@sms.ed.ac.uk  by the 25th March 2010.  Please feel free to contact L.doble@sms.ed.ac.uk with any enquires relating to this project.