From Dublin to London and Back to UCD: A Full Circle Journey in One Health 

My interest in One Health started long before I knew the term itself. I grew up in Dublin, but both my parents are from the countryside, with strong agricultural roots. Although I wasn’t raised on a farm, agriculture was a constant presence through family visits, conversations, and the values that shaped my early understanding of the world. Visiting my family farm fostered a deep appreciation for animals and sparked a growing curiosity about how they interact with people and their environments. Over time, that early interest grew into a broader awareness of the deep connections between agriculture, health, and the environment.

I first heard of One Health during my third year at UCD, and the concept immediately resonated with me. That same year, I joined UCD’s One Health Society and served as the Agricultural Representative. This experience enabled me to explore these ideas collaboratively and advocate for the agricultural perspective within One Health discussions. It solidified my desire to advance in this field. It prompted me to apply for the MSc One Health: Ecosystems, Humans, and Animals, delivered jointly by the Royal Veterinary College and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Moving to London was a significant change, but it offered incredible opportunities. I was awarded a postgraduate bursary based on my academic merit and my application essay, which highlighted my passion for One Health from an agricultural perspective. The course itself was dynamic and diverse; we covered topics from veterinary epidemiology and pandemic preparedness to environmental factors affecting public health outcomes. 

What made the programme particularly rewarding was the people. I had the chance to work alongside peers from around the world, veterinarians, medics, environmental scientists, an economist, and a pharmacist, each bringing their own perspective but sharing a common goal: to improve health outcomes for people, animals, and the planet. We supported each other through every assignment, deadline, and challenge. We learned from one another just as much as we learned from the course. It made the hard work not only manageable but genuinely enjoyable. 

After six months of intensive lectures, I have now come full circle, returning to UCD, where I am working on a lab-based thesis researching vitamin D deficiency in peri-partum Irish dairy cows from a one health perspective. It is incredibly exciting to see my B.Agr.Sc and MSc come together in practice. I am applying the scientific principles I gained through Animal Science, along with the systems-thinking and interdisciplinary approach I developed during my master's. 

I am genuinely grateful for my time at UCD and the opportunity to study at both the RVC and LSHTM. Each step has broadened my perspective and strengthened my commitment to improving health across all systems. One Health has never been more vital. From climate change to antimicrobial resistance and emerging zoonotic diseases, the challenges we face today do not fit neatly into separate categories; they cut across sectors, borders, and species. The One Health approach recognises that human, animal, and environmental health are deeply interconnected, and addressing one part of the puzzle requires considering the entire system. For anyone contemplating a bachelor's degree in animal science, especially those from a non-agricultural background, don’t dismiss the possibility. This field calls for diverse thinkers and passionate problem solvers. My journey has shown me how varied the path can be and how crucial it is to take that initial step.