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The UCD One Health Centre
We are a dynamic, interdisciplinary hub dedicated to tackling global health challenges by recognising the deep interconnection between humans, animals, plants and the ecosystem as a whole. Based at University College Dublin, the Centre promotes innovative research, education, and policy development using a One Health approach - working at the intersection of scientific disciplines to address complex issues that no single field can solve alone.
Our Foundations
The Centre was established to bring together UCD’s exceptional strengths across multiple disciplines including veterinary and human medicine, public health, environmental science, agriculture, social sciences, engineering, law, politics and biomedical research. It was founded in response to the growing international consensus that many of the challenges that the world faces such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, non-infectious and infectious diseases and social inequity require integrated, cross-sectoral solutions.
The Centre builds on UCD’s long-standing commitment to translational research and its strong international partnerships. It acts as a focal point for collaboration between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities.
Our Leadership
The UCD One Health Centre is led by a dedicated team of professionals who reflect the Centre’s interdisciplinary mission:
Professor Tony Holohan, Director
(opens in a new window)Professor Holohan brings extensive experience in public health leadership, having served as Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer. His strategic vision guides the Centre’s efforts to shape national and global health policy through evidence-based, collaborative research.
Dr Gerald Barry, Deputy Director
(opens in a new window)Dr. Barry, a leading researcher in infectious diseases and veterinary public health, plays a central role in connecting human and animal health research, particularly in the context of emerging disease threats and surveillance. email: gerald.barry@ucd.ie
Dr Niamh McLoughlin, Executive Director
(opens in a new window)Dr. McLoughlin oversees the Centre’s operations, strategic partnerships, and outreach. Niamh has extensive management experience in a variety of research environments.
Our Mission
The Centre’s core mission is to foster and apply the One Health approach through:
Interdisciplinary Research
We support high-impact research projects that address the links between human, animal, and environmental health - covering topics such as pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate change.
Education and Capacity Building
We offer educational programmes and training opportunities to equip students, researchers, and professionals with the tools they need to work across disciplines. Our events and outreach initiatives promote One Health literacy among the public and policymakers.
Policy, Engagement and Advocacy
The Centre works closely with governmental bodies, NGOs, and international organisations to inform health policy, foster innovation, and contribute to evidence-based solutions at the national and global levels.
Our Vision and Values
The vision of One Health UCD is to maximise the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and the environment through academic excellence, collaborative research, education, and outreach. UCD aims to provide students with a broad perspective of the world, enabling them to be adaptive, responsive, and capable of solving global challenges by approaching them from multiple angles.