Lian Thomas (MRCVS)

Lecturer in One Health and Food Systems

Contact details

Address

Street

International Livestock Research Institute, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya

City
Post code

Availability

  • Monday-Friday 07.30-3.30pm East African Time

Biography

Background

I am a lecturer in One Health and Food Systems at the University of Edinburgh but also hold a joint appointment as a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute in Nairobi, Kenya where I am currently based and lead a research group on neglected zoonoses within the BMZ funded ‘One Health Research Education & Outreach Centre in Africa’.

I am originally from the north coast of Cornwall, but studied veterinary medicine at St. Georges University in Grenada, West Indies and undertook research for my MSc in Uganda in conjunction with Makerere University. I completed my clinical veterinary training at the University of Edinburgh and subsequently obtained MRCVS by examination before rejoining the University of Edinburgh to undertake my PhD in in veterinary epidemiology.

I moved to Kenya in 2010 to undertake my PhD research and have remained in the region ever since, living in Kenya, Zimbabwe and Zambia but also collaborating on projects in Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda and Nigeria. My research focusses on the sustainable control of neglected zoonoses and spans field epidemiology, economic analysis and qualitative research on the context, barriers and drivers for disease transmission, surveillance & control. I am passionate about the application of One Health principles to complex challenges and supporting early career professionals to embrace these principles. I am a previous fellow and current trustee of the Soulsby Foundation for One Health which supports early career researchers with grant funding for One Health projects.

Qualifications

 PhD "Epidemiology of Taenia solium in western Kenya";  University of Edinburgh 

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine; St. Georges University, West Indies

MSc Animal Production; St. Georges University- West Indies

BSc (Hons) in Equine Science; Imperial College, London

Responsibilities & affiliations

PG Teaching Staff

Open to PhD supervision enquiries?

Yes

Research summary

I have a strong interest in the sustainable control of neglected zoonoses in low and middle income countries and the application of One Health principles to complex health and food system challenges. 

Current research interests

I am currently theme lead for neglected zoonoses within the BMZ funded One Health Research Education & Outreach Centre in Africa where we focus on understanding the context of zoonotic disease transmission and the acceptability and feasibility of control strategies using T. solium and Rabies as exemplar pathogens. I am also Co-I on a GIZ funded project assessing zoonotic disease risk in wild meat value chains supplying urban areas in Kenya and Nigeria.

Knowledge exchange

I undertake knowledge exchange activities with a variety of audiences including invited presentations at international conferences, engagement with the media and production of community facing educational material. I convened a 3 day hybrid conference for One Health in Kenya 6th-8th December. 

This article was published on