The Derry Dialogues, made possible by the vision and support of Margaret and Douglas Derry, embody the ideas and values of interdisciplinary approaches to the big issues of our time. The speakers in this annual series reflect the values of the University of Guelph and are engaged in holistic, rigorous and interdisciplinary engagement as much in the public arena as in the academy.

One Health and the Derry Dialogues

This year, the Derry Dialogues will focus on One Health with the objective to instill an understanding of One Health through the examples of a range of speakers from a wide variety of disciplines. The speakers will address One Health approaches to:

• Emerging global threats of antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases
• Working at the veterinary and medical interface in East Africa
• Environmental change due to anthropogenic early life stresses in wildlife

What is One Health?

One Health is defined as a collaborative, multisectoral and transdisciplinary approach — working at the local, regional, national and global levels.

The One Health concept recognizes the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment. Using a One Health approach will allow today’s researchers and thought leaders to work towards holistic, comprehensive solutions to complex problems, achieving optimal health outcomes for both people and animals.

Panel Members:

Janetrix Hellen Amuguni

Associate Professor | Infectious Diseases – Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University

Dr. Amuguni is a veterinarian with doctoral training in Infectious Diseases. She uses a One Health approach to investigate, respond to, and counter existing and future emerging infectious disease, strengthening the public health workforce.  

Alice Hovorka

Dean & Professor | Faculty of Environmental Studies – York University

Dr. Hovorka’s research includes animal geographies, gender and environment, urban geography, and Southern Africa. 

Amy Newman

Associate Professor | Department of Integrative Biology – University of Guelph

Dr. Newman is an ecophysiologist, focusing on understanding how early life stress exposure influences physiology, behaviour and, ultimately, fitness. 

Scott Weese

Professor | Department of Pathobiology – Director| Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses – University of Guelph

Dr. Weese is a veterinary internist and microbiologist, dedicated to the study of infectious and zoonotic diseases, multi-drug resistant pathogens, and interspecies transmission of pathogens.