Putting the spotlight on toxicology and One Health
A new year has begun with new opportunities to strengthen the One Health approach at SLU in order to solve complex and interconnected challenges in plant, animal, human and ecosystem health.
In our first issue of 2025, we focus on the thematic area of toxicology related to environment and health. We highlight some important research projects at SLU on the risks of toxic substances in the environment, threatening our access to clean water, safe food and nutrition, and healthy ecosystems.
As always, we present a selection of One Health research, spotlighting young researchers who have recently defended their theses and earned their doctorates. Additionally, you get some tips on upcoming events.
Enjoy your reading!
Photo: Helena Nordhall, SLU
New dissertations within One Health
Congrats to Sebastian Pineda and Jean Pierre Mpatswenumugabo!
What is your research about?
"I’m Sebastian Pineda and I recently defended my PhD in Toxicology last October. My thesis focused on investigating the current status of complex chemical mixtures exposure in Swedish adolescents using epidemiological methods."
"My name is Jean Pierre M. Mpatswenumugabo, and I am a researcher with over 15 years of experience teaching at the University of Rwanda. My research expertise lies in food security, food safety, public health, and the One Health approach."
"We need methods to handle hazards and risks from chemicals in mixtures"
Hi Johan Lundqvist! Congratulations on your new position as a Professor of Toxicology. Can you tell us a bit about your research? How do you think the university supports interdisciplinary research like One Health? And how do you see the field of toxicology evolving in the next five to ten years, especially in relation to One Health?
How synthetic chemicals affect reproductive health in humans and animals
Hi Ida Hallberg! Can you tell us a bit about your research – what are the main challenges and opportunities in your research area to promote health and contribute to a more sustainable world? And how does all of this connect to the One Health concept?
PhD Project: Understanding PFAS
–
developing a calculator to assess the risk of chemicals in drinking water and food
PFAS, a group of chemicals that many are talking about, can be found in food and drinking water and accumulated in our bodies – yet we know so little about them. According to researchers, PFAS is a matter of concern for both the environment and health. But how serious is it that we are exposed to these chemicals? Carolina Vogs is investigating this and hopes to develop a programme that can calculate the risk for us.
Meet PhD student Carolina – and learn more about her research.
PhD Project: Happy feet –
improving cattle welfare and increasing food production in one
Animal welfare is a hot topic across various species right now, including cattle. However, the practice of keeping cows together in groups instead of individually in stalls has led to the escalation of a particular disease – a cocktail of bacteria that spreads quickly and close to the ground. Detecting this 'foot' disease in time is currently a challenge. This is something that Lex Roelofs' PhD project and extensive laboratory work aim to change.
Meet PhD student
Lex Roelof – and learn more about his research.
Two new research grants focused
on Toxicology and One Health are beginning work at the Department of Wildlife,
Fish & Environmental Studies.
One, from the Swedish Research Council (VR),
was awarded to Drs. Hussein Khalil, Erin McCallum, Daniel Cerveny, and
collaborators will study connection between pharmaceutical pollution and
zoonotic diseases spread by rats in urban populations.
Second, Dr. Natalia
Sandoval Herrera received a FORMAS Early Career Researcher Grant to study the
transfer of pharmaceutical pollutants from aquatic to terrestrial organisms,
exploring their impacts on health and disease in bats.
A selection of One Health research
SLU conducts interdisciplinary research in the One Health area. Here we present a selection of research projects, publications, as well as research results in the field.
(Primarily in English, Swedish if the content is not available in English).
Call for applications: Interdisciplinary Thematic Groups within SLU's Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) 2025-2026
The Interdisciplinary Academy (IDA) is a programme where SLU researchers are offered the opportunity to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries on complex issues in the broad field of sustainable transition.
Our aim with The One Health Breakfast Club is to stimulate interdisciplinary and cross-faculty collaborations. We meet and greet on a regular basis, to hopefully gain some new insights and inspiration while having breakfast together.
Join us when Harry Fischer, from the Department of Urban and Rural Development, talks about Forest restoration for health & wellbeing: Evidence from South Asia
