My interest in science, particularly in biological sciences, dates back to my early education, where I developed a special fascination with vectors responsible for zoonotic diseases. Before moving to Belgium and joining Kreavet, my professional work focused on surveillance, data collection, laboratory sample analysis, and result dissemination to communities.
I worked with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) on controlling Schistosomiasis, focusing on its transmission to school-going children and farmers in rice irrigation farms, as well as controlling the intermediate vector snails. Just before the COVID-19 pandemic, I was part of a collaborative project with the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE). We conducted intensive entomological surveillance of Leishmaniasis and Trypanosoma species harbored in sandflies that are found in livestock keeping regions of Kenya.
Over time, I learn that the findings were consistently highlighting three interconnected elements: humans, animals, and the environment. Clearly, I found the interconnectedness to be often overlooked, yet it is crucial for bridging the gap between societal, ecological, economic, animal, and human health regarding zoonotic disease transmission and sustainable development.
In 2022, I joined the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL) in Belgium to pursue a master’s degree in Sustainable Development with a focus on Ecology. My master’s thesis explored “The distribution, infection status, and ecology of snail intermediate hosts responsible for bovine and human diseases Lake Victoria and Lake Albert in Uganda,” contributing valuable insights into human and livestock well-being.
Through these multiple perspectives, I have gained a dynamic and interdisciplinary understanding of disease transmission, enabling me to contribute innovative and sustainable solutions within a One Health Approach. Joining Kreavet has provided me with the tools to further this work, as I support their sustainable animal health projects. Kreavet's focus is on comprehensively understanding the intricate intersections of animal health, the environment, and societies. This approach enhances sustainable livestock farming by securing a global supply of animal products, while also contributing to the livelihoods of farmers and achieving environmental and social goals.
Hannah Mwangi
