One Health Institute2015 Pilot Projects
In 2014, the One Health Initiative at Colorado State University provided grant funding to seven projects, with the goal to make innovation in health real and sustainable through the institutionalization of community-engaged transdisciplinary action research. These projects represent interests of all eight colleges at CSU, and teams are required to use systems thinking approaches to promote intersections and interfaces across disciplines. Research teams were formed with individuals from diverse backgrounds, representing CSU faculty, government agencies, non-profits, and community members. Topics range from anti-microbial resistance to food systems to the reintroduction of bison onto the Colorado plains, and funding allotments range from $15,000-$100,000.
Creating Sustainable Futures for People, Animals, and the Environment: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Bison Reintroduction
Summary: Develop an interdisciplinary model for species reintroduction that integrates the scientific tools necessary to address the socio-ecological and disease management complexities of Plains Bison reintroduction in the American West
Milestones: Birth of bison calves; release of bison bull into herd; 2nd year visitor survey about land usage culminating in preliminary results; continued monitoring of ecological impacts of bison herd; 1-year anniversary with community celebration; presentation of results at One Health Ecohealth Congress in Melbourne, Australia
Primary Investigator: Jennifer Barfield
International Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria (ARB) in Diverse Farm, Water, and Wastewater as Sources for Human Exposure
Summary: An international study of antimicrobial resistant bacteria (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Vancomycin-resistant Entercoccus, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase resistant Enterbacteriaceae, Carbapenem-resistant Enterbacteriaceae) from water/wastewater from hospital and agricultural sites across three study locations.
Milestones: Start of regular sampling and data generation for Drake Water Reclamation Facility, Poudre river, and hospital sewage; confirmation and pilot sampling of livestock and agriculture plots; exploration genomic screens and resistance genes; exploration of small molecule analysis; implementation of harmonized protocol across three sites (CSU, UNC, UNAN), preliminary analysis of clonality and combined data across sites; presentation of results at One Health EcoHealth Congress in Melbourne, Australia
Primary Investigator: Elizabeth Ryan
Development and Implementation of a Consortium to Assess the Role of Common Free-Living Amoebae (FLA) in Environmental Persistence and Facilitation of Pathogenic Organisms
Summary: Systematic evaluation of the role of environmental free-living amoebae (FLA) in the facilitation and persistence of important pathogens of critical concern (M. bovis, F. tularensis, and Y. pestis)
Milestones: Development of amoebal research models of M. bovis and F. tularensis; collection and analysis of environmental samples in Colorado and Ireland; identification of amoebae/bacterial species and strains of FLA from endemic environmental samples; start development of geospatial database and risk assessment models; addition of three team members; four manuscripts in preparation; biofilm invention disclosure related to DARPA project
Primary Investigator: Mary Jackson
Living at the “EDGE”: Translating Physiological-Metabolic Responses of Native Grassland Species to Engineer Drought Resistance in Crops
Summary: Developing drought resilient crops for healthy communities by increasing our fundamental knowledge on how plant carbon use – especially sorghum – affects drought resistance.
Milestones: Metabolic flux analysis on sorghum with data analysis; Submit proposal to complete greenhouse data collection; site visit #2; collection and preliminary analysis of metabolomics data at EDGE sites; begin tissue culture study with extraction testing and metabolite detection; submissions for external funding including proposal to DOE to measure carbon flux during drought response in bioenergy crops
Primary Investigator: Christie Peebles
One Health in Residential Ecosystems
Summary: We hope to better understand how to sustain ecosystem health and human well-being in an urbanizing world, examining elements like land health, human health, land use, wildlife health, economic health, livestock health, and domestic animal health as they relate to residential development and open space patterns. This grant helps us to develop research questions and apply for future funding.
Milestones: Receipt of EPA STAR grant with project entitled “From Indicators to Actions: Applying Meaningful Measures of Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being with Ecosystem Services” ($599,196, P.I. Liba Pejchar); pursuit of funding directly through donors and organizations; leverage of funds to hire MS student to implement research ideas
Primary Investigator: Liba Goldstein
Understanding Transmission and Consequences of Toxoplasma Gondii Infection
Summary: Develop a team of T. gondii research collaborators to capitalize on recent analytical serological assay advances to identify the sources of infections, and to identify sources of future funding.
Milestones: Collection and analysis of saliva samples from undergraduate students; preliminary results from saliva samples; presentation at 2016 Meeting of Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases about the relationship between T. gondii infection and human behavior; hiring of new PhD student to complete
analysis of feline data; transfer database records on T. gondii from domestic dogs cats to Center for Companion Animal Studies; new MS student hired to titrate the sporozoite antibody assay for use with cat serum; exploration of mechanisms to collect serum from deer.
Primary Investigator: Michael Lappin
Exploring Short Chain Food Systems
Summary: Employ the method of systems dynamic modeling to provide fresh insight into one of the most compelling social issues of the day, looking for new ways of partnering, new methods of engaging, and new possibility of solutions.
Milestones: Pilot Project in Routt County to develop systems modeling of their food system based on community goals; submission of additional funding opportunities through SoGES, Colorado Health Foundation, and NIFA; selection of teammates if additional funding is approved.
Primary Investigator: Marisa Bunning
Investment breakdown of the One Health Catalyst Grants.
