At Ross Vet, our MSc in One Health program brings together professionals from around the world who are passionate about improving health outcomes across species and communities. One of those professionals is Dr. Roulex George Owino, a large animal veterinarian whose work is making a meaningful impact in Africa.
A Veterinarian with a Mission
Dr. Owino, who is currently based in Malawi, focuses on smallholder livestock development, supporting farmers whose livelihoods depend on healthy dairy herds and sustainable agricultural practices. Working with these communities has given him firsthand insight into the devastating impact of zoonotic diseases—infections transmitted between animals and humans—on public health, economic stability, and food security.
Why One Health?
The emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases over the past decade led Dr. Owino to seek an interdisciplinary solution. "I needed something that could be used in both public health and veterinary settings," he explains. "And One Health sprang to mind."
The One Health approach emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration to tackle health issues at the intersection of people, animals, and the environment. For professionals like Dr. Owino, it provides a framework to drive meaningful, sustainable change.
A Global Classroom Experience
For Dr. Owino, the highlight of the MSc in One Health program has been the wide range of perspectives within the classroom. He has had the opportunity to interact with students from around the world, each bringing unique cultural, professional, and academic experiences.
“The blend of sharing personal knowledge and experience is what made the course entertaining and unique,” he shares. “I’ve learned just as much from my classmates as from my lecturers, who are at the cutting edge of their areas of expertise.”
This global learning environment reflects the very essence of One Health: collaboration across borders and disciplines.
Looking Ahead: Tackling Zoonotic Disease in Malawi
After graduation, Dr. Owino will focus on combating bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis among smallholder dairy farmers in Malawi. By fostering collaboration between veterinary professionals, medical practitioners, researchers, and community stakeholders, he aims to improve animal health, public health, and economic resilience.
For professionals passionate about global health, interdisciplinary collaboration, and meaningful impact, the MSc in One Health at Ross Vet offers the knowledge, network, and perspective to make a difference—just as Dr. Roulex George Owino is doing across Africa.
