Discovering One Health in Unexpected Places
For Ashley Mayrianne Champagne, who goes by May, One Health was part of her career long before she formally studied it.
May’s journey began as a reporter in the U.S. Virgin Islands during the Zika virus epidemic. That experience sparked a career in science communications that expanded into human health risk assessments for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic, and environmental reporting focused on climate change.
“Looking back, I was doing One Health work the whole time... I just didn’t know it yet,” May says.
Research With Real-World Impact
As a student in the MSc in One Health program, May says one of the most rewarding parts of the experience has been seeing classroom concepts come to life beyond coursework.
“I really enjoy seeing how the concepts—especially those related to zoonoses—translate not just to my professional career, but also my personal life as a dog mom and horse rider,” she shares.
For May, One Health isn’t just an academic discipline. It’s a lens through which she views both her work and her everyday life.
Her thesis explores the potential environmental and health impacts of horse manure left on riding trails, particularly as supplements and antibiotics in equine diets become more common. The project reflects the multidisciplinary nature of One Health—connecting veterinary science, environmental stewardship, and public health in a way that could inform future policy and trail management practices.
Looking Ahead
May currently works at the National Geographic Society, where she hopes to apply what she’s learning through the organization’s new planetary health initiatives. While a PhD may be in her future, her current focus is completing her research and building on her One Health foundation.
Advice for Future One Health Students
For those considering a future in One Health, May offers practical advice: be prepared to explain what the field really means.
“While more practitioners are becoming familiar with the term One Health, there are still many professionals, and members of the public, who don’t fully understand it,” she says. “Have a definition ready, along with a few examples.”
As One Health continues to gain momentum worldwide, professionals like May are helping translate complex global challenges into meaningful action, proving that the future of health depends on understanding the connections between us all.
