Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Mastering Applied Epidemiology: Bridging animal and human health

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

Mastering Applied Epidemiology: Bridging animal and human health

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
  • Biosecurity
8 June 2024

The Department is currently hosting a Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE) Scholar from the Australian National University, Michaela Gilbert, who during her two-year placement is contributing to animal health epidemiology projects across the department, including the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (OCVO).

Image of Michaela Gilbert, who is currently completing a Master of Applied Epidemiology at DAFF.
Michaela Gilbert is currently completing a Master of Applied Epidemiology at DAFF. Credit: Michaela Gilbert

The MAE program is run through the Australian National University and involves two years of on-the-job training and intensive course blocks to produce experienced graduates. Scholars complete several projects to demonstrate their skills in epidemiology and submit a thesis at the conclusion of the program.

Epidemiology is the study of disease in a population with the aim of better preventing and controlling disease. A population could be a group of humans, animals or even plants. Most epidemiologists working in the department are focussed on animal health.

Understanding how disease affects animal populations is important for our industries. The Australian pork industry was impacted by an outbreak of Japanese encephalitis in 2022, but the severity of the impact varied between herds. Michaela is investigating how the disease affected different pig farms and whether any risk factors explain the different levels of disease. This will improve our understanding of Japanese encephalitis in Australian pig populations and may help to minimise impacts of future outbreaks.

Along with assisting the Department with domestic work, Michaela has also assisted working with Department’s overseas partners. In July 2023, the Solomon Islands Government sought Australia’s aid to investigate an outbreak of very virulent infectious bursal disease. This important disease of chickens causes large numbers of deaths in chicken flocks, resulting in income losses for farmers. Michaela has applied her epidemiology skills to support the investigation.

Michaela’s placement with the department has advanced her epidemiology skills and her understanding of One Health, and she has made valuable contributions to several important projects. Michaela’s background in public health has also complemented her current work in animal health epidemiology. One Health recognises the connections between human health, animal health and ecosystem health, and Michaela’s experience will help her foster cross-sector collaboration in the future. She hopes to continue working in One Health after completing the MAE.

Applications for the 2025 MAE program close 21 July 2024 and there is further information available at: Master of Applied Epidemiology Program.

Read more articles from the Three-Chiefs Newsletter

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Related

Image of a group of people sitting in a room, watching a presentation on a screen

Human Animal Spillover and Emerging Diseases Scanning (HASEDS) Group

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
06 March 2025
Image of 2 ducks, one in the foreground, one in the background

Pest profile: Duck viral enteritis

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
03 March 2025
Image of a group of people standing around a tree, with one person demonstrating how to hang a flu trap - cut off image

Australia’s focus on regional work in animal and plant health

  • Newsletter
  • Plants
03 February 2025
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 20 June 2024

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram