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The First EUP AH&W Summer School

The first EUP AH&W Summer School brought together Early Career Researchers (including PhD students) from member institutes of the partnership for an intensive week of learning, exchange, and collaboration.

Hosted at the University of Surrey in July 2025, the programme connected participants with leading experts and peers while exploring key topics in animal health and welfare, including:

  • Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for animal health and welfare assessment
  • Antimicrobial use stewardship
  • Surveillance of animal pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Biosecurity measures for controlling infectious diseases and AMR on farms
  • Advantages and disadvantages of using Animal-Based Measures (ABMs) to assess animal welfare
  • Current challenges and novel compounds for animal disease treatment
  • Vaccines and diagnostics

The Summer School provided a platform for professional growth, networking, and advancing knowledge to address pressing challenges in animal health and welfare.

đź“© For further details, please contact eupahw-communications(a)surrey.ac.uk.

Bios and Testimonials

The EUP AH&W Summer School brings together early career researchers, PhD students, and experts from across Europe to exchange knowledge, build skills, and strengthen collaborations in animal health and welfare.

Our Alumni Network is a growing community of past participants who continue to carry forward the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Here, alumni can stay connected, share experiences, and explore opportunities that extend beyond the Summer School itself.

EUP AH&W Summer School Alumni Community

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The EUP AH&W Summer School brings together early career researchers, PhD students, and experts from across Europe to exchange knowledge, build skills, and strengthen collaborations in animal health and welfare. Our Alumni Network is a growing community of past participants who continue to carry forward the spirit of collaboration, innovation, and excellence. Here, alumni can stay connected, share experiences, and explore opportunities that extend beyond the Summer School itself.

By joining this network, you are part of a diverse group of professionals shaping the future of animal health and welfare—through research, practice, and policy. Together, our alumni ensure that the knowledge gained at the Summer School continues to have a lasting impact across Europe and beyond.

Connect. Collaborate. Continue the journey.

Alba González Chofre.png

My name is Alba González Chofre, and I am a first-year PhD student at IRTA in Barcelona, Spain. With a background in Biology and a master’s in Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, my research focuses on the genetic improvement of swine health by identifying and validating biomarkers for immunocompetence.

Attending the first EUP AH&W Summer School at the University of Surrey was an enriching experience, allowing me to expand my knowledge, particularly in animal welfare, and to gain a deeper understanding of the projects carried out within the partnership. Beyond the academic program, I truly appreciate the friendly space created through social activities and debates, which gave us the opportunity to connect with colleagues from different backgrounds.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Alessandro Bellato, a Postdoctoral researcher based in Turin, Italy. A veterinarian with a degree in Animal Sciences, I completed a Master of Science in Epidemiology and a PhD in Veterinary Epidemiology. Since 2024, I have been a resident in Veterinary Clinical Microbiology, integrating epidemiology and microbiology in my research.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was a valuable opportunity to connect with inspiring and supportive colleagues, building meaningful networks for future projects. I particularly enjoyed exchanging views during the mock debate on current and future challenges in veterinary medicine. The excursions were also enriching, offering insights into animal health surveillance and control systems in a non-EU country, allowing me to explore approaches to diseases different from those I usually encounter in my work environment.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Alessia RusinĂ . I am a veterinarian and PhD student in Veterinary Sciences for Food and Animal Safety at the University of Turin, Italy. My research focuses on the risk assessment of swine influenza in pig farms

The EUP AH&W Summer School was a great opportunity to connect with people sharing similar interests but coming from different scientific backgrounds and experiences, in an international environment. The program offered several chances to engage, from the social dinner to group activities such as the debate exercise on important topics, which I found both challenging and exciting. I also really enjoyed visiting the Animal and Plant Health Agency, with its insightful tours and presentations.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Alice Jacobsen is a veterinarian and doctoral student at the University of Surrey. She is undertaking research that is evaluating the effectiveness of antimicrobial resistance interventions in the animal health sector with a focus on poultry production in Nigeria.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was a great opportunity to meet like-minded early-career researchers and dive into topics that are of interest to me. We visited the Animal and Plant Health Agency, which offered a great insight into their research and mission. It is always great fun to work in a transdisciplinary environment and learn from each other.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Elena Diaz Vicuna, and I am a veterinarian and PhD candidate at the University of Turin. My main interests include sustainability and welfare improvement in livestock species. Through my academic journey, I have cooperated with research teams from Sweden, the UK, and Spain.

My experience can be summed up in two words: internationality and intersectionality, thanks to a heterogeneous group of participants. The program included lectures and field trips, such as a visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency Weybridge, a leading UK institution in veterinary public health. The School created an enriching environment where researchers shared unique perspectives on animal health and welfare, encouraging dialogue, mutual learning, and valuable new connections.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Ender Mengeş. I am a veterinarian who is currently a doctoral researcher at the Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute in Germany. My research focuses on how immune responses influence pigs’ susceptibility to viral infections within populations.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was an excellent opportunity to gain new insights into diverse scientific perspectives. I particularly enjoyed the discussions on artificial intelligence, a subject of great importance worldwide. Beyond the academic content, it was a great experience to connect with colleagues from different backgrounds and disciplines. Exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and building networks with them was wonderful.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Enea Ovedani, I earned an MSc in Biotechnologies for Food Sciences, and I am a researcher scholar at the Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science (BCA) at the University of Padua (UNIPD).

Attending the EUP AH&W Summer School was an enriching professional experience: engaging lectures provided excellent knowledge and prompted further research in animal welfare, vaccines, and rapid diagnostics. Group activities facilitated valuable exchanges with peers from diverse backgrounds, and the speakers’ availability during breaks and lunches enabled deeper discussion. The visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Georgina Molero.png

My name is Georgina Molero, and I am from Barcelona. I am pursuing a PhD in the field of animal biosecurity, focused on non-intensive livestock farms. I am still in my first year and hope to learn a great deal from both my research and the people I meet along the way.

As an early-stage career fellow, attending the EUP AH&W Summer School was one of my first experiences in my PhD journey. It was a fantastic opportunity to broaden my horizons and connect with professionals in the same field from various countries. I thoroughly enjoyed the diverse lectures, the planned visits to official settings, and the lab session. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in attending future editions.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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My name is Giorgia Fabbri, and I am a veterinary researcher at the University of Padova (Italy). I hold a PhD in cattle lameness diagnostics and a postdoc in Canada on digital dermatitis. My research focuses on precision livestock farming, animal welfare, and innovative solutions for cattle health.

Attending the EUP AH&W Summer School was an inspiring experience. The interactive lectures allowed me to delve into new areas of animal health and welfare, as well as deepen my knowledge of familiar topics. Visits to local research and surveillance facilities provided insight into UK practices, while social events and exploring Surrey with fellow researchers made the experience both enjoyable and memorable.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Giorgia Riuzzi graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Padova in 2012 and has been researching animal health and welfare, as well as sustainable rearing techniques. By participating in national and international projects, she also learnt about science dissemination. In 2022, she started her PhD in Animal and Food Science in Padova, and in collaboration with the IZSVe, she applied participatory approaches to produce a framework for planning GIS projects for aquatic animal health management.

My experience at the first EUP AH&W Summer School at the University of Surrey was very positive. I think the organisers managed to harmonize different but accessible lessons covering a fairly wide range of topics so that everyone could have an understanding of the main research areas covered by the bigger project. I also really appreciated the effort they put into providing food, accommodation and training and social events; I felt really well welcomed.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Guillaume Reboul, PhD in Biology and Bioinformatics, is currently a Research Scientist working for the French national agency ANSES and more precisely at the Ploufragan laboratory in the Hygiene and Quality of Poultry and Pig Products unit. My research focuses on microbial pathogen genomics and interactions with a One Health approach.

This first E EUP AH&W Summer School was a great mix of scientifically sound lectures, fun practical activities and downtime. The entire staff as well as the lecturers, were very friendly and approachable, which promoted a learning environment. The blend of nationalities, backgrounds and experience levels within our ~30 cohort of fellows made the summer school unique. Guilford town and the Surrey campus were definitely nice to visit as well as the APHA headquarters. “Sunny” weather all week too!

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Helene Ane Jensen is a trained veterinarian currently doing her PhD at the University of Copenhagen and her residency at the European College of Veterinary Public Health. Helene’s PhD project focuses on risk assessment methodologies applied within animal health and the critical appraisal of epidemiological studies.

I enjoyed attending the EUP AH&W Summer School. The program offered a mix of lectures, group activities, and a visit to the APHA, all of which fostered meaningful discussions on current challenges in animal health and welfare. It was an amazing experience to meet and engage with leading experts and fellow early-career researchers from across Europe, building new connections that I hope will last beyond the week.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Heng-Lun Ko.png

Heng-Lun Ko is an expert in applied animal behaviour and welfare. A Visiting postdoc researcher at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB)

The beauty of being part of the EUP AH&W is to bridge the knowledge and network between the fields of animal health and welfare. This feeling became vivid again during the 1st edition of the Summer School, where I had the opportunity to learn the most up-to-date advancements and challenges in animal disease treatment, diagnosis, prevention, large-scale surveillance, and methodologies on animal welfare assessment. Apart from this, the interaction with researchers from different backgrounds has encouraged me to think and solve a research question from a different perspective during the practical sessions.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Hillary Marie Stratton is an Epidemiology PhD student at DTU Food in Kongens Lyngby, Denmark. Her research examines how antimicrobial resistance in E. coli spreads from pig farms into the environment, using a One Health approach to strengthen surveillance and protect human, animal, and environmental health.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was a wonderful chance to learn beyond my focus and connect with peers in the program. I engaged fully with keynote speakers, and the excursions broadened my perspective and career outlook beyond my PhD. Sharing this with my cohort made it even more special, and it’s an experience I will always remember.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Isabella Manenti.png

Isabella Manenti, postdoctoral researcher in animal physiology at the University of Turin. With a background in biology and ethology, my work focuses on livestock welfare, combining molecular markers (hormones, miRNAs), precision livestock farming, and behavioural assessment, with previous research, during my PhD, on sheep reproductive physiology and welfare.

The EUP AH&W Summer School in the UK was an enriching experience, especially from a human perspective. Interacting with colleagues from different countries and fields of veterinary medicine gave me a broader, multidisciplinary view of evaluating animal health and welfare. The debates were both enjoyable and stimulating, helping me to develop new skills and perspectives that will be highly valuable for my future work.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Jihed Zemzmi.png

My name is Jihed Zemzmi, I hold a degree in Animal Production Engineering (2015) and a PhD in Animal Production Science and Technology from the Universitat Politècnica de València (2020, Cum Laude). Since 2023, I have been a postdoctoral researcher at IRTA within EUPAHW, developing a knowledge platform to monitor animal welfare in the EU.”

I had the privilege of participating in the EUPAHW Summer School at Surrey University (21–25 July), gaining valuable insights into animal health and welfare through expert talks, a visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) near Guildford, and networking with fellow researchers. Thanks to Aurora, Sophie, and Samuel for the excellent organization.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Dr Kezia Kozel is a Research fellow in animal health at the Veterinary School of Medicine, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom. 

Research interest: Molecular diagnostics, specifically point-of-care diagnostics for helminth worm infections.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was an immersive experience, which provided the opportunity to learn about the different areas of research occurring within the partnership. As an ECR working within the partnership, it was also a brilliant networking opportunity, enabling communication across academic and government institutions within the partnership. 

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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I am Lisa BĂĽttgen, and I started working in the Netherlands at Wageningen University & Research in the Animal Breeding and Genomics Group last year as a researcher. There, I became involved in the EUP AH&W, focusing on animal resilience.

At the first summer school of the EUP AH&W, we got a broad overview on topics relevant for animal health and welfare, including those our own work does not focus on. Besides the nice social aspect of the summer school and the networks being built, this might also help to bring the work on these topics closer together and improve our understanding of the connections between the different fields.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Luca Barin.png

Luca Barin, a veterinarian, graduated from the University of Padua in 2020. After three years as a freelance bovine practitioner, I began a PhD at Padua in 2023, focusing on data-driven technologies for disease detection and prediction in dairy cows.

I had the opportunity to attend the first EUPAH&W Summer School this summer, which enabled me to connect and network with colleagues from across Europe. The program helped me stay updated on emerging topics in animal health and antimicrobial resistance reduction. We also visited the APHA facilities, gaining valuable insights into how animal disease control is managed in the UK.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg holds an MSc in Biotechnologist at the Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Bee Diseases and Aquatic Animal Diseases, National Veterinary Research Institute in Puławy, Poland

Attending the EUP AH&W Summer School (21–25 July 2025) at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK, was an enriching experience. The program combined lectures, workshops, and group tasks focused on key challenges in animal health and welfare, including AMR, biosecurity, and AI applications. Highlights included a practical LAMP exercise and a visit to APHA in Weybridge. It was a great opportunity to gain knowledge, exchange experiences, and build international research connections.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Marica Milazzo.jpg

Marica Milazzo is a Veterinarian specializing in Animal Health, currently working at the IZS Teramo, Abruzzo (Italy) in the Animal Welfare and Experimentation Department.

Enjoyed attending the EUP AH&W Summer School at the University of Surrey, focused on animal health and welfare, gaining in-depth knowledge on current challenges, research approaches, and best practices in the field. I gained valuable knowledge that enriched my cultural background, had the opportunity to network and connect with people from diverse locations, and developed an interest in their work by gaining a deeper understanding of their professional realities.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Maureen M. Kuboka is a PhD student in Food Science at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden. Based in Nairobi, Kenya, she focuses on advancing research in food systems and sustainability, bringing both local insight and international perspective to her academic work.

The EUP AH&W Summer School was an amazing learning experience that exposed me to future research opportunities in food safety, animal health, and welfare. It was a pleasure to meet and exchange ideas with other early-career researchers from across Europe. Additionally, exploring Guildford, a historic town in the UK, and visiting the beautiful city of London were definite highlights of the trip.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Qamer Mahmood.png

Qamer Mahmood is a veterinarian and PhD scholar at Ghent University, Belgium. His research focuses on biosecurity assessment and quantifying antimicrobial use in poultry, applying an interdisciplinary One Health approach to improve animal and human health. Within EUPAHW, he leads Task T.5 in SOA15, conducting biosecurity assessments across various production systems.

The EUPAHW Summer School at the University of Surrey was an incredible week of learning, hands-on practice, and great conversations. Every session was engaging and relevant, from biosecurity and AI in surveillance to vaccination and AMR stewardship. Visiting APHA’s high-containment labs was truly a highlight. I’m especially thankful to the organisers and the communications team for their hard work and warm hospitality. The whole experience was memorable.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Rachel Reardon.png

My name is Rachel Reardon, and I am a first-year PhD student in the School of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin, Ireland. I am conducting my research between UCD and Teagasc Moorepark, focusing on calf health and welfare.

Attending the EUP AH&W Summer School was a valuable experience that combined expert-led lectures with practical activities. I particularly enjoyed the visit to The Animal and Plant Health Agency, which provided invaluable insights into animal science and diagnostics. The diverse topics covered throughout the week broadened my understanding of animal health and welfare. The Summer School also offered a great opportunity to connect with peers and build lasting professional relationships.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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I am Roger Vidal Cardos, a PhD candidate in the animal welfare program at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain. I'm working on the identification of welfare issues in an extensive farming system using geolocation collars.

Thanks to the EUP AH&W Summer School, I had the opportunity to learn more about biosecurity and new diagnostic tests. The visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency allowed us to gain a better understanding of the work they do in the UK, and the staff were incredibly kind, taking the time to explain much of their work to us. It was a truly wonderful experience, which I would highly recommend to anyone interested in animal health and welfare.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Sarah Lombard.png

I am Sarah Lombard, an Animal Welfare Project Officer based in Angers, France. My work mainly focuses on poultry welfare, from farm management to slaughterhouse practices. I am particularly interested in promoting science-based approaches to improve animal welfare across production systems.

Attending the Summer School 2025 at the University of Surrey was an enriching experience. The academic sessions provided valuable insights and opportunities to exchange ideas with international experts. I left feeling more open-minded and updated on health topics beyond my expertise. It was also a pleasure to meet other trainees involved in the EU PAH&W, which made the experience even more meaningful.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

Swati Rani.jpg

Ms. Swati Rani is a PhD student in Animal Breeding and Genetics at the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Spain.

The experience of attending the EUP AH&W Summer School was incredibly enlightening. There were chances to meet with researchers studying animal health and welfare from all over Europe during the very interactive event. The talks were friendly and educational. The well-planned tour to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and the practical sessions were particularly enjoyable to me. They gave me insightful, practical knowledge of applied research.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Bernardo Tiziano holds a Master’s degree in Animal Science and has been working since September 2022 at IZSLER, at the Italian National Reference Centre for Animal Welfare, as a researcher on cattle and poultry welfare at farm and slaughterhouse level. He collaborates with EUP AHW, EFSA, and EURCAW, and his work also includes data analysis using the ClassyFarm IT platform.

The experience at the EUP AH&W Summer School was truly fantastic. I had the opportunity to meet many colleagues from across Europe, exchanging knowledge, questions, and contacts. The professors delivered engaging presentations and were very approachable, always ready to clarify doubts and open to potential collaborations. I found the summer school dynamic, combining classroom theory with practical experiences within a concentrated timeframe. In particular, the visit to the Animal & Plant Health Agency on July 22nd was especially interesting, as the staff kindly guided us through the facilities, history, and activities of this highly important agency.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025

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Zuzanna Siudak, PhD Eng., is a researcher at the National Research Institute of Animal Production in KrakĂłw, Poland. My work focuses on animal nutrition, welfare, and health, with particular emphasis on improving rabbit production systems and advancing knowledge in sustainable animal science.

Participating in the EUP AH&W Summer School was a highly valuable and enriching experience. The lectures were thought-provoking and addressed contemporary issues in animal health and welfare, enabling me, as a welfare specialist, to broaden my understanding of health-related challenges. The visit to the Animal and Plant Health Agency offered a unique perspective on practical disease management. I also greatly appreciated the opportunity to build professional networks and lasting collegial relationships during the well-organized social events.

Published: 10/22/2025 · Updated: 10/22/2025