Table of Contents
- Letter from the Chair
- Grants and Awards
- Presentations
- Publications
- Research
- Featured Community
- Student Corner
- Recent Events
- Updates & Reminders
- Wellness Corner
- Submissions
Letter from the Chair
Dear IDGH, I write this as the calendar ticks out the last days of May. It does seem that the Spring vanished in the cold remnants of winter, but we’ve had a fortunate few warm days this Spring, including a fabulous day for our Department Spring Picnic. Maybe a little too warm as we sought the solace of shade. It was great to have Alison Robbins and her husband Brian on hand and to hear from Alison who will retire in September this year after shepherding the current MCM class to the finish of their program. Thanks to Alison for her continued dedication to Cummings School, IDGH and the MCM program. We will be sad to see Alison step away, but glad she is part of our academic family and we have the summer left to wish her the best in her next steps. It was great again to see folks meeting over burgers at the Spring picnic a couple weeks back. This continues to be a tradition for getting IDGH together after the long winter and to kick off summer. We always have people new to the department, especially after the long stretch since the winter holiday party in December and it is terrific to get outside and see everyone’s smiling faces, especially since the department is a bit scattered in our building across campus. As you’ll read inside this newsletter, I am continually impressed with the work and plans of our faculty, staff, and students. Among other things, Hellen Amuguni and Marieke Rosenbaum have received Springboard Awards to leverage work started with students in their labs. Also, congratulations to Evan Griffith on his successful dissertation defense and, as most will have seen, his receipt of the Presidential Award for Civic Life, one of the most distinguished honors at Tufts. We are proud of Evan’s accomplishments and excited about his future. I hope everyone is looking forward to the longest summer between Memorial and Labor days and I look forward to keeping up as we head into June. Cheers, Jon
Grants & Awards
The Springboard Research & Scholarship Momentum Award has been given to Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., Team Lead of "Validating the Community One Health Index (COHI): A Participatory Tool to Monitor Human, Animal, and Environmental Health in Pastoral Drylands,"
Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., Evan Griffith, Ph.D., D.V.M., M.P.H., M.C.M., and Dr. Elizabeth Stites (from the Feinstein International center) received a Tufts Springboard award from April 2026 to April 2027 to validate the Community One Health Index (COHI): A Participatory Tool to Monitor Human, Animal, and Environmental Health in Pastoral Drylands. This project will validate the COHI, test reliability, refine indicators, and strengthen community-led monitoring to improve health and strengthen climate resilience in Kenya and Ethiopia. COHI is the first rapid, participatory monitoring tool of its kind, integrating human, animal, and environmental health, and social outcomes into a single composite score, and its development is a significant advancement for One Health evidence-based decision making, resource allocation, and program monitoring.
The Springboard Research & Scholarship Momentum Award has also been given to Marieke Rosenbaum, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.S., Team Lead of "Stayin’ Alive: Comparative Cellular Responses Shaping HSV-1 Cytopathology Across Primates."
Evan Griffith, Ph.D, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.C.M., is a recipient of a Presidential Award for Civic Life. The Presidential Award for Civic Life is the highest recognition for service, leadership, and civic engagement conferred by Tufts University, and only 14 of these awards are given out across all of Tufts University. This award celebrates outstanding graduating students who have combined academic achievement with a profound impact on communities near and far, helping to address some of the biggest challenges in our society.
Charles Shoemaker, Ph.D., was given an NIH R61/R33 award for a funding proposal entitled "Next Generation pan-serotype, antitoxin for botulinum neurotoxin exposures." The R61 funding phase runs from 6/1/2026 to 5/31/2028 to demonstrate product feasibility. After two years, he will be considered for funding of a 3-year R33 phase with the additional funding meant to support product development.
Sam Telford III, Sc.D., was given an award by Tufts Medical Center, which will be used to supply the Medical Center with ticks for further research.
Presentations
Allen Rutberg, Ph.D., gave an oral presentation in addition to two poster presentations on April 23rd at the 10th International Conference on Wildlife Fertility Control in Barcelona, Spain. The oral presentation was titled "Projects to programs: PZP toolkits for managing wild burros (Equus asinus) and suburban white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)," which he gave with Grace Kahler, presenter, and Kali Pereira. His two poster presentations were titled, "History of wildlife welfare in fertility control" (with John W. Turner, Jr) and "Effects of PZP immunocontraception and gathers on group dynamics in two western wild horse (Equus caballus) populations (USA)" (with Kayla Grams).
Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., was invited to present at the Women in International Relations conference at Tufts University on March 28th with the theme of “Delivering Global Health in Humanitarian Crises.” The conference explored critical issues in humanitarian aid, including responses to conflict and displacement, gendered dimensions of crises, access to resources in emergency settings, and the role of global health and disease response in humanitarian emergencies.
Whitney Stiehler gave the lecture, "Nature's Clean Up Crew -The Surprisingly Cool World of Vultures" on March 14th at the Wildlife Rehabilitators Association of Massachusetts Annual Conference.
Publications
From the research group of Evan Griffith, Ph.D, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.C.M., Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., and Jonah Levin: A socioecological systems perspective on One Health in Turkana County, Kenya: Insights from participatory fuzzy cognitive mapping (CABI One Health, June 2026)
From the research group of Akram Da'Darah, Ph.D., Patrick Skelly, Ph.D., Roshni Gondane, Julia Pacheco and Shannon O'Connor: Thiamine (Vitamin B1) metabolism in schistosomes (Biochimie., June 2026)
From the research group of Yi-Pin Lin, M.S., Ph.D., Miranda McCarty, and Sergio Hernandez: Developing a durable, memory-driven, CspZ-targeting Lyme disease vaccine by rationale adjuvant selection (NPJ Vaccines, May 2026)
From the research group of Saul Tzipori, D.V.M., Ph.D., D.Sc., FRCVS, and Denise Dayao, D.V.M., Ph.D.: Structure-guided design of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 (CDPK1) inhibitors for cryptosporidiosis (J Infect Dis., May 2026)
From the research group of Marieke Rosenbaum, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.S., Fernando Vilchez-Delgado, Shannon O'Connor, Bruno Ghersi, and Lin Zhou: Herpes Simplex Virus 1 in Trigeminal Ganglia of Trafficked Neotropical Primates, Peru, 2024 (Emerg. Infect Dis., May 2026)
From the research group of Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., Felicia Nutter, D.V.M., Ph.D., DACZM, Bruno Ghersi and Jon Gass, Ph.D., MPH: Viral Risks at the Human–Bat Interface: Household Bat Guano Farming in Rural Cambodia (Pathogens, April 2026)
From the research group of Evan Griffith, Ph.D, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.C.M.: How the Gender Dimension of One Health Helps Combat Outbreaks of Emerging and Reemerging Zoonotic Diseases: Case Studies (Health Secur., April 2026)
From the research group of Sam Telford III, Sc.D.: Heritable immunization of mice against Lyme disease enables ecological disease prevention (Nat. Commun., April 2026)
From the research group of Charles Shoemaker, Ph.D.: An RNA-to-RNA pipeline for rapid antiviral antibody development (Mol Ther., April 2026)
From the research group of Jon Runstadler, M.S., D.V.M., Ph.D., and Amanda Martinot, D.V.M., M.P.H., Ph.D., DACVP: Diagnostic challenge in veterinary pathology: A large vesicle-containing, membrane-bound structure in the myocardium of a cat with cardiomyopathy (Vet Pathol., March 2026)
From the research group of Akram Da'Darah, Ph.D., Patrick Skelly, Ph.D., Charles Shoemaker, Ph.D., and Jacqueline Tremblay: Comprehensive Mapping of Immune Nanobody Repertoires with NanoMAP (bioRxiv., March 2026)
From the research group of Giovanni Widmer, Ph.D.: Survey occurrence of serum antibodies against Leishmania spp., Toxoplasma gondii and Trypanosoma cruzi, agents with zoonotic potential, in horses from the state of São Paulo, Brazil (Parasitol Int., March 2026)
From the research group of Heidi Goethert, M.S., Sc.D., Sam Telford III, Sc.D., and Alanna O'Callahan: Deer tick virus genotypes are perpetuated by different modes of transmission (bioRxiv, March 2026)
From the research group of Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D., and Evan Griffith, Ph.D, D.V.M., M.P.H., M.C.M.: Stakeholder priorities and conceptualization of One Health: Insights from fuzzy cognitive mapping and grounded theory (PLoS One., March 2026)
From the research group of Yi-Pin Lin, M.S., Ph.D.: Natural genetic variation impacts complement inhibitory activity of PFam54 orthologs of Asian Borrelia bavariensis (Sci. Rep., March 2026)
From the research group of Sam Telford III, Sc.D.: Vectors are not just culture vessels (Clin. Infect Dis., March 2026)
Research
Featured Community
Hellen Amuguni, B.V.M., M.A., Ph.D.
Professor
How long have you worked at Tufts? I have been at Tufts since 2011. I completed my PhD in Infectious Diseases and Global Health (IDGH) at Cummings and subsequently joined the faculty. I was initially drawn to the program because of its strong international footprint, something I had long sought in my academic and professional journey. I was fortunate that, as I was graduating, Tufts was leading a USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats initiative with projects across East and Central Africa. The opportunity was a natural fit for me, having been born and raised in Kenya and having previously worked in many African countries in international development. It allowed me to combine my background, regional experience, and passion for social justice, infectious diseases and global health in meaningful ways. The past 15 years at Tufts have been deeply rewarding. I have enjoyed working within the One Health space, building long-term partnerships and networks, and engaging extensively across Africa and Southeast Asia. Much of my work has focused on strengthening the capacity of the public health workforce and communities to effectively prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease outbreaks; improving health outcomes for both livestock and people; supporting equitable access to and distribution of resources among communities and building resilience against increasingly complex and interconnected health challenges. Cummings School has provided me with the opportunity to pursue an unconventional, impactful, and exciting career path-one that bridges academia, global partnerships, workforce development, infectious disease prevention, and community engagement.
What do you like to do in your free time? Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, especially with my family. When my children were younger, I often brought them along on international trips, and many of my favorite memories come from experiencing different countries and cultures together. More recently, I have developed an interest in photography. I tend to take photographs while traveling, but what fascinates me most are images in nature that seem almost unreal. I am particularly drawn to unusual trees and landscapes: tree roots growing improbably from rocky cliffs while the tree remains alive and thriving, dry trees standing in the middle of lakes, twisted trunks shaped by time, roots exposed above ground, or solitary trees silhouetted against dramatic sunsets, or simply just flowers on a table against a dark background - so beautiful. There is something compelling about the beauty in these images - how nature adapts, survives, and persists under unlikely circumstances. I often capture these moments on my phone, hoping to preserve what feels extraordinary in the ordinary. Each year, I tell myself I will turn these photographs into a calendar featuring these unique natural scenes, although I have yet to follow through. When an image particularly resonates with me, I enlarge it, frame it, and hang it in my house as a reminder of those places and moments or give it away as a gift. My son recently gave me a digital photo frame where I can upload and continuously display my pictures. I keep many of my travel and nature photographs there, and sometimes, during a break from work, I simply sit and watch them cycle through. It is surprisingly calming and amazing to revisit those moments, places, and images. In some ways, it feels like traveling again for a few minutes and serves as a reminder of the beauty, resilience, and uniqueness that exist in the world. Photography has become a quiet creative outlet for me and, in many ways, another way of observing the world, through curiosity, detail, and appreciation for unexpected things.
What is the best project you have worked on at Cummings? This is a no brainer for me-without hesitation, my most meaningful and rewarding project has been the SheVax project. SheVax was implemented across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda with the goal of improving access to livestock vaccines among women smallholder farmers. The project sits at the intersection of many issues I care deeply about: gender equity, social justice, women’s empowerment, livestock health, and improving livelihoods among vulnerable communities in Africa. I have always been passionate about addressing inequities and ensuring that women, particularly in rural and underserved communities, have access to opportunities, resources, and decision-making spaces that directly affect their lives. Across much of Africa, women play critical roles in livestock production and household food security, yet they often face barriers to accessing veterinary services, vaccines, financing, information, and markets. These barriers have significant consequences, not only for animal health, but also for household nutrition, income, and overall well-being. With SheVax, I was able to combine my veterinary and One Health background with my commitment to gender equity in a way that felt deeply purposeful. The project allowed us to explore how gender norms influence access to livestock vaccines and animal health services, while also identifying practical pathways to strengthen women’s participation and agency within livestock systems. What I valued most was that the project was not simply about vaccines; it was about empowerment. It was about supporting women smallholder farmers to improve livestock productivity, strengthen household livelihoods, increase food security, build resilience to shocks, and enhance their ability to make decisions within their households and communities. It was also about recognizing women as key actors in animal health systems rather than passive beneficiaries.
Adel Molnar
Veterinary Technician II in Tufts Wildlife Clinic
I was born in Hungary and moved to the United States during high school. I attended college in Vermont to study art, but recognizing how challenging it can be to build a career in that field, I began volunteering at animal shelters. That experience led to a full-time role, and eventually to working as a veterinary technician in small animal hospitals. Along the way, I earned my Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) credential. After more than 20 years in small animal practice, I decided to further my education and returned to school to earn a master’s degree in Conservation Medicine at Tufts University. During my time there, I became deeply inspired by the mission and philosophy of the Wildlife Clinic. As soon as a position became available about six years ago, I applied and have been part of the team ever since. Working at the Wildlife Clinic is truly a dream come true. I am still caring for animals, but now I am able to focus on those most in need, while also considering the broader impact on species and the environment. My core beliefs center on doing no harm and giving back to the natural world—we are all interconnected, and this role allows me to live those values every day. In my personal life, I enjoy gardening, hiking with my dogs, visiting farmers’ markets, taking trips to the ocean, and spending time with my family in Hungary. I currently share my home with two dogs, two cats, and two rescue pigeons—though that number can change quickly.
Student Corner
See the faces, backgrounds, and bios of selected students from the MS in Conservation Medicine (MCM) and MS in Animals and Public Policy (MAPP) Programs!
In this quarter, we are featuring Samantha Schuchman, Sofia Fernandes, Zoe Michini and Kylee Webster.
Student Resources
Behavioral Health and Counseling: Cummings School provides students with a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and a Licensed Psychologist. Learn more about the Student Health Services Team here.
AllOne Health (AKA: TalkOne2One Student Assistance Program, Confidential Counseling) provides free and confidential counseling to Tufts students when navigating issues such as stress, anxiety, depression, homesickness, conflict, eating disorders, financial concerns, alcohol/substance abuse, family issues (divorce, illness, etc.), academic/life/work balance, and more. On-site and virtual counseling appointments are available by calling 1-800-756-3124, and are available to all students, 24/7. The online portal can also be found here.
Recent Events
IDGH Spring Picnic 2026
The Department of IDGH had its' yearly Spring Picnic/BBQ on May 19th. Despite needing to utilize our chosen rain date, we still had great attendance. It was very hot that day, so we started the picnic with moving all tables and chairs into the shade. After all of Jon's impossible burgers were eaten, Jon made an announcement to address and thank Alison Robbins, D.V.M, M.S., for her time at Tufts and congratulate her for her soon retirement. She was then presented with the blue floral cake pictured above, which was shared amongst the department.
Updates & Reminders
Tufts University observes the following paid holidays throughout the year:
- June 19th: Juneteenth (Friday)
- July 3rd: Day before Independence Day (Friday)
- September 7th: Labor Day (Monday)
More Changes Across Cummings Campus
- The Wildlife Building is undergoing further construction, this time trenching for the building drainage system.
- The Learning Center is in the process of being created with foundational steps in progress now, including the recent removal of rocks.
- Additionally, The HLA/FHSA roof replacement project has begun as of April.
End of Fiscal Year
In preparing for the end of the FY, don't forget to use (or lose) your funds and personal time!
Wellness Corner
This Month's KGA Spotlight: Journeys to Families
Navigate modern family-building decisions with confidence.
Webinar: Modern Family Formation on June 23rd at 12PM - This webinar will provide essential, evidence-based information to help women and couples make informed and confident family-building decisions. **If you need reasonable accommodations, email us by June 9th - info@kgreer.com. Register here. Website: Adoption Network - 5 Things to Know (and Do) Before You Adopt Featured Service: Families Under Stress - Experienced counselors are here to help you identify clinical needs and, if needed, recommend counseling for individual, couple, or family. Featured Service: Fertility Consultation - KGA provides consultations with a Fertility Coach to individuals and couples with the goal of building their family. Article: BabyReady Series - Everyone’s path to “baby readiness” will be unique, this series answers common questions to help you prepare during this exciting time.
KGA, your Employee Assistance Program, offers free customized resources, in-the-moment emotional support and various professional consultations for you and all adults 18+ in your household - including family, roommates and partners!
- Telephone - (800-648-9557) 24/7 live access
- KGA LifeServices Platform to self-schedule, text/chat, and email
- KGA Mobile App for 24/7 access anywhere (available in Apple and Google Play stores)
Submissions
Pico's New Riding Horses
Mary Pico, a Ph.D. student, bought a brand new filly as a future riding horse, as well as a big horse/behemoth for her husband, Thor. The filly is a Xiomara de Keberica, a buckskin Lusitano who's name means 'female warrior'. The studbook requires all foals born this year to have names starting with the letter X (pronounced -sh in Portuguese). Thor promptly recommended Xeep, Xogun, and Budgetary Xortfall, among other punny options. He is hereby banned from naming (tho Xeep may stick as the barn name). Thor's horse is a bay Belgian/Quarter Horse cross who stands a powerful 17 hands. This means his back is taller than Pico and she has to hop on her toes to try to even reach the horse's butt. Very dignified. This gentle giant has been dubbed Sleipnir and is an absolute sweetheart who has the dubious honor of teaching her husband to ride. He's going to be spoiled rotten. Pico's current riding mare AZ Mirada Carmen, a grey Andalusian, is not to be outdone and has started learning jumping! Well, low level jumping . . . they're more like speedbumps at this point. Regardless, she maintains her seniority over the other two and demands first dibs at cookies.
Michaela's Stained Glass Art
Michaela Randall, Administrative Coordinator, took an 8-week Beginner's Stained Glassmaking class. She completed a total of 4 projects, with her final project taking 3 weeks. She learned that creating stained glass is a fun challenge, though materials are much pricier than she expected. Her favorite part of the process is soldering glass pieces together, and her least favorite part is cutting the glass (too much room for error!) She hopes to continue to make stained glass artwork in the future and is thankful that the open studio is only 10 minutes away from her apartment.