Boosting One Health: Impact, Innovation, and the Path Forward 

On October 10, 2025, the Main Hall of the Estonian University of Life Sciences in Tartu welcomed researchers, students, and stakeholders from across Europe for the international conference “Boosting One Health: Impact, Innovation, and the Path Forward.” The event celebrated the achievements of the OH-Boost Project, a collaborative initiative uniting the Estonian University of Life Sciences, the University of Tartu, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Milan in advancing One Health research, innovation, and cooperation.

The conference opened with a warm welcome from Prof. Ülle Jaakma, Rector of EMÜ, and Toomas Tiirats, Director of the Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences. They highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and science communication in tackling complex health challenges, as well as the University’s development and recognition.

Prof. Alireza Fazeli, the OH-Boost Project Coordinator, then gave an engaging overview of the project, presenting its goals, main achievements in building One Health excellence, and its impact both inside and outside the University. He also underlined the importance of working with a wide range of partners, such as other universities and institutions, to share research methods, tools, and results. Prof. Fazeli highlighted the role of the AHHAA Science Center in communicating science to the public and the cooperation with the government and EU representatives to raise awareness of the importance of the One Health topic.  

The first session, "Exploratory Research in One Health", showcased innovative studies that demonstrate the project’s scientific impact. Presenters included Prof. Toomas Orro, Associate Prof. Radko Avi, Associate Prof. Mikael Niku, and Dr. Sharon Arcuri, who shared research on microbiota, extracellular vesicles, immunity, and novel 3D experimental approaches — highlighting how OH-Boost has strengthened both knowledge and collaboration across institutions.

In the second session, “Capacity Building & Researcher Development,” participants reflected on the personal and professional benefits of the project. Representatives from the Estonian University of Life Sciences — including Prof. Arvo Viltrop, Külli Must, Egne Kahro, Urszula Malińska-Mark, and Deep Bhattacharya — shared their experiences in training, mobility, and professional growth. They highlighted opportunities for job shadowing, training, and study visits in areas such as research management, core facilities management, project management, laboratory work, and veterinary clinic operations. These visits helped participants identify development needs in Estonia and draw inspiration from solutions and methods observed in Milan and Helsinki. The session illustrated how OH-Boost supports cross-sectoral collaboration, interdisciplinarity, and both early-career and senior professionals while fostering institutional innovation.

The conference concluded with a dynamic panel, Lessons Learned & Future Directions, moderated by Prof. Alireza Fazeli. Panelists from all partner universities — Prof. Tiziana Brevini, Prof. Heli Simojoki, Associate Prof. Kristi Huik, and Toomas Tiirats — discussed project sustainability, future collaboration, and the evolving landscape of One Health research. The open debate allowed participants to explore potential directions for the field, emphasizing that education of the general public, starting from schools, cooperation with businesses, industry, and policy representatives, is crucial. The new initiatives, like the creation at EMÜ of the One-Health Center of Bio-resilience and Preparedness. It was also strongly underlined that while the conference closes, the project’s collaboration and impact will continue.

The event, hosted on-site and online, with participants representing universities, businesses, industry, and the public sector, clearly demonstrated the local and international impact of OH-Boost, from advancing scientific knowledge and fostering professional development to strengthening partnerships, knowledge transfer across institutions, science communication to the general public, and stakeholders. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the organizers for putting together this inspiring event, to the speakers for presenting their research and sharing their experiences, and to all who participated in the discussion on the future of One Health.

While the conference has concluded, the cooperation, knowledge exchange, and shared vision fostered through OH-Boost continue, laying the foundation for future achievements in One Health research and innovation.

Photo credits:  Deep Bhattacharya, Chanaka Gedara, Omid Mousavi, Jaanus Janson.

Graphics: Urszula Malińska-Mark