Parasites: Friends or Foe? Seeing through the eyes of a long-term partner.

The first vital piece of information I learned in my veterinary parasitology class was that it is not in the interest of a parasite to harm or kill its host. As simple as this statement is, it presents a stark contrast to the current occurrences around us today as it concerns global animal diseases caused by parasites.

In my presentation, I will discuss who a veterinary parasitologist is and what roles they play in disease control. I will also touch on some of the significant parasitic diseases that affect our beloved patients. Finally, I will discuss how veterinary parasitologists fits into the grand scheme of the one health initiative.

Abdulsalam Adegoke is a Graduate Research Assistant, Cell and Molecular Biology, the University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS. USA. He had his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) training from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria. Currently, he is a second-year master’s candidate of molecular biology at the University of Southern Mississippi, United States. His research interest is to understand how ticks can acquire, maintain, and successfully transmitting pathogenic organisms to humans. He believes understanding these simple biological processes can advance our knowledge in preventing the global occurrence of vector-transmitted diseases. In his pastime, Abdulsalam loves to cook, read, and network with people.

Sincerely