Moredun will work with Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine

Moredun Research Institute, Scotland, and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), St Kitts, have signed a partnership agreement to foster scientific research and educational training opportunities for veterinary students and research scientists in endemic and exotic zoonotic diseases.

RUSVM is located in St Kitts, an island in the Eastern Caribbean region, which will provide novel opportunities for collaborative research in focussed areas, including health and epidemiology, zoonotic infections and parasitic diseases.

Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, scientific director of Moredun Research Institute, said: "I am delighted that Moredun Research Institute and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine have consolidated their partnership with the aim of training research scientists and veterinary students in the increasingly important area of animal health and global food security.

"Working together on infectious diseases in Scotland and in St Kitts allows transfer of skills and technologies to address the challenges of feeding the nine billion people estimated to exist in 2050."

Professor Rosina (Tammi) Krecek, associate dean for research at RUSVM, also commented: "We are in a unique geographic location where little is known about the pathogens of domestic animals, wildlife and humans. Partnering with Moredun provides opportunities to build capacity in the region while harvesting the low-hanging fruits of pathogen discovery."