one Health Detection: A More Connected Approach to Biosecurity

Hi, I'm Vanessa, and I'm working to connect the dots between biological threats across human, animal, and environmental health.

One Health recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected, yet our systems for detecting and monitoring biological threats remain fragmented. When surveillance data are siloed, important patterns of pathogen spread can go unnoticed. By expanding metagenomic detection and integrating genomic data across domains, I aim to reveal these patterns, improve early warning, and enable more coordinated responses to biological threats.

My path to One Health has taken me through conservation biology, wildlife epidemiology, and pandemic prevention.

Before beginning my PhD, I supported the sustainable management of marine species using population genetics. My doctoral research applied targeted genomics to investigate an emerging amphibian pathogen. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, I pivoted toward human pathogen surveillance, developing untargeted metagenomic sequencing workflows to detect pathogens in pooled nasal swabs and wastewater. Untargeted metagenomic sequencing is the top choice for surveillance because it can detect both known and novel pathogens, broadly identifying spillover risks from naturally occurring or engineered pathogens.

My primary interests include:

• Expanding metagenomic surveillance to underrepresented organisms. Fungi and protists cause significant disease in humans, animals, and plants, yet remain overlooked in many surveillance approaches. I am currently seeking funding for a project to analyze existing metagenomic datasets across domains to determine which microeukaryotes are detected or missed, how laboratory protocols influence detection, and how workflows can be improved. Beyond expanding pathogen detection, this project could serve as a proof of concept for integrating genomic signals across domains to better understand pathogen dynamics.

• Connecting genomic surveillance across One Health. Frameworks for cross-sector data sharing and coordination exist, but translating them into operational systems remains a challenge. I'm interested in how genomic data from human, animal, and environmental surveillance could be integrated into shared analytical frameworks, with clear pathways for validating signals, escalating concerns, and notifying relevant practitioners and public health or government agencies. The goal is to help decision-makers recognize emerging threats earlier, understand their potential significance across domains, and coordinate responses before risks escalate.

Let's Connect!

I'm interested in connecting with researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of metagenomic surveillance, biosecurity, and One Health, especially in the Boston area where I am based.

If these topics resonate with you, please reach out on LinkedIn or email me at vanessa@onehealthdetection.com.