Seminar Series: Dr. Francisco Olea-Popelka
Applying Epidemiology Beyond the Ivory Tower: The Impact of Collaboration
Francisco Olea Popelka
Associate Professor
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair
One Health
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Western University
Short Biography:
Dr. Olea-Popelka earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Mayor in Santiago (1998), Chile, and a Master’s and PhD in Epidemiology in 2002 and 2007 respectively, from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph, Canada.
During his career, he has used epidemiological tools to design, implement, and evaluate collaborative research projects closely collaborating with a variety of stakeholders and institutions in Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Pakistan, South Africa, Uganda, The United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
He became the Beryl Ivey Endowed Chair in One Health at Western University in 2019, and played a pivotal role in the implementation and expansion of the One Health (OH) program. Dr. Olea-Popelka’s multisectoral OH approach focuses on the study of diseases and health issues of global importance at the intersection of livestock, wildlife, and humans, accounting for social, cultural, and economic factors, while working closely with affected local communities.
Dr. Olea-Popelka has participated and contributed to key local, provincial, national, and global strategic OH initiatives collaborating with the Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development, The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the World Health Organization, Kruger National Park, and Disney World, to mention some. Dr. Olea-Popelka’s professional area of interest is mycobacterial infection and tuberculosis (TB), and he is recognized as an international leader in bovine and zoonotic TB. Currently, he is leading the global effort to address the public health challenges posed by zoonotic TB.
Dr. Olea-Popelka’s work has informed several bovine and zoonotic TB guidelines and policy documents. He is one of the editors of Bovine Tuberculosis book and has contributed to multiple book chapters and peer reviewed publications, both in human and veterinary textbooks and journals. In 2023, he was selected as the lead scientist by the WOAH to develop new guidelines with strategies to control bovine TB in low-middle income countries.
He has published 90 peer reviewed papers,7 book chapters, Co-Editor of the Bovine Tuberculosis Book by CABI, Main contributor to the Zoonotic TB Roadmap by WHO, WOAH, FAO, and The Union, 2017, and Lead Co-Author for the WOAH Guidelines for the control of MTBC in livestock, 2023-2024
Abstract:
In this seminar Dr. Olea Popelka will describe and discuss his role as an epidemiologist when collaborating with both academic and non-academic stakeholders on a variety of projects, activities, and initiatives at a global scale.
Dr. Olea Popelka will provide examples of past and current projects, activities, and initiatives while reflecting on the need and impact of multisectoral collaboration to address health challenges at the at livestock, wildlife, environmental, and people interface.
Area of Research:
Collaboration, applied epidemiology, public health, one health, zoonoses, global.
Learn more about Dr. Olea-Popelka:
Olea-Popelka One Health
The Zoonotic Tuberculosis Network
Date: Friday, February 28
Time: 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location: PHFM 1150 (Western Centre for Public Health and Family Medicine) or Zoom (request link by email epibio@uwo.ca)
