The Mekong One Health Innovation Program (MOHIP) is a collaboration between the United States and researchers in the Mekong region to improve the health security system in Laos, Thailand and Vietnam while strengthening their One Health (human-animal-environment nexus) approach.
The project involves virtual training, including a week-long ‘Health Security, One Health and Zoonoses’ course for Mekong researchers and a series of monthly webinars related to health security with a One Health focus. The virtual training and webinars are essential to empower the local researchers and experts and sustain a long-term health security system in the region. The project is expected to foster stronger and sustained relationships between US and Mekong researchers and create a vibrant network that they will utilize to carry timely research on health security issues involving the One Health approach. Mekong researchers will learn about successfully applying new One Health tools to research health security issues in their region and apply their findings and resources to devise better health security solutions for the benefit of the whole region. Specifically, the project will fund six research projects for $30,000 each, proposed by Mekong researchers in areas and issues pertinent to their One Health and health security contexts.
The Mekong One Health Innovation Program (MOHIP) is comprised of three key programmatic activities:
Create a transnational network of Mekong and U.S. researchers and practitioners working on health security, employing the One Health approach.
Determine gaps and challenges in health security and One Health facing the lower Mekong sub-region and develop a needs-based course on “Health Security, One Health, and Zoonoses.”
Provide funding for research projects grounded in the One Health approach to strengthen health security in the lower Mekong sub-region.
The project management team (PMT) consists of three faculty members, including Dr. Ramjee Ghimire from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR), Dr. Qing Xia from the Global Health Institute (GHI), and Dr. Furqan Irfan from the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Country coordinators from Lao PDR, Thailand, and Vietnam each work closely with the PMT and connect with country stakeholders to implement MOHIP activities. The International Advisory Board (IAB) advises the PMT in the implementation of the MOHIP and is comprised of senior faculty from MSU and one leader from each MOHIP country. Country coordinators and advisors are affiliated with the One Health University Networks (OHUNs) within their respective countries. Southeast Asia One Health University Network (SEAOHUN) supports the MOHIP program and provides oversight of the affiliated OHUNs.
Dr. Ghimire is an Academic Specialist for the Global Outreach Network in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (CANR). He holds a Ph.D. in international agricultural development from MSU and a DVM from Mumbai Veterinary College in India. Dr. Ghimire leads the MSU WorldTAP international safety short course and courses related to One Health, global health, zoonoses, and food safety. His research and outreach focus on food safety, animal health, and sustainable agriculture across Asia, Africa, and the U.S. He is a former President of NAPA, has authored numerous scholarly works, and serves as a reviewer for several academic journals.
Dr. Irfan is an Associate Professor and Director of Research Development at MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine. He holds a PhD in epidemiology, has been involved in various areas of research, including genetics and stem cell research, and has expertise in global health, big data, and policy. Dr. Irfan has held roles in both healthcare and higher education institutions, currently teaches Evidence-Based Medicine for the MSU DO program at MSU and is an advisory board member at Health Practice & Infineon Technologies.
Dr. Xia is an Academic Specialist in the Global Health Institute and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine at MSU's College of Osteopathic Medicine. She specializes in interdisciplinary team building, global health research, and professional development. Dr. Xia has held leadership roles in international education and training in MSU’s Office of China Programs and the Visiting International Professional Program, and has managed programs in capacity building, faculty development, and international student training. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in China and her Ph.D. at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on adult learning, professional identity development, empathy in medical education, community engagement, and global health education.
Stephanie Six is the Global Health Studies Program Assistant Director and Interim Operations Manager of the Global Health Institute. She is pursuing a doctorate in Education Technology with a research focus on higher education online learning readiness and student success. Ms. Six has contributed to multiple health education research initiatives, including oversight of two U.S. Department of Health & Human Services grants and service as a federal grant reviewer. She is also an active member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, recognizing her commitment to academic excellence and professional service.
Suna Barber is an accountant and a research administrator experienced in pre-award and post award activities such as assisting in grant proposals, preparing budgets, monitoring grant expenditures and preparing financial reports.