Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses

Mission Statement

To provide policy makers and other stakeholders with scientific information and advice on minimizing the risks of human illnesses arising from the interface between humans, animals, and the environment, with special emphasis on infections due to enteric pathogens.

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Winner of the 2004 University of Guelph Co-op Employer of the Year Award!

Award presentation by Cecil Forsberg, Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph.

"On behalf of the Microbiology, Biochemistry and Applied Pharmaceutical Chemistry Cooperative Programs I am delighted that the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses of the Public Health Agency of Canada has been presented with the 2004 University of Guelph Co-op Employer of the Year Award. From my perspective as the Microbiology Co-op Student Advisor, this is a well deserved attribute. The scientists and their associates at the Laboratory for Foodborne Zoonoses provide a high quality research experience for the students through an extremely positive mentoring environment by both challenging the students with research projects of great societal importance that provide an opportunity for the students to exploit their talents, and by supporting them through a guided learning environment. The results are young minds with fresh ideas and applied training in science that complements their university experience. From our perspective these benefits are amplified by the large number of Co-op students you have taken over the recent years with 54 students since 1994, of which 35% worked for two consecutive semesters. Numerous scientists at the Laboratory have worked with our co-op students, but I would like to make special mention of Dr. Cornelius Poppe, since he has mentored the greatest number of our student, many of whom I have spoken to, and all have expressed their pleasure of having worked with him. Therefore, we wish to thank you for the very important contribution you have made to the education and work experience of our students, and look forward to a continuation of this association in the future."

Strategic Goals

1. To determine and monitor the incidence, trends, reservoirs and sources of enteric infections along the food chain and in the environment, and their modes of transmission to humans.
   
2. To identify and monitor the nature, determinants, trends, and incidence of antimicrobial resistance in animal and foodborne microorganisms with respect to the impact of agri-food or aquaculture use of antimicrobials on the emergence and transmission of antimicrobial resistance in human pathogens.
3. To generate risk assessments of enteric pathogens with respect to their emergence and occurrence along the food chain, and their transmission to humans.
4. To determine the host, pathogen, and ecological risk factors influencing the emergence, maintenance, and spread of enteric pathogens in animal reservoirs, the food chain, and the environment, and the occurrence of human infection and disease, with special reference to Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Verotoxin-producing E. coli.
5. To develop and/or evaluate strategies to reduce the occurrence of enteric pathogens in animal reservoirs, animal products and the environment, with special reference to Salmonella, Campylobacter, and Verotoxin-producing E. coli.
6. To evaluate the effectiveness of food safety and public health policies, programs, and practices in reducing the impact of enteric disease in human populations.