Partnership with Ceva allows faculty, students to build connections for the future

By: Johnathan McGinty

Jonathan Mochel believes that everything in our world is connected. 

This notion of the health and well-being of humans, animals and the environment being intertwined is foundational to the concept of One Health. It seeks to understand the impact one has on the other, pushing boundaries to properly evaluate how changes in one’s environment could affect another’s health and how that understanding can inform plans for care. 

Mochel, the director of UGA’s Precision One Health Initiative, focuses on this intersection to identify better approaches to disease prevention and treatment. The initiative blends the holistic elements of One Health with precision medicine, which emphasizes personalized treatment programs to craft an innovative, effective approach that can transform medical and veterinary health care. 

Mochel has found a reliable partner in Ceva Animal Health, a global company that shares the vision of interconnected health between humans and animals. Understanding this approach — based on breakthrough innovative medicines — can create opportunities to enhance quality of life for all through advancements in preventative tools and health treatments and is one element of a broader strategic partnership between UGA and Ceva.  

This multidisciplinary collaboration seeks to make key advancements on crucial health issues while also equipping the next generation of health researchers with the expertise and skills to drive those advancements.  

“At Ceva, the One Health approach has been central to our mission since our inception. We firmly believe that the health and well-being of humans, animals, and our environment are intrinsically linked, necessitating a holistic perspective to effectively address global health challenges,” said Dr.Marc Prikazsky, chairman and CEO of Ceva Animal Health.  

“Our partnership exemplifies this belief, providing us with a trusted collaborator who shares our commitment to integrated health care solutions. 

“Collaborations between private entities and esteemed academic institutions like UGA are essential for translating One Health concepts into tangible actions,” Prikazsky continued. “We are particularly encouraged to see the younger generation’s passion for this field, as their dedication and innovation are pivotal in driving meaningful change toward a safer and healthier world for all.”  

“The faculty and students who collaborate with our team are best in class, and we’re pleased to be able to make an investment in their research, their studies and their growth, knowing that their success is intertwined with our success.” 

Building trust, training the next generation 

Ceva is currently working with Precision One Health as well as UGA’s Poultry Diagnostic Research Center, which seeks to advance poultry medicine. Ceva’s collaboration with UGA enables faculty and students to conduct important, groundbreaking research that is central to the two organizations’ shared mission of improving the world around us.  

“The benefit of this approach is that not only those who would be able to work on very concrete, practical problems, but they also interface regularly with the industry sponsor for that program,” Mochel said. “Some of the issues we have [in our industry] right now come from the gap between graduate studies and industry programs. So being able to have an industry-sponsored program helps you to build relationships from the get-go and know how to interact with industry partners now.” 

Mochel pointed to a current graduate student engaged in a project studying feline chronic kidney disease. The project requires the student to provide updates twice a year, and this regular interaction helps the student build a personal relationship with the industry partner. This nurtures trust between the two, while also equipping the student with the necessary soft skills that are valuable in the professional world. 

In turn, Ceva supports breakthrough research that is aligned with its strategic mission in One Health and develops a pipeline of talent from the university. Researchers and students engaged in the partnership enter the workforce well-versed in not only the research interests and practical terminology of Ceva, but they also have a deeper connection to the company’s mission.  

Mochel noted building a reciprocal relationship with Ceva that provides value that goes beyond the research outcomes is beneficial for both UGA and the company. For instance, he is working with colleagues at UGA to help craft a training program for Ceva that makes onboarding new employees easier and more efficient. 

“What we’re trying to do is bring something a bit extra in value to [Ceva],” said Mochel. “That includes not only being able to collaborate on the research projects we work on but also having access to our people and their expertise.”