GundxChange: Planetary Health Research – Impacts and Direction

Elizabeth Daut, Global biodiversity conservation and cross-sectoral One Health expert, Macmillan Scholar, Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont
September 19, 2025 from 12-1 p.m.
Farrell Hall, room 006

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, global appeals have escalated for more effective collaboration across health sectors to prevent spillover of infectious pathogens and other health threats. A subsequent surge in Planetary/One Health research, guidance and training opportunities ensued. What has been the impact? In theory, coordination among human, animal, and planetary health experts should facilitate identification of knowledge gaps for academics to fill and creation of innovative solutions for practitioners to implement. I’ll share highlights on the state of Planetary/One Health research, including examples of interesting case studies. I’ll also share my thoughts on research needs to strengthen inclusion and impact of the environmental health sector. Bring your thoughts to contribute to the conversation.

Dr. Elizabeth Daut works in global biodiversity conservation and cross-sectoral One Health development. Elizabeth worked most recently as a Natural Resources Officer in the Biodiversity Division at USAID, where she led USAID’s One Health Working Group and launched the South American Network for One Health. She provided expertise to combat wildlife trafficking and other international conservation crimes. As co-coordinator of a public-private partnership initiative called Health, Ecosystems and Agriculture for Resilient Thriving Societies (HEARTH), Elizabeth helped design integrated projects to benefit high-biodiversity landscapes and surrounding communities. Prior to joining USAID, Elizabeth ran an environmental NGO in Ecuador for almost 10 years, initially as a Peace Corps volunteer. Her post-doc at the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center included investigating the risk of infectious pathogens from global wildlife trade, which built on her dissertation work in Peru exploring drivers and consequences of wildlife trade. Elizabeth has a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University and a D.V.M. degree from Cornell University.