Cody is a PhD candidate at the University of Saskatchewan studying Trichinella, a zoonotic foodborne parasite that can infect both terrestrial and marine mammals as well as humans. Cody’s work reflects a deep commitment to One Health as it acknowledges the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Trichinella infection poses a significantly higher human health risk in Northern Canada, with an incidence rate nearly 800 times higher in some parts of Northern Canada than in the rest of the country. Ensuring food safety and sovereignty in the Canadian North is of paramount importance given its subsistence and economic significance, along with its spiritual and cultural importance. Cody’s interest in zoonoses (diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans) and in contributing to solving complex problems in complex environments has led him to work in the spectacular Canadian North. By investigating the prevalence of Trichinella species across a diverse range of hosts in the North, Cody’s work will expand our current knowledge of the parasite, while also characterizing the newest species, Trichinella chanchalensis. This research will also provide meaningful information that Northerners can use to make informed decisions about the infection risk of consuming wild carnivores and omnivores.
