Ekta Patel is a scientist at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and ILRI's point of contact for the WOAH One Health Collaborating Center. Her research centers on the livestock–wildlife interface as an important ecosystem for understanding and managing disease risks affecting both human and animal health. By examining disease and antimicrobial resistance at animal–environmental interfaces, her work strengthens global health security through improved surveillance, preparedness, and response.
Her research includes analyses of the wild meat value chain and environmental surveillance systems, key for anticipating zoonotic spillover and mitigating biosecurity threats. These efforts address immediate health risks while promoting sustainable ecosystem management for long-term resilience.
Holding a PhD in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a background in Microbiology, she has contributed to antimicrobial resistance research and East Coast fever solutions in Kenya. She has also advanced clean water initiatives with Aquaya Inc. and explored cellular systems with Isolagen Inc. Across these roles, her focus has remained on infectious diseases, surveillance innovation, and early warning systems which contribute towards global preparedness against emerging health threats.
My Blog Posts
New science
New African swine fever vaccine shows promise against some virus strains, but highlights challenges of broad protection
ILRI News
From forests to forks: Addressing wild meat trade and health risks across Africa and Asia-Pacific
ILRI News
Institutionalizing One Health in Eastern and Southern Africa with evidence from regional case studies
ILRI News
International Livestock Research Institute joins USD 27.4M global initiative to cut methane from livestock
ILRI News
CGIAR Antimicrobial Resistance Hub enhances the capacity of laboratory professionals across low- and middle-income countries against antimicrobial resistance
ILRI News
International Year of the Camelids: Collaborative effort needed to tackle unknown camel diseases in the IGAD region
ILRI News
Unlocking the power of the genome: A leap towards enhanced food nutrition security and species conservation
ILRI News
COHESA's One Health Observatory: A one stop shop on One Health activities in 12 countries in Africa
ILRI News
ILRI’s contributions to wildlife research spotlighted at the WRTI’s inaugural Wildlife Scientific Conference
ILRI News
The impact of climate change on health and livelihoods of farming communities in Africa: A complex and integrated challenge
Hot topic
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI): A strategic partnership to safeguard global animal health
ILRI News
ILRI and the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation sign MoU to collaborate on the development of genomic tools for Napier (elephant) grass
Stopping the global rise of high-impact zoonotic and food-borne diseases, and antimicrobial resistance
ILRI News
Connections between livestock, biosecurity and climate change: Challenges and Opportunities of strengthening Africa's disease preparedness and response capacities
Making a subunit vaccine against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia to improve the livelihoods of cattle owners in Africa
ILRI and ICARS sign a collaborative agreement to address antimicrobial resistance in low-and middle-income countries
ILRI News
Supply and delivery of antimicrobials in smallholder livestock productions system in Uganda
ILRI News
A new animal health platform to generate products and transform animal health services for low- and middle-income countries
ILRI News
Genomic selection for tropical forage grasses: A solution to meet the growing global demand for animal-source foods
ILRI News
ILRI’s annual Capacity Development Grand Challenge sees an increased number of entries in 2020
Strengthening wildlife health capacities and use of One Health can support global efforts to eradicate ‘goat plague’
ILRI News
Scientists find genomic regions associated with better quality stover traits in maize for animal feed
ILRI News
Towards eradicating rabies in Kenya: One Health Centre in Africa supports vaccination campaign in Machakos
ILRI News
ILRI deploys the Nobel Prize-winning technology, CRISPR-Cas9, to accelerate African swine fever vaccine development
ILRI News
CGIAR AMR Hub strengthens partnerships and research to reduce agriculture-associated antimicrobial resistance in low- and middle-income countries
ILRI News
Updated CGIAR feed database provides best-cost livestock feed rations for sub-Saharan Africa
ILRI News
Excursions of a biochemical kind: ILRI hosts CUNY–Regeneron ‘power couple’ working to improve the health of African cattle and COVID-19 patients
ILRI’s Kapiti Research Station commits to preserving biodiversity and conserving wildlife through its wildlife corridor
ILRI Forage Genebank supports development of improved forage varieties to increase livestock productivity in Ethiopia
ILRI’s ‘Azizi’ facility is storing samples of livestock and wildlife biodiversity for future research
ILRI feed technology research platform makes more fodder available to developing-world livestock keepers
The straw that might break the camel’s back: exploring the link between COVID-19 and antibiotic resistance in low- and middle-income countries
New Tick Cell Biobank Outpost at ILRI to support research in Africa on ticks and tick-borne diseases
As United States marks January as ‘National One Health Awareness Month’, public, veterinary and environmental health in Africa is bolstered by the start of a new ‘One Health’ centre
ILRI scientists are applying advanced ‘nanovaccinology’ in development of new vaccines against devastating tropical livestock diseases
Animal health experts on the ‘goat plague’ known as PPR chart ways forward for better controlling a widespread disease harming the world’s small-scale sheep and goats producers
Building capacity of African researchers in genomics to play key role in boosting productivity of livestock systems
ILRI and China’s Nanjing Agricultural University commit to deepen collaboration for livestock research and capacity development
ONE HEALTH FOR AFRICA: Germany’s BMZ initiates a new ‘One Health Research, Education and Outreach Centre for Africa’
#OneHealthDay is this Sunday: Join ILRI in collaborative work for healthier people, animals and lands
Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health celebrates five-year milestone and plans for its future
A few engineering breakthroughs that could (literally) transform Africa’s dairy systems and food security
Scientists test an experimental vaccine against malignant catarrhal fever at ILRI’s Kapiti Research Station
ILRI and India’s National Institute of Animal Biotechnology to identify potential areas of research collaborations in livestock genetics and animal health
Five years of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health: celebrating achievements and renewing commitments
Boosting Uganda’s action plans on livestock development – BMZ-funded project to tackle animal health challenges
Minimizing the risks of Rift Valley fever in Uganda – BuildUganda project to build national surveillance and response capacities
Eradicating Peste des Petits Ruminants in Uganda – BuildUganda project to reinforce national disease control capacities
Sam Thevasagayam of the Gates Foundation receives the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ 2019 International Award
Reducing antimicrobial use in Uganda’s poultry value chain – BuildUganda project aims to manage risks through tested interventions
