Research summary
Antimicrobial resistance in pathogens that infect livestock is a growing global threat, but reducing antibiotic use without harming animal health remains a challenge. Dr. Nicole Ricker, Canada Research Chair in Systems Approaches to Reducing Antimicrobial Resistance, is taking a One Health approach (linking human, animal and environmental health) to disease management, integrating animal health, pathogen biology, microbiome diversity, and farm management practices.
Using advanced genomic and multi-omics data, she and her research team are developing predictive models to understand how these factors interact and evaluating strategies to reduce disease risk and antimicrobial resistance. They are exploring alternatives to antibiotics, such as targeted treatments, probiotics, and phage therapy, while identifying practices that promote a healthy microbiome. By providing evidence-based tools for farmers and policy-makers, their work will help maintain herd health, safeguard the food supply, and reduce reliance on antimicrobials in animal production.