Training/Teaching
May 27, 2026
A lecture on Risk Assessment for Climate Change Adaptation
Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time—from shifting weather patterns and changing disease dynamics to rising sea levels that can cause catastrophic flooding—with far-reaching impacts on public health, food security, infrastructure, ecosystems, and economies. Building climate resilience requires two complementary strategies: mitigation, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation, which manages current and future climate risks.
Several adaptation frameworks and guidelines have been developed to support evidence-based planning and decision-making. Examples include the Climate Resilience Toolkit, the California Climate Adaptation Planning Guide, and coastal climate adaptation decision-support tools.
This lecture, followed by an in-class group exercise, focused on risk assessment and impact evaluation in climate adaptation planning for graduate students in epidemiology and public health at UC Davis as part of the Risk Assessment course.
Students conducted a qualitative risk assessment based on projected sea-level rise and associated coastal flooding, identifying potential hazards, vulnerabilities, and adaptation strategies. I particularly enjoyed seeing students apply risk assessment frameworks to real-world climate change challenges.
March 13, 2026
A lecture on Introduction to Molecular Epidemiology
Molecular epidemiology integrates molecular biology with epidemiology to examine how host, pathogen, and environmental factors shape disease occurrence and transmission in populations.
Using approaches such as phylogenetics, phylodynamics, and phylogeography, it provides insights into pathogen evolution, transmission dynamics, and spatial spread.
This lecture, followed by an interactive discussion session, focused on these concepts and their applications in infectious disease research for graduate students in epidemiology and public health programs at UC Davis.
January 26-February 06, 2026
Facilitated student team discussions at the 2026 Winter One Health Conference for Future Global Health, hosted by WIFSS of UC Davis
This conference is hosted by UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS), a distinguished member of the Global One Health Research Partnership (GOHRP).
This is an in-depth educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the importance of applying a One Health approach to solving specific, complex problems that arise at the interface of people, animals, and the environment.
As a Team Facilitator at this conference, I mentored and guided a student team in collaborative problem-solving and interdisciplinary discussions.
January 25, 2026
Introduced Research Conduct 101, a rapid 12-session guide from idea to publication, to the virtual Veterinary Journal Club.
We introduced Research Conduct 101, a rapid 12-session guide from idea to publication, to the VJC, beginning with the first session titled “Unlock Your Research: Essential Digital Tools for Veterinary Research.”
April 19, 2025
Launched the virtual Veterinary Journal Club for Sri Lankan veterinary students and early-career veterinarians
I co-founded, together with four other members, the VJC (virtual) on April 19, 2025 for veterinary students and early-career veterinarians in Sri Lanka. The initiative provides a platform for discussing clinical studies and research in veterinary medicine, enabling participants to strengthen their scientific communication skills and actively engage in both research and clinical discussions.
Our first meeting introduced the structure of the Journal Club, its vision and mission, and provided guidance on how participants can actively engage to gain the most from the experience.
March 13, 2025
A lecture on Molecular Epidemiology Methods for Infectious Disease Control
Advances in genomic science are reshaping the landscape of public health, offering powerful new ways to understand and combat infectious diseases.
Integrating molecular and evolutionary genetic tools with traditional epidemiological methods has the potential to transform how we prevent and control outbreaks. Key approaches—including phylogenetics, evolutionary pressure analysis, genetic diversity assessment, and virulome profiling—provide deeper insight into pathogen transmission, evolution, and adaptation.
This lecture focused on these topics, highlighting both the underlying scientific concepts and their real-world applications in infectious disease research for undergraduate students in the Topics in Public Health course at UC Davis.
February 3 – 14, 2025
Facilitated student team discussions at the 2025 Winter One Health Conference for Future Global Health, hosted by WIFSS of UC Davis
This conference is hosted by UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS), a distinguished member of the Global One Health Research Partnership (GOHRP).
This is an in-depth educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the importance of applying a One Health approach to solving specific, complex problems that arise at the interface of people, animals, and the environment.
As a Team Facilitator at this conference, I mentored and guided a student team in collaborative problem-solving and interdisciplinary discussions.
August 5 – 16, 2024
Facilitated student team discussions at the 2024 Summer One Health Conference for Future Global Health, hosted by WIFSS of UC Davis
This conference is hosted by UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security (WIFSS), a distinguished member of the Global One Health Research Partnership (GOHRP).
This is an in-depth educational experience for undergraduate and graduate students to learn about the importance of applying a One Health approach to solving specific, complex problems that arise at the interface of people, animals, and the environment.
As a Team Facilitator at this conference, I mentored and guided a student team in collaborative problem-solving and interdisciplinary discussions.
Jul 29-Aug 9, 2024
Facilitated student team discussions at the Vet Next Conference 2024, held at UC Davis
This conference was a collaborative initiative featuring UC Davis, Fear Free, and LINKOUT, with a primary emphasis on future vet education and the convergence of veterinary medicine and modern agriculture.
It aimed to bring together veterinary medicine and agriculture to foster sustainable growth in global food systems, animal welfare, and public health through expert presentations, in-depth discussions, group dialogues, and collaborative activities.
As a Team Facilitator at this conference, I mentored and guided a student team in collaborative problem-solving and interdisciplinary discussions.
Aug 28-Sep 8, 2023
A lecture on Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance at the Vet Next Conference 2023, held at UC Davis
This conference was a collaborative initiative featuring UC Davis, Fear Free, and LINKOUT, with a primary emphasis on future vet education and the convergence of veterinary medicine and modern agriculture [1].
It aimed to bring together veterinary medicine and agriculture to foster sustainable growth in global food systems, animal welfare, and public health through expert presentations, in-depth discussions, group dialogues, and collaborative activities.
This lecture highlighted the significance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), explored key resistance mechanisms, and emphasized the critical role of AMR epidemiology and surveillance through practical examples, while underscoring the importance of strengthening surveillance by bridging genomics, microbiology, and epidemiology.