Advancing International One Health Collaboration: University of Georgia and Chongqing Medical University Strengthen Scientific Partnership

The One Health Institute of the School of Science and Technology at the University of Georgia continues to expand its international scientific collaboration with Chongqing Medical University in China. The partnership was established last year with Dr. Yu-Wei Teng, an internationally recognized scientist and expert in laboratory medicine. Dr. Teng, whose distinguished academic career has included extensive work at Vanderbilt University in the United States, currently serves as Honorary Academic Dean of the College of Public Health at Chongqing Medical University.

At Dr. Teng’s invitation, Tinatin Elbakidze, Head of the Laboratory of Microbial Genetics and Ecology at the One Health Institute, visited Chongqing Medical University from June 28 to July 18. The visit supported participation in international scientific and educational activities while further strengthening cooperation between the two institutions in the field of One Health. On June 29, Elbakidze travelled with colleagues from Chongqing Medical University to Xining, Qinghai Province, where the delegation participated in a series of institutional meetings devoted to One Health. Workshops were hosted by two prominent research institutions: the Qinghai Institute for Endemic Disease Prevention and Control and the Research Institute of High-Altitude Medicine. During a scientific symposium dedicated to “the Belt and Road Initiative”, Elbakidze delivered a presentation to researchers and specialists from these and other institutions of China.

She subsequently presented at the second international symposium hosted by the College of Public Health at Chongqing Medical University. Addressing academic staff and students, her presentation further explored topics related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

From July 3 to July 18, Elbakidze also led an intensive two-week course on the fundamentals of bioinformatics for the university’s academic staff and students. In addition to her teaching activities, she visited the College of Public Health’s research laboratories and learned about its current scientific projects and research priorities.

During the final stage of the visit, the representatives of the partner institutions developed a preliminary proposal for a joint scientific project. The initiative is intended to deepen research cooperation between the One Health Institute and Dr. Teng’s academic team, and to provide a foundation for future collaborative studies.

The visit represents an important step in the internationalization of both universities, contributing to the exchange of scientific expertise, the development of joint educational activities, and the advancement of international research initiatives. The partnership has already produced tangible academic results. A manuscript based on collaborative research conducted by scientists from the One Health Institute and Dr. Teng’s team has been submitted for publication in the internationally recognized journal Frontiers in Microbiology.