On the virtual call from Humanimal Trust in the United Kingdom were Drs. Tracey King and Roberto La Ragione. Representing OSU were from the College of Veterinary Medicine: Drs. Ashish Ranjan, Kerr Foundation Endowed Chair, professor in Physiological Sciences and director of INTERACT; Carlos Risco, dean of OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine; and Jerry Malayer, senior associate dean of Research and Graduate Education, professor and McCasland Chair; and from the School of Global Studies and Partnerships: Vivian Wang, director of Global Partnerships.

OSU Veterinary College’s INTERACT Partners with Humanimal Trust

Thursday, August 19, 2021

Media Contact: Derinda Blakeney | College of Veterinary Medicine | 405-744-6740 | derinda@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine’s Institute for Translational and Emerging Research in Advanced Comparative Therapy (INTERACT) recently inked a memorandum of understanding with Humanimal Trust, a United Kingdom based charity which drives collaboration between veterinarians, physicians, and the allied health/scientific disciplines.

Launched in December 2020, INTERACT aims to promote One Health research by developing new therapeutics and diagnostic platforms for both veterinary and human medical settings.

“News of the launch of INTERACT inspired Dr. Tracey King, research and outreach manager with Humanimal Trust, to contact me about collaborating with OSU,” said Dr. Ashish Ranjan, Kerr Foundation Endowed Chair, professor in Physiological Sciences and director of INTERACT. “This partnership will give both entities an opportunity to support One Health initiatives, and learn the approaches that each country is applying to improve the lives of animals and humans globally. When international travel resumes, we hope to promote faculty and student exchanges for cross-country research projects.”

“We are delighted to be entering into partnership with INTERACT," said Dr. Roberto La Ragione, professor and Humanimal Trust’s Chair of Trustees. "This is a pivotal moment for both Humanimal Trust and One Medicine and highlights the fact that when we work together, we are truly stronger together and can, therefore, deliver equitable benefits for both humans and animals.”

“I want to thank Humanimal Trust for their interest in Oklahoma State University and their willingness to partner with INTERACT," said Dr. Carlos Risco, dean of OSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. "This Memorandum of Understanding provides ample opportunities for both of us to work together and stimulate research that will drive medical progress and discovery in One Health to improve the lives of both people and animals, which I feel is our mutual mission.”

“The concept of One Medicine is much further ahead in the U.S. than in the U.K.,” King said. “We’re very excited about our partnership with INTERACT and working together to bring both human and veterinary medicine together as one.”

On the virtual call from Humanimal Trust in the United Kingdom were Drs. King and La Ragione. Representing OSU were from the College of Veterinary Medicine: Drs. Ranjan, Risco and Jerry Malayer, senior associate dean of Research and Graduate Education, professor and McCasland Chair; and from the School of Global Studies and Partnerships: Vivian Wang, director of Global Partnerships.