Food Safety, Fieldwork, and Fluency at the National University of Costa Rica

We are excited to share Ellen Bryant’s experience below, funded by Dr. Thomas Mack.

During my elective rotation experience at the National University of Costa Rica (UNA), I was able to work in several different departments, including the Hospital for Small Animals and Exotic Species, Equine Hospital and Regenerative Medicine, and Laboratory for Food Safety and Pubic Health. I participated in field calls and ambulatory medicine services to several dairies, assisted in elective and emergency surgeries in companion animals, and collected samples for ongoing public health research.

One of the experiences I most value from this time is being able to see food safety research progress directly from the field to the lab, starting with networking with local small-scale dairy farmers, collecting samples of artisanal/homemade local cheeses produced directly on farm, to processing those samples at the University. This project, forming the final thesis of one of UNA’s graduates, is a key step in connecting farmers with local resources and education to improve sanitation and practices while preserving the local cheese making tradition that is integral to the region. It also serves to foster a relationship between researchers and producers who otherwise may be hesitant to open their farms to observers.

With another project, I gained extensive practical experience in benchtop research while collecting and processing environmental samples in the Equine Hospital. These samples, aimed at identifying strains of key pathogens demonstrating antimicrobial resistance, were part of a larger study between Ohio State and UNA. I learned new techniques for bacterial isolation and production of a variety of selective media.

In addition to the hands-on clinical and laboratory experience I gained during this trip, I vastly improved my medical and scientific Spanish vocabulary, and completed all duties exclusively in Spanish. Being able to communicate directly with animal owners, producers, and colleagues in their language was not only helpful for my personal development, it was a key part of advancing One Health through the projects I assisted with.  Direct communication and mutual understanding with my fellow veterinarians was essential while working in a foreign country.