Dr. Rebecca Bodenham

Having joined EcoHealth Alliance as Field Scientist on the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever project, Becca brings a background in wildlife, livestock and human research in various regions of sub-Saharan Africa. She has earned a BSc in Zoology from the University of Liverpool, a MSc in Conservation Science from Imperial College London, and a PhD in epidemiology from the University of Glasgow.

Whilst assisting on different wildlife research projects in central and southern Africa, Becca was drawn towards the epidemiology of infectious diseases. As well as the need for a One Health approach, whereby multisectoral and collaborative strategies are used to address the interlinked impacts of disease on animals, people, and the environment. She became particularly interested in zoonoses, those diseases that are transmitted between animals and people, and how zoonotic diseases can carry disproportionate impacts for hard to reach communities in low- and middle-income countries. This interest led her to study a PhD in epidemiology. Her PhD research looked into the zoonotic disease brucellosis, focusing on the epidemiology of human and animal brucellosis in rural pastoral areas of Tanzania. During Becca’s PhD research, time and again she realized the importance of One Health in infectious disease research and in the development of effective disease prevention and control strategies.

Becca is extremely enthusiastic to help in broadening our understanding of the dynamics of CCHF virus in people, livestock and wildlife in Tanzania, adopting a One Health approach each step of the way. With a greater understanding of the burden of CCHF virus, we can work to develop outbreak prevention as well as preparedness and response mechanisms that can help reduce the risk of CCHF for Tanzania and the global community.