Genomic insights into the transmission pathways of foodborne pathogens in fish from aquaculture to consumer in Thailand

The OneZoo CDT offers an unprecedented level of diversity and transdisciplinarity, with award-winning educators and experts in zoonotic diseases and environmental sciences from Cardiff University, Aberystwyth University, Queen’s University Belfast, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. The OneZoo CDT works collectively, fosters creation of the OneZoo research community, and empowers students to develop their own training to acquire strong transferable skills.

The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is pleased to invite applications for 4 projects for 2025-26 based at the School.

OneZoo students will undertake a 3.5 year systematic programme of training in core transferable and specialist skills, alongside their specific PhD project, that will build an in depth understanding of the key drivers of zoonotic diseases and form the basis for devising holistic solutions.

Background

Our transdisciplinary OneZoo CDT will equip the next generation of world-leading scientists with the skills and insight necessary to tackle current and future zoonotic threats. To design successful, innovative environmental prevention and control strategies, zoonotic drivers need to be understood through an integrated systems approach. As part of the OneZoo programme you will build an in-depth understanding of the connectivity between key drivers of pathogen host shifts, spill-over and onward transmission; exploring pathogen, environmental and human societal processes that can promote zoonotic disease and form the basis of integrated environmental solutions.

About the project

The rapid globalisation of food systems has intensified the threat of foodborne illnesses, posing significant challenges to public health, food safety, and economies worldwide. In Thailand, fish is a primary food source, supported by extensive aquaculture regions. However, there is evidence of foodborne pathogen transmission across farms, polluted environments, markets, and to humans, contributing to diarrheal infections and increased mortality in children under five. Our project aims to leverage genomics to understand pathogen transmission mechanisms within Thailand’s aquaculture food supply chain. Early childhood diarrhoea caused by Escherichia coli pathovars is a One Health challenge, with Thailand experiencing a high burden from fish-related sources. This multidisciplinary project will utilise advanced sequencing and pathogen genomics to trace and understand the transmission dynamics and virulence of E. coli pathovars across fish farms, related environmental settings, and marketplaces.

Where will the project be based?

Based in London, the student will travel to Thailand for fieldwork and capacity strengthening activities.

Funding Notes:

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) was awarded funding as part of the OneZoo CDT to support studentships over three years, with cohort intakes in the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.

The studentship will provide:

• tuition fees (at the LSHTM home fee rate);
• a student stipend (at the UKRI studentship rate, which was GBP 21,237.00 per annum in 2024-25); and
• a research training and support grant to go towards consumables and training for the duration of the award.

Applicants must meet minimum LSHTM entry requirements. Please see the specific project details above for any further requirements.

Some projects may be suitable for part-time study; anyone wishing to undertake part-time study is encouraged to contact the supervisor for more details.

Successful international applicants will be eligible for an LSHTM international fee bursary to cover the tuition fee top up costs in full for studentships awarded via OneZoo. Please note that priority will be given to applicants who are nationals of, and residents in, low income countries and lower middle income countries (LLMICs), and that the number of bursaries is limited to one per programme in any academic year for these schemes, as is noted on the LSHTM international recruitment statement.

Successful international applicants who are not awarded an LSHTM international fee bursary will be required to cover the tuition fee top up costs from other sources (e.g. other scholarship or bursary awards). Awardees may not use their studentship stipend to top up fees.

Supervisors:

• Principal Supervisor: Professor Taane Clark (LSHTM)
• Co-Supervisor: Professor Susana Campino (LSHTM)
• Co-Supervisor: Professor John McGrath (Queen’s University Belfast)
• Partner Supervisor: Professor Saharuetai Jeamsripong (Chulalongkorn University)

For further information, contact Professor Taane Clark (taane.clark@lshtm.ac.uk)

Any general queries regarding research degrees at the London School of Hygiene and tropical medicine, please email doctoralcollege@lshtm.ac.uk