UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
UPEI Canada Research Chair in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals renewed

Dr. Caroline Ritter, assistant professor in the UPEI Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, has been renewed as a Tier 2 Canada Research Chair (CRC) in Socio-Psychological Epidemiology for Healthy Animals for five years ending June 30, 2030.

Dr. Ritter's chair, valued at $500,000, was included in an announcement of more than $690 million to support science and research made by the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, on October 22.

As CRC, Dr. Ritter will investigate antimicrobial use (AMU) in the dairy industry and how prudent use can mitigate the development of resistant pathogens. Antimicrobials are used to kill or inhibit the growth of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.

Dr. Carline Ritter (centre) with graduate student Tunmise Faith Ehigbor (left) and Banting postdoctoral fellow Dr. Katie Koralesky (right)

"Antimicrobial resistance driven by AMU is a major threat to human, animal, and environmental health worldwide," she said. "While scientific inquiry in recent years has helped to understand motivators and barriers that affect dairy farmers' decisions to transition to more selective AMU, more research is needed to understand how they can be better supported during the transition phase."

Dr. Ritter will work with her graduate student Tunmise Faith Ehigbor and Banting postdoctoral fellow Dr. Katie Koralesky, among other researchers, to explore why the transition to selective AMU worked well on some dairy farms while others decided to return to less selective management. This approach will provide a deeper understanding of the context and mechanisms that contribute to a successful transition to selective AMU.

In collaboration with Dr. Dave Renaud and Havie Carter, researchers at the Ontario Veterinary College, the team will also investigate a train-the-trainer educational model through which veterinarians are trained to educate farmers about selective AMU.

"Veterinarians are trusted farm advisors and are uniquely positioned to promote and support selective AMU," said Dr. Ritter. "The train-the-trainer model where experts from industry and academia train veterinarians who then train farmers can efficiently share knowledge and strengthen local capacity."

Ultimately, she said, the lessons learned from the research will provide recommendations for selective AMU that are practical, beneficial, and acceptable to veterinarians and farmers, thus enhancing the potential for widespread implementation.

Dr. Greg Naterer, Vice-President, Academic and Research, congratulated Dr. Ritter on the renewal of her CRC.

"Dr. Ritter is a world-renowned researcher who has made significant contributions to the fields of dairy cattle and equine health and welfare," he said. "Her work will result in the development of best practices that will benefit the health and welfare of animals. Through this CRC program, she will also make important contributions to the education of future veterinarians and the veterinary medical profession."

UPEI acknowledges the assistance of Canada's tri-council of federal granting agencies the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through its Research Support Fund, which helps fund services and infrastructure that support research activities at the University. In 2025-2026, UPEI's RSF allocation is $1,168,176.