Collaborations and partnerships
Celsus Sente
Wildlife Veterinarian and Lecturer
Kampala
Summary
A multi-disciplinary professional with expertise in epidemiology, wildlife and ecosystem health, veterinary medicine, teaching, and scientific research. Involved in collaboration and partnership coordination, as well as the formation of research working groups. Supervises the conception and execution of research projects, STEM initiatives, ecosystem health study rotations, laboratory capacity building programs, and One Health study abroad programs. Lays emphasis on the potential of emerging disease pathogens from less prioritised wildlife species such as murid rodents, herptiles (amphibians and reptiles), and aquatic animals. Advocates for measures aimed at reducing health risks (zoonotic disease transmission) along the wildlife trade chain.
Overview
21
21
Professional experience
8
8
Graduate courses
12
12
Years of post-secondary education
3
3
Languages
Work History
Board Member
Synesthesia Society Of Africa (SSOA)
06.2020 - Current
- Facilitate the search for potential local, regional, and national funders and assist in relationship building
- Presided over board meetings and coordinated efforts to create awareness about synaesthesia and related traits and conditions in Africa
- Formulated and executed Synaesthesia Society of Africa’s first synaesthesia symposium in collaboration with International Association of Synaesthetes, Artists, and Scientists (IASAS).
- Prepared and presented strategies for promoting understanding of synaesthesia in Africa at the first Pan-African Synaesthesia Symposium on June 26th, 2021.
Coordinator, One Health Study Abroad Program
Makerere University
06.2014 - Current
- Receive and train One Health Study Abroad participants on issues relating to culture, applied epidemiology, public health, and disease dynamics at the human-animal interface annually.
- Developed annual One Health Study Abroad Programme hosted by Makerere University in collaboration with Mississippi State University, University of Surrey, Virginia Tech, University of Tulsa, and others.
- Trained more than 120 international participants on ecosystem health and application of One Health approach in disease epidemiology at human-wildlife-domestic animal interface.
- Supervised local and international students’ Summer Research Experience projects and published some findings.
- Assisted in establishing One Health Clubs for children in schools located near wildlife-protected areas in Uganda.
- Incorporated cultural contexts of local communities into One Health Study Abroad Programs.
- Implemented complimentary animal health initiatives for local livestock keepers around wildlife protected areas to enhance human health.
Honorary Advisor, One Health Field Projects
Field Expeditions In Uganda (FEU)
02.2014 - Current
- Tasked with offering specialised technical knowledge and guidance on One Health to partners and stakeholders in order to enable efficient implementation of field programs.
- Led training efforts to empower Safari Tour Operators (STOs) with relevant travel health advice and methods for managing diseases and injuries during travel in order to prepare domestic and international visitors.
- Offered guidance on travel-related diseases (TRDs) to individuals embarking on international travels.
- Offered travel guidance regarding TRDs to international students participating in study rotations, tourists, and field researchers.
Lecturer
Department Of Wildlife And Aquatic Animal Resources, Makerere University
09.2009 - Current
- Teaching and coordinating; disease outbreak preparedness and response; applied epidemiology; environmental health; environmental microbiology; aquatic eco-toxicology; free-living aquatic animal health; environmental health innovations; wildlife clinical medicine; wildlife capture, handling, and translocation; diagnostic techniques for wildlife; study abroad programs; ecosystem health; and other One Health-related work.
- Created four new courses during curriculum review (free-living aquatic animal health, disease outbreak preparedness and response, wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and re-introduction, field techniques for zoo, and wildlife capture).
- Provided guidance and support to 40 undergraduate and 12 graduate students in a supervisory and mentoring capacity.
- Examined over 40 undergraduate and 20 graduate theses.
- Prepared and published 22 scholarly papers in peer-reviewed journals.
- Led teams of educators, laboratory technicians, and support personnel to facilitate field training for students and implement One Health education initiatives aimed at reducing disease risks at interfaces between humans, wildlife, and domestic animals.
- Awarded 13 research grants to conduct scientific field research projects.
- Forged partnerships between Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Resources Department and local as well as international entities.
- Formed joint research initiatives in fields of One Health with local organisations like Uganda Wildlife Authority, Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, Elgon Wildlife Conservation Organisation, Field Expeditions in Uganda, and African Union for Conservationists.
- Supported integration of climate change education across curriculum (TROPIICSU program).
Consultant
IFAW, Maxwell Consult, GCF, TIP-TESO, MAK
01.2014 - 10.2022
- 2022: conducted scoping for animal rescue, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and risk reduction opportunities in Uganda (International Fund for Animal Welfare-IFAW).
- 2018-2020: provided information for developing “National Giraffe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Uganda (2017-2027 plan)” (Giraffe Conservation Foundation).
- 2019-2020: Conducted a feasibility study and developed a business plan for establishing Rwanda Wildlife Biological Resource Centre and Laboratory.
- 2018-2019: Conducted local poultry value chain analysis for ‘Teso Initiative for Peace (TIP-TESO)’, Eastern Uganda.
- 2015-2016: Supported University of California Davis team with information for building a National Laboratory Diagnostic System for Uganda.
Project Coordinator
Daktari Andorra
05.2011 - 05.2017
- Kept projects on schedule by managing deadlines and adjusting workflows
- Liaised between departments to facilitate communication and keep appropriate parties updated on project developments.
- Prepared and executed biological material transfers.
- Led local students' field trainings (field clinics, surgeries, vaccinations, deworming, and other treatments).
- Implemented free community service programs namely community health education and disease monitoring in humans and animals.
- Disseminated research findings to the local communities where the research was conducted.
Graduate Scholar
Michigan State University
08.2014 - 12.2014
- Worked in team environment to maintain high levels of productivity.
- Performed microbiological and molecular diagnostics studies with archived specimens.
- Enrolled in courses on Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing.
- Oversaw the progress of undergraduate students as they devised research projects to be carried out in Africa.
- Established a collaborating research network of scientists
Projects Team Lead
RUFFORD Foundation funded projects
08.2006 - 08.2010
- 2009-2010: Led teams to conduct projects on improving livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in farm forestry landscapes in Uganda.
- 2007-2008: Integrated farm forestry and biodiversity conservation around Lake Victoria, Sango-bay, Rakai district, Uganda.
- 2006-2007: Led teams to conduct projects on conservation of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity around Lake Victoria, Sango-bay region–Rakai district, Uganda.
Ecosystem Biologist/Veterinarian
Bioforosk-Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research
05.2007 - 12.2008
- Supported research on the epidemiology of Lyme disease.
- Supported one PhD student in her research on the biology and ecology of the red deer (Cervus eliphas) and sheep in relation to tick-borne diseases in humans.
- Performed red deer capture, handling, and sample collection.
- Prepared and published a scholarly paper in a peer-reviewed journal.
Director
Integrated Rural Community Development Initiative (IRUCODI)
02.2005 - 03.2007
- Directed writing of grants and executed grants management and evaluation
- Led successful project implementation
- Led management of River Malaba Ecosystem project (Nile Basin Initiative-NTEAP).
Intern
Center For Ecology And Hydrology
03.2006 - 04.2006
- Participated in ecosystem health monitoring using raptors as sentinels (Raptor-based environmental bio-monitoring scheme).
Co-tutor
Professor John E Cooper
01.2005 - 02.2005
- Conducted Lake Bogoria capacity building and training workshop at Bogoria Wildlife Reserve, western rift valley, Kenya, in collaboration with WWF Bogoria and WSPA Mombasa
Field Veterinarian
VAST (Uganda) Livestock Consultants LTD
02.2003 - 02.2004
- Performed veterinary extension work, offering agricultural advisory services.
- Trained more than 100 households on animal production and husbandry practices.
- Treated average of 120 domestic animals each month.
Education
Ph.D. - Ecosystem/Environmental Health
08.2011 - 08.2017
Master of Science - Wildlife Health And Management-Epidemiology
07.2004 - 07.2007
Bachelor - Veterinary Medicine
07.1997 - 07.2002
Skills
Team building for One Health Programs
undefinedAccomplishments
- Mentored one British student on developing a research project on animal cognition, cognitive bias as an indicator of animal emotion and welfare.
- Mentored one Ugandan zoo and wildlife veterinarian through the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) career program, 2022-2024.
- Supervised and mentored one student project through Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) mentorship program, 2022-2023.
- Mentored two female students under the theme ‘Future Women in STEM’ 2023-2024 cohort. Students
- Mentored two international students under the One Health Alliance (ISOHA) Mentorship Program.
Additional Information
Publications
1. Elizabeth Owemigisha, Andrew Omara Rwot, Daniel Sempebwa, Christine Mary Birungi, Andrew Tamale, Gilbert Drileyo, Bob Mali and Celsus Sente. Exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices of farmers at the edge of Budongo Forest on agrochemicals usage. Journal of Sustainable Environment. DOI - 10.1080/27658511.2023.2299537, in Production.
2. Celsus Sente, Howard Onyuth, Andrew Tamale, Bob Mali, Benigna Gabriela Namara, Jacob Gizamba Mugoya, Andrew Rwot Omara. 2023. Waterborne parasites in Uganda: A survey in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area. Journal of Public Health Challenges, 2(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/puh2.142
3. .Jesca Nakayima and Celsus Sente.2023. Epidemiology of African Tick-Bite Fever (Rickettsia africae) in Uganda. Journal of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Health. Vol. 15(4), pp. 40-42. DOI: 10.5897/JVMAH2023.1040
4. Jesca Nakayima and Celsus Sente. 2023. Epidemiology of Relapsing Fever Borreliae in Uganda. International Journal of Livestock Research, Vol. 13 (5) May’2023. http://www.ijlr.org.. eISSN: 2277-1964
5. Andrea Dias-Alves, Johan Espunyes, Teresa Ayats, Celsus Sente, Peregrine Sebulime, Jesus Muro, Josephine Tushabe, Caroline Asiimwe, Xavier Fernandez Aguilar, Robert Aruho, Ignasi Marco, Marta Planellas, Jesús Cardells, Oscar Cabezón & Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar. 2023. Foodborne Pathogens at the Livestock–Wildlife–Human Interface in Rural Western Uganda. EcoHealth. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10393-023-01639-6
6. Andrew Tamale, Justine Okello and Celsus Sente. 2023. Mercury Contamination and Spill-over at Human-Wildlife-Environment Interface; in Marine Pollution - Recent Developments. Chapter 3, IntechOpen, Rijeka DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.109492.
7. Celsus Sente, Howard Onyuth, Godfrey Matovu, Benigna Gabriela Namara, and Gizamba Jacob Mugoya. 2022. Provision of Travel Health Advice Through Local Tourist Handlers: Perspectives of Safari Tour Operators in Uganda, Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. DOI: 10.1016/j.tmaid.2022.102407
8. James Watuwa, Racheal Mbabazi¹ Celsus Sente, Victor Musiime, Barbara Alapo, David Musingo, James Musinguzi, and Liesel Laubscher.2022. A retrospective study on the immobilization of captive chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) at the Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre (UWEC), Uganda. Veterinary Record Case Reports. https://doi.org/10.1002/vrc2.602
9. Casey L Durfey, Tricia Rowlison , Charles Lagu , Celsus Sente, Margaret Khaitsa, Henry Clemente, Peter L Ryan, S. T. Willard, and Jean M Feugang. 2019. Improvement of cat and bull sperm quality using nanotechnology as a model for wild species. Reproduction Fertility and Development 31(1):181
DOI: 10.1071/RDv31n1Ab111.
10. Gizamba Jacob Mugoya, Celsus Sente, Samuel Nambile Cumber, Kabanda Taseera, Claude Ngwayu Nkfusai, and Catherine Atuhaire. 2019. Cryptosporidium and giardia species in newly and previously habituated gorillas and nearby water sources in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. Pan Afr Med J., 2019: 34: 112. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2019.34.112.19288
11. Bob Mali, Sam Okello, Michael Ocaido, Sarah Nalule, and Celsus Sente. 2019. Organic Baiting of Subterranean Termites. J. Agric & Vet Sc., 12 (9): 2319-2372.
12. Celsus Sente, Margaret Khaitsa, Joseph Tomusange, Howard Onyuth, David Kahwa & Hartford Bailey. 2019.Evaluation of the efficiency and quality of six surfaces in drying Haplochromis sp (enkejje) at Rubare fish landing site in Uganda, Cogent Food & Agriculture, 5:1, 1685444. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2019.1685444
13. Josephine Tushabe, Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar, Oscar Cabezón, T. Ayats, Dickson Ndoboli, Xavier Fernández Aguilar, Andreu Colom-Cadena, Johan Espunyes Nozières, Jesús Muro, Peregrine SebulimeAnd Ignasi Marco. 2018.Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. at the livestock Wildlife interface in rural Uganda. The 13th European Wildlife Diseases Association Conference (EWDA). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/360684753_Salmonella_spp_and_Campylobacter_spp_at_the_livestock_Wildlife_interface_in_rural_Uganda
14. Celsus Sente. 2017. Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Helminth of Habituated Nyakagezi Mountain gorilla group in Mgahinga Gorilla Natitonal Park: InJ Hopper, G Kalema-Zikusoka, C. Sente and J. Jaffe. Field studies in Pathology and Health monitoring, Chapter 7; In John E Cooper & Gordon Hull. Gorilla Pathology and Health. Elsevier, Academic Press; 2017; p 207-208.
15. Margaret Loy Khaitsa, Francis Ejobi, Samuel Majalija, Gabriel Tumwine, Celsus Sente, Samuel George Okech, Patrick Vudriko, Lawrence Mugisha, David Owiny Okello, Deborah Amulen, Kokas Ikwap, Sherman Jack, Robert Wills, David Smith, John David Kabasa. 2017. Tropical Veterinary Medicine and One Health: a case study of a study-abroad course with One Health principles integrated into Veterinary Medical Training.The Pan African Medical Journal, 27 (Supp 4):9.
16. Marco, I., Muro, J., Sente, C., Sebulime, P., Colom-Cadena, A., Fernández Aguilar, Cabezon, O., Serrano, E., Aruho., R., Ocaido, M and Nizeyi, J. 2017. Prevalence and molecular detection of Cryptosporidium and Giardia spp. at the wildlife, livestock and human interface in and around protected areas in Uganda.
17. Marco, I., Muro, J., Sente, C., Sebulime, P., Colom-Cadena, A., Fernández Aguilar, Cabezon, O., Serrano, E., Aruho., R., Ocaido, M and Nizeyi, J. 2017. Gastrointestinal parasites at the wildlife, livestock and human interface in and around protected areas in Uganda.
18. Celsus Sente, Joseph Erume, Irene Naigaga, Benigna Gabriela Namara, Julius Mulindwa, Sylvester Ochwo, Phillip Kimuda Magambo, Charles Drago Kato, Andrew Tamale, and Michael Ocaido (2016). Xenic cultivation and Genotyping of pathogenic Free-living Amoeba from public water supply sources in Uganda. New Journal of Science, vol. 2016, doi:10.1155/2016/6358315.
19. Celsus Sente, Joseph Erume, Irene Naigaga, Phillip Kimuda Magambo, Sylvester Ochwo, Julius Mulindwa, Benigna Gabriella Namara, Charles Drago Kato, George Sebyatika, Kevin Muwonge, Michael Ocaido. 2016. Prevalence of pathogenic free-living amoeba and other protozoa in natural and communal piped tap water from Queen Elizabeth protected area, Uganda. Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 5(1):68.
20. Celsus Sente, Joseph Erume, Irene Naigaga, Phillip Kimuda Magambo, Sylvester Ochwo, Julius Mulindwa, Benigna Gabriella Namara, Charles Drago Kato, George Sebyatika, Kevin Muwonge, Michael Ocaido. 2016. Occurrence and genetic characterisationof Acanthamoeba spp from environmental and domestic water sources in Queen Elizabeth Protected Area, Uganda. Journal of Parasites & Vectors. 9: 127.
21. Celsus Sente, John D Kabasa, Christine Dranzoa, Damba Andrew Gwabali and Josephine Tushabe.2016. Gastrointestinal helminths of semi-domesticated helmeted guinea fowl (Numida meleagris) under different management systems in Arua district, Uganda. Afr. J. Poult. Farming. 4 (2):123-129.
22. Celsus Sente, Erling L. Meisingset, Alina L. Evans, Sari J. Wedul, Barbara Zimmermann, and Jon M. Arnemo. 2014. Reversible Immobilization of Free-ranging Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) with Xylazine-Tiletamine-Zolazepam and Atipamezole. Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 50(2):359-363.
23. Tamale Andrew, Ejobi Francis, Muyanja Charles, Irene Naigaga, Nakavuma Jessica, Ocaido Micheal, Kato Drago & Sente Celsus. 2016. Risk Estimates for Children and Pregnant women exposed to Mercury-contaminated Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus in Lake Albert Uganda. Cogent Food & Agriculture. 2 (1). http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/23311932.2016.1228732.
24. Tamale Andrew, Ejobi Francis, Muyanja Charles, Irene Naigaga, Nakavuma Jessica, Ocaido Micheal, Kato Drago & Sente Celsus. 2016. Mercury concentration in muscle, bellyfat and liver from Oreochromis niloticus and Lates niloticus consumed in a fishing community of a developing country. Cogent Food & Agriculture. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311932.2016.1214996.
25. Joyce Margaret Ekopai, Nathan Lubowa Musisi, Howard Onyuth, Benigna Gabriela Namara, and Celsus Sente, “Determination of Bacterial Quality of Water in Randomly Selected Swimming Pools in Kampala City, Uganda,” New Journal of Science, vol. 2017: 798.
Interests
Puplic health
Epidemiology
Biotechnology
Advanced disease diagnostics
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Wildlife Conservation Medicine
Free-living aquatic animal health
Disease dynamics at the human-animal interface
Geohealth
Timeline
Board Member - Synesthesia Society Of Africa (SSOA)
06.2020 - Current
Graduate Scholar - Michigan State University
08.2014 - 12.2014
Coordinator, One Health Study Abroad Program - Makerere University
06.2014 - Current
Honorary Advisor, One Health Field Projects - Field Expeditions In Uganda (FEU)
02.2014 - Current
Consultant - IFAW, Maxwell Consult, GCF, TIP-TESO, MAK
01.2014 - 10.2022
Makerere University - Ph.D., Ecosystem/Environmental Health
08.2011 - 08.2017
Project Coordinator - Daktari Andorra
05.2011 - 05.2017
Lecturer - Department Of Wildlife And Aquatic Animal Resources, Makerere University
09.2009 - Current
Ecosystem Biologist/Veterinarian - Bioforosk-Norwegian Institute for Agricultural and Environmental Research
05.2007 - 12.2008
Projects Team Lead - RUFFORD Foundation funded projects
08.2006 - 08.2010
Intern - Center For Ecology And Hydrology
03.2006 - 04.2006
Director - Integrated Rural Community Development Initiative (IRUCODI)
02.2005 - 03.2007
Co-tutor - Professor John E Cooper
01.2005 - 02.2005
Makerere University - Master of Science, Wildlife Health And Management-Epidemiology
07.2004 - 07.2007
Field Veterinarian - VAST (Uganda) Livestock Consultants LTD
02.2003 - 02.2004
Makerere University - Bachelor, Veterinary Medicine
07.1997 - 07.2002
Graduate courses
Nov 2022: Disease Risk Modeling (Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute)
Nov 2021: Open distance and e-learning (Makerere University, Uganda)
Aug 2016: GEOHEALTH (Using GIS to improve public health), University of Twente, Netherlands
Dec 2014: Molecular Diagnostic Techniques (Michigan State University, USA)
Dec 2012: Philosophy of Methods (Makerere University, Uganda)
Dec 2012: Research Management (Makerere University, Uganda)
Dec 2007: GIS-Intro (Gjøvik University College, Norway)
Mar 2006: Avian Health (Institute for Animal Health, Compton, UK)
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