Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Interests
Publications
Timeline
Teacher
Celsus Sente

Celsus Sente

Wildlife Veterinarian and Lecturer
Kampala,KLA

Overview

21
21
years of professional experience
3
3
Language
14
14
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Board Member

Synesthesia Society Of Africa, SSOA
06.2020 - Current
  • FC
  • 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, Makerere University
Kampala
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
02.2014 - Current
  • Field Expeditions In Uganda (FEU), Kampala, Uganda, KLA
  • 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

Of Wildlife, Resources, Makerere University
Kampala
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
Kampala, KLA
01.2014 - 10.2022
  • Conducted scoping for animal rescue, disaster preparedness, disaster response, and risk reduction opportunities in Uganda (International Fund for Animal Welfare-IFAW).

Consultant

Maxwell Consult
Musanze, Rwanda, MUS
05.2018 - 07.2020
  • Conducted a feasibility study and developed a business plan for establishing Rwanda Wildlife Biological Resource Centre and Laboratory.

Consultant

GCF
Kampala, Uganda, KLA
05.2018 - 06.2020
  • Provided information for developing the National Giraffe Conservation Strategy and Action Plan of Uganda (2017-2027 plan)

Consultant

TIP-TESO
Kampala, Uganda, KLA
01.2018 - 01.2019
  • Conducted local poultry value chain analysis for ‘Teso Initiative for Peace (TIP-TESO)', Eastern Uganda.

Project Coordinator

Daktari Andorra
Kampala
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
Lansing, Michigan
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
Kampala, KLA
08.2009 - 08.2010

Led teams to conduct projects on improving livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in farm forestry landscapes in Uganda.

Ecosystem Biologist/Veterinarian

Bioforosk, Norwegian Institute
05.2007 - 12.2008
  • For Agricultural and Environmental Research, Norway
  • 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.

Project Team Lead

Rufford Foundation
London, UK
08.2006 - 08.2008
  • Integrated farm forestry and biodiversity conservation around Lake Victoria, Sango-bay, Rakai district, Uganda
  • Led teams to conduct projects on conservation of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity around Lake Victoria, Sango-bay region–Rakai district, Uganda.

Director

Integrated Rural Community Development Initiative
Kampala, Uganda
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).

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
Bogoria
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

Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda
08.2011 - 08.2017

Master of Science - Wildlife Health And Management-Epidemiology

Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda
07.2004 - 07.2007

Bachelor - Veterinary Medicine

Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda
07.1997 - 07.2002

University of Twente
Aug 2016

Michigan State University
Dec 2014

Research Management

Makerere University
Dec 2012

No Degree - GIS-Intro

Gjøvik University College

No Degree - Avian Health

Institute For Animal Health
Kampala Uganda

No Degree - Disease Risk Modeling

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Kampala, Uganda

No Degree - Open Distance And E-learning

Makerere University
Kampala, Uganda

Skills

  • Team building for One Health Programs
  • Excellent
  • Risk communication
  • Negotiation skills for One Health Study Abroad Programs
  • Organising field projects and field expeditions
  • Mentorship skills
  • Time management
  • Inspections and reviews

Accomplishments

• Collaboratively developed and implemented the annual One Health Study Abroad Program for the Department of Wildlife and Aquatic Animal Resources (WAA), College of Veterinary Medicine, Animal Resources, and Biosecurity (COVAB), Makerere University. The aforementioned program serves as a collaborative platform that facilitates the participation of individuals from various regions worldwide in order to partake in One Health training, which focuses on the interface between animals and humans, aiming to enhance comprehension of disease dynamics within the broader context of human culture, the environment, and animal engagement.

• Forged One Health Study Abroad Partnerships with 5 international entities (Mississippi State University, University of Tulsa, Virginia Tech, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and University of Surrey).

• Significant contributions to the field of fish processing by innovating new and enhanced fish drying surfaces that possess superior capabilities for ensuring the safety of dried fish. These advancements resulted in a notable reduction in microbial presence during the drying process, in contrast to the conventional practice of drying fish on bare ground.

• Contributed to the optimisation of integrated control of ticks and tsetse flies in mixed game and livestock interfaces in Uganda.

• Contributed to the dearth of knowledge on water-borne parasites in natural and domestic water wildlife protected areas. The findings are being used to advocate for improved piped tap water systems in Uganda's protected areas in order to ensure the safety of the local people and the growing number of tourists visiting these areas.

• 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 the 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.

Interests

Interests, collaborations and partnerships, puplic health, applied epidemiology, Biotechnology, advanced disease diagnostics, Neglected Tropical Diseases, wildlife conservation medicine, free-living aquatic animal health, disease dynamics at the human-animal interface, geohealth

Publications

1. Owemigisha, E., Rwot, A. O., Sempebwa, D., Birungi, C. M., Tamale, A., Drileyo, G., . . . Sente, C. 2024. Exploring knowledge, attitudes and practices of farmers at the edge of Budongo forest on agrochemicals usage. Sustainable Environment, 10(1), 2299537. doi:10.1080/27658511.2023.2299537 .

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 Mbabazi 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, Celsus Sente, Peregrine Sebulime And 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.

Timeline

Board Member

Synesthesia Society Of Africa, SSOA
06.2020 - Current

Consultant

Maxwell Consult
05.2018 - 07.2020

Consultant

GCF
05.2018 - 06.2020

Consultant

TIP-TESO
01.2018 - 01.2019

Graduate Scholar

Michigan State University
08.2014 - 12.2014

Coordinator

One Health, Makerere University
06.2014 - Current

Honorary Advisor

One Health Field Projects
02.2014 - Current

Consultant

IFAW
01.2014 - 10.2022

Ph.D - Ecosystem/Environmental Health

Makerere University
08.2011 - 08.2017

Project Coordinator

Daktari Andorra
05.2011 - 05.2017

Lecturer

Of Wildlife, Resources, Makerere University
09.2009 - Current

Projects Team Lead

RUFFORD Foundation
08.2009 - 08.2010

Ecosystem Biologist/Veterinarian

Bioforosk, Norwegian Institute
05.2007 - 12.2008

Project Team Lead

Rufford Foundation
08.2006 - 08.2008

Intern

Center For Ecology And Hydrology
03.2006 - 04.2006

Director

Integrated Rural Community Development Initiative
02.2005 - 03.2007

Director

Integrated Rural Community Development Initiative, IRUCODI
02.2005 - 03.2007

Co-tutor Professor

John E Cooper
01.2005 - 02.2005

Master of Science - Wildlife Health And Management-Epidemiology

Makerere University
07.2004 - 07.2007

Field Veterinarian

VAST (Uganda) Livestock Consultants LTD
02.2003 - 02.2004

Bachelor - Veterinary Medicine

Makerere University
07.1997 - 07.2002

University of Twente

Michigan State University

Research Management

Makerere University

No Degree - GIS-Intro

Gjøvik University College

No Degree - Avian Health

Institute For Animal Health

No Degree - Disease Risk Modeling

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

No Degree - Open Distance And E-learning

Makerere University

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Celsus SenteWildlife Veterinarian and Lecturer