Sept. 27, 2018
Dr. Herman Barkema: Dairy farms to the WHO’s anti-microbial fight
“Focus is overrated, it is way more fun and rewarding to do many different things,” says Dr. Herman Barkema. This is not surprising considering the diversity of Barkema’s research, from mouse models of disease to epidemiology, from human to animal health, and from cattle health on dairy farms to his eventual involvement in the development of the World Health Organization’s antimicrobial resistance (AMR) strategy, dealing with what is one of the most serious threats to global public health.
With a zeal for research and teaching, Barkema’s motivation is driven by the love of his work and the people around him. His passion for dairy farming and herd health ignited when he was 28 years old during a rotation at a dairy farm in Costa Rica during his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at Utrecht University. For two-and-a-half years, he was the manager of a cattle herd in in the Central American country where he learned how to ride a horse, speak Spanish, manage cattle and people, study animal health, and travel in Latin America. This experience sparked his interest in epidemiology and herd health, where his focus led him to study the transmission and prevention of infectious cattle diseases – Johne’s disease and mastitis – which plague dairy farms. Although his focus is on cattle, he keeps his pulse on the impact education has on people: “my research is for the farmers, with the farmers,” says Barkema.
Barkema’s research into infectious diseases in cattle, and the role of the host and bacteria, not only extends to antimicrobial resistance in cattle, it affects the water we drink, the safety of our food and contributes to antimicrobial resistance in humans. “So for me, it is not only about the health of the cows but also about the farmers and the farming families, the environment and the general public,” says Barkema.
His focus on antimicrobial resistance has led him to become an expert with an international reach, such as China where he disseminates his knowledge by educating graduate students and guiding their research.
Aside from his research and teaching, Barkema played not only a key role in the creation of the Veterinary Faculty, but also in the University of Calgary Biostatistics Centre (UCBC) at the O’Brien Institute for Public Health, which brings together researchers and students from various disciplines – from veterinary sciences to medicine, and from math to kinesiology – to work in biostatistics. Barkema’s motivation was to build a multi-disciplinary network of biostatisticians, cross-list graduate courses, and to create an organization where they can work together.
At the centre of everything Barkema leads, he ultimately keeps his focus on the people.
“For me everything is about the people. Teaching, educating and working with grad students, colleagues, giving lectures to farmers, working in other countries and cultures; my work is all about people,” Barkema states.
Tidbits from Herman Barkema
What does better health and healthcare mean to you?
“I think it is all about equity and accessibility. We need more knowledge to tackle the bottlenecks in the health care system. I think everybody should have access to good health care. Because I think health care in a country is as good as what the people that have the least accessibility, least economic status receive. We can and must do better.”
Favorite place in Alberta:
“There is a place for everything in life. I grew up with sailing tall ships and I loved the lifestyle on these traditional tall ships by the water, and here I am today, in Alberta and I am landlocked, and I still love it here. I love working at the University of Calgary, we often forget that we are privileged that we can work here, and I love being in Canada. I love the Rocky Mountains, my favorite is Kananaskis.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be:
Costa Rica. I just love the people and the nature.
Best piece of advice you've received:
“If an issue or problem crosses your path, you’d better have a good reason not to take it on.“
Herman Barkema: Professor, NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Infectious Diseases of Dairy Cattle, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Dept. of Production Animal Health; and Dept. of Community Health Sciences at the Cumming School of Medicine; Member of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health.
Further reading on anti-microbial resistance and WHO guidelines on antibiotic use in animals:
Herman Barkema
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