A key milestone is the development of an interdisciplinary Master’s Programme in Environmental Protection and Biosecurity at Yerevan State University (YSU). Integrating expertise from the Departments of Zoology, Botany, and Ecology, the program equips students with the tools to address ecological threats, zoonotic disease transmission, and environmental policy. The curriculum emphasizes genomics, One Health approaches, and applied fieldwork. It has been externally evaluated by Dr. Gábor Mészáros (BOKU Vienna), aligns with European academic standards, and is currently under final review by the Armenian Ministry of Education for launch in 2025.
As part of its educational outreach, the all preparation was made for “One Health – Human-Wildlife Interaction” Summer School which held from 23 April to 2 May 2025. Approved by YSU leadership, this fully prepared program will engage students in interactive fieldwork, expert lectures, and policy discussions focused on zoonotic diseases, wildlife conservation, and sustainable conflict mitigation.
In the realm of academic mobility, Iuliia Nosulia, a veterinarian and early-career researcher, was awarded second PhD scholarship at Vetmeduni Vienna. Supervised by Dr. Pamela Burger, she is investigating the role of golden jackals in the transmission of Leishmania spp. and Dirofilaria spp. as part of the One Health PhD program. Fieldwork in Armenia has already commenced.
Significant scientific findings include the dissection and parasite screening of 24 wild animals (23 golden jackals and 1 fox), revealing infections with Mesocestoides and Trichinella. Blood samples from 60 domestic dogs showed Dirofilaria infections in 13 individuals, highlighting health risks for livestock-guarding dogs. Samples from jackals (ticks, fleas, internal organs) are undergoing molecular analysis to evaluate broader zoonotic risks.
A reference genome for golden jackals is currently being assembled, along with a reduced SNP panel for affordable long-term monitoring. In parallel, Species Distribution Models (SDMs) are being developed using genomic and climate data to forecast future habitat shifts driven by climate change.
Project results have reached the international research community. Seda Adamyan (YSU) presented findings on Leishmania and Dirofilaria at EMOP 2024; her work was published in Annals of Parasitology. Additionally, the first molecular evidence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild birds from Armenia was published in Zoologia (2024).
Capacity-building efforts include training more than 15 Armenian researchers in R programming, genomic techniques, and parasite identification. Alumni Rouzanna Gevorgyan and Manan Asikyan completed advanced laboratory internships at MedUni Vienna.
Infrastructure has also been enhanced: a new wildlife dissection lab was established at the Scientific Center of Zoology and Hydroecology (SCZHE), and YSU has acquired a Real-Time PCR system to support research on zoonotic diseases.
The ArmBioClimate project continues to lay the groundwork for sustainable research and education in Armenia, advancing the country’s capacity to tackle biodiversity loss, zoonoses, and climate change.
