Professor Carla Maia Wins 2026 WSAVA One Health Award
Veterinarian Carla Maia won the 2026 WSAVA Global One Health Award for her work on vector-borne diseases and integrating pet care into the One Health framework.
Professor Carla Maia of Portugal has been named the recipient of the 2026 WSAVA Global One Health Award. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) is honoring her for advancing the One Health approach and emphasizing the critical role of companion animals in the well-being of animals, people, and the environment.
Maia is a veterinarian and Principal Researcher at the Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine at NOVA University Lisbon. Her career has focused on parasitology and vector-borne diseases, with internationally recognized research into Leishmania and sand flies. Her work spans epidemiology, diagnosis, and disease transmission. More recently, her research has expanded to include phleboviruses and other tick- and mosquito-borne agents important to both animal and human medicine.
A Focus on Climate and Disease
A central theme of Maia's research is understanding how climate and environmental changes influence vector-borne diseases across species. As a Principal Investigator, she is involved in major European research initiatives like PLANET4HEALTH and ISMED-CLIM. This work builds on her earlier leadership of the CLIMOS project. Through these efforts, she has helped ensure companion animals are recognized as a vital part of the One Health agenda. This includes their roles in zoonotic disease transmission and as sentinels for environmental and climatic shifts.
Bridging Research and Practice
Professor Maia's contribution extends beyond the laboratory. Throughout her career, she has brought together veterinarians, scientists, and public health professionals. She has helped translate scientific evidence into practical knowledge for veterinary practice. She has also made significant contributions to education and mentorship, supporting the next generation of One Health professionals.
Professor Manuel Magalhães-Sant'Ana, a Professor of Animal Welfare and Veterinary Ethics at the University of Lisbon, praised Maia's work. He said she combines scientific excellence with an exceptional capacity to build bridges between research, public health, and veterinary policy. He also highlighted her ability to ensure that companion animals and veterinary expertise are fully integrated into discussions on climate change, vector-borne diseases, and environmental well-being.
The Portuguese Association of Small Animal Veterinarians (APMVEAC) noted the practical impact of her work. The association stated she has consistently helped bring emerging evidence on vector-borne zoonoses out of the laboratory and into the consulting room. This enables companion animal clinicians to recognize, prevent, and manage these diseases with greater confidence.
Recognition and Reflection
Commenting on the award, Professor Maia expressed her gratitude. She said she feels deeply honored to receive the 2026 WSAVA Global One Health Award and sincerely thanks the selection committee for this recognition. She noted it has been a great pleasure and privilege to work in the field of vector-borne diseases throughout her career.
She sees the award as a recognition of her work and a tribute to her colleagues, students, collaborators, partners, pet owners, and funding organizations. Her career demonstrates what One Health can achieve when scientific excellence is combined with collaboration and a commitment to turning knowledge into action. By connecting animal, human, and environmental well-being, her work strengthens both veterinary medicine and the global One Health community.
