Characteristics and objectives

The Doctorate Course in Veterinary Sciences of the University of Sassari (UniSS) represents an advanced training program aimed at the preparation of highly qualified researchers in the field of veterinary sciences. The course promotes research activities that span a broad spectrum of scientific sectors, with the aim of developing innovative skills to address emerging challenges in the fields of animal health and welfare, food safety, public health and environmental sustainability , in full coherence with the paradigm OneHealth .

The approach OneHealth , which recognizes the interconnection between animal health, human health and ecosystem health, constitutes a transversal principle that guides the design, implementation and purpose of the PhD research activities. This integrated vision allows you to develop scientific and technological solutions capable of preventing, monitoring and managing biological and environmental risks with direct impacts on public health, ecological balance and the resilience of production systems.

The research activities are aimed at updating and improving clinical veterinary practice, anatomo-pathological, diagnostic and therapeutic protocols for infectious diseases and animal parasitosis, as well as the development of innovative techniques for animal production and the nutritional health of farmed and wild species. These lines of research assume a one Health value as they contribute:

• at the prevention and control of zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance, reducing the impact of infectious diseases on the human and animal population;
• al improving food safety along the entire supply chain, from primary production to consumption;
• at the protection of biodiversity and local production and to sustainable management of ecosystems , with direct benefits for the environment and collective health.

The main thematic areas of research include:

• physiology and biotechnology of animal reproduction;
• animal production (zootechnical sciences, nutrition, animal welfare);
• veterinary pathology, infectious diseases, parasitology and pathological anatomy;
• obstetric, surgical and internal medicine veterinary clinic;
• veterinary pharmacology and toxicology;
• safety, quality and valorisation of foods of animal origin.

All these areas are addressed in an integrated perspective that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration between veterinary medicine, biotechnology, environmental sciences, epidemiology and public health , thus strengthening the contribution of the Doctorate to the practical implementation of the One Health approach.

The Doctorate Course in Veterinary Sciences is organized in two curricula : Production, quality and food safety (Head Prof. Maria Grazia Cappai) e Reproduction, pathology, breeding and animal welfare (Head Prof. Raffaella Cocco).

Internationalization

The course promotes a strong international dimension through research periods abroad, co-tutoring agreements and agreements with foreign universities and research centres. This openness favors circulation of One Health research skills and practices globally, integrating veterinary, medical and environmental expertise and enhancing responsiveness to cross-border health challenges.

Consistency with the ESF+ PR 2021–2027

The ESF+ Regional Program 2021–2027 focuses on the green and digital transition, public health and sustainability. The Doctoral Course contributes to these goals through:

• the training of researchers capable of operating in contexts One Health-oriented , with expertise in animal health, food safety and environmental impact;
• the promotion of sustainable research and innovation to improve the resilience of agro-livestock and health systems;
• the adoption of digital and biotechnological technologies for integrated epidemiological surveillance and the management of emerging risks .

Alignment with the PNRR 2021–2027

The Doctorate is fully consistent with the areas of the PNRR relating to Health, nutrition, bioeconomy, natural resources and environment . The One Health approach allows us to systematically address the challenges related to:

• antimicrobial resistance, zoonoses, climate change and food safety ;
• digital technologies and biotechnologies for early diagnosis and prevention ;
• sustainable management of natural resources and production systems .

In this way, the Course contributes in a concrete way to achieving the innovation, sustainability and public health objectives of the PNRR.

Connection with the S3 Specialization Areas of the Sardinia Region

The Doctorate is fully placed in the regional S3 Specialization Areas, with a clear One Health projection:

• Health and Life Sciences , with a focus on veterinary medicine, prevention of infectious and zoonotic diseases;
• Agroindustry , through the valorization of safe and sustainable animal production;
• Clean technologies and environmental sustainability , through low-impact zootechnical practices and ecosystem protection;
• Biotechnology and deep tech , for the application of advanced methods of diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

The Doctoral Course trains researchers with a multidisciplinary preparation that integrates biological, veterinary and environmental sciences, promoting a systemic vision of health . 
Among the training objectives:

• understanding the biological mechanisms underlying animal welfare and human-animal-environment interaction;
• skills in epidemiology, microbiology and zoonoses for the prevention and control of emerging diseases;
• knowledge in pharmacology and toxicology oriented towards reducing the environmental impact of veterinary drugs;
• ability to integrate dimensions clinical, productive and environmental in decision making and scientific research.

Research Doctors trained with a One Health approach will be able to operate not only in academic and industrial fields, but also in public and private bodies involved in veterinary public health, food safety, environmental management, biomedical research and integrated health policy .

The Department of Veterinary Medicine has laboratories and infrastructure that allow for development translational and interdisciplinary research . The availability of databases, digital libraries and collaborations with health and environmental bodies guarantees an ideal environment for the training of capable researchers operate in a One Health scientific and application context .