Bridging Health and Conservation: Kaisone’s One Health Fellowship Journey at WWF Laos

Hands-On Wildlife Market Surveys and Field Experience in Strengthening One Health in Laos

When Kaisone Chanda, a lecturer at the National University of Laos, joined the SEAOHUN 2025 Fellowship Program hosted by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Laos, she hoped to connect academic knowledge with practical field experience. What she discovered was far more transformative—a chance to see how the One Health approach plays out in local markets, communities, and conservation efforts.

From Classroom Learning to Field Experience

Before the fellowship, Kaisone’s exposure to One Health came mostly from teaching and small-scale research. She understood the theories but had limited experience with wildlife trade and zoonotic risk assessments. The WWF Laos placement opened new doors, allowing her to step directly into fieldwork and observe how human health, wildlife, and ecosystems intersect.

Learning in the Markets

Much of Kaisone’s fellowship centered on wildlife trade surveys in local markets and restaurants. Equipped with a digital survey tool in KoboToolbox with support in Excel, she collected and organized data on species being sold and traded. These surveys fed into a zoonotic risk assessment of the markets, which can be used to help inform policy and conservation strategies in Laos.

But the fellowship was not only about data. Speaking with market vendors and restaurant owners taught her how to communicate about sensitive topics with empathy and cultural awareness. “Building trust was essential,” she reflected. By listening carefully and explaining the purpose of her work, she found ways to connect across differences and create understanding.

Building Skills and Confidence

The fellowship sharpened Kaisone’s technical skills in wildlife trade monitoring, risk assessment, and digital data management. At the same time, she developed soft skills in communication, teamwork, and leadership. On one occasion, she coordinated a field survey independently, engaging local partners, navigating challenges, and ensuring smooth data collection. Experiences like this boosted her confidence to take initiative in professional settings.

Bringing Lessons Back to the Classroom

Now back at the National University of Laos, Kaisone is integrating her fellowship lessons into her teaching and research. She uses real-world examples from the markets to help students connect theory with practice. She also encourages collaboration between academia, government agencies, NGOs, and communities—demonstrating how One Health requires partnerships across sectors.

A Transformative Fellowship

For Kaisone, the SEAOHUN Fellowship was more than a professional opportunity—it was a turning point. Walking through busy markets, listening to vendors’ stories, and seeing firsthand the links between human activities and ecosystem health made the concept of One Health tangible and urgent.

“The experience changed how I view my role as a lecturer and researcher,” she shared. “I now feel equipped to contribute to both public health and conservation, and to inspire my students to do the same.”

Looking Ahead

The fellowship strengthened Kaisone’s technical capacity and expanded her career vision. With her new skills and perspective, she is well positioned to support One Health initiatives in Laos—whether through research, teaching, or policy engagement.

SEAOHUN and WWF Laos are proud to have supported her journey, and Kaisone’s story shows how investing in young professionals can strengthen the region’s One Health capacity for years to come.