A quantitative and qualitative risk assessment of pig-related parasitic zoonoses in Burundi
PhD candidate: Minani, Salvator
Curriculum
Salvator Minani was born on October 1st, 1987, in Mugano, Burundi. After completing his secondary school as a veterinary technician, he joined the University of Burundi and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences in 2015. In October 2016, he started working at the University of Burundi as an assistant lecturer in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences. In 2019, he continued his Master’s studies in Tropical Animal Health (MSTAH) at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium and obtained a Master's degree (MSTAH) in November 2020. From June to December 2021, he completed a predoctoral training programme at ITM in the Unit of Veterinary Helminthology under the supervision of Dr. Chiara and Prof. dr. Sarah from Ghent University. During this predoctoral programme, his PhD proposal was selected for funding, and he was awarded a DGD Sandwich PhD scholarship from ITM. Since January 2022, he has been conducting PhD research at the Laboratory of Foodborne Parasitic Zoonoses, led by Prof. dr. Sarah (UGent), at the Eco-epidemiology unit at ITM (Antwerp) under the supervision of Dr. Chiara and Prof. dr. Katja and the University of Burundi under the supervision of Prof. Anastasie and Dr. Jean Bosco. During his PhD, Salvator published five papers in international peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at several (inter)national scientific conferences.
Supervisors: Prof. dr. Sarah Gabriël, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UGent - Dr. Chiara Trevisan, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp - Prof. dr. Katja Polman, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp - Prof. Anastasie Gasogo, University of Burundi, Burundi - Dr. Jean Bosco Ntirandekura, University of Burundi, Burundi
Taenia solium and Toxoplasma gondii are important foodborne zoonotic parasites with public health and veterinary significance. In Burundi, pig farming and the demand for pork have been increasing in recent years. No studies were conducted on the pork value chain (PVC) from farm to fork or on the sanitary risks associated with pig farming, slaughtering, pork preparation, and consumption, or the burden associated with T. solium and T. gondii parasites. Four chapters were developed to achieve the specific objectives of the thesis.
Date: Thursday 11 December 2025, 17:00
Location: Auditorium D, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke
If you would like to attend, please register before December 1st, by email to Salvator.Minani@UGent.be