From Trainee to Mentor: An APCOVE Impact Story
Tell us a bit about yourself
I am Ardi Budi Prakoso (Ardi), and I am incredibly grateful to be an APCOVE alumnus from Cohort 1 (2022-23). My veterinary journey began with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from Universitas Airlangga in 2016. Recently, I returned home to Indonesia equipped with a Master of Science in Animal Science from Aberystwyth University in the UK (2024–25), a milestone made possible by the Chevening Scholarship, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
In my current role as a junior expert veterinary officer and authorised veterinarian for the Food and Agriculture Department, Pangkal Pinang City Government, my day-to-day work focuses heavily on infectious disease control in livestock, companion animals, and wildlife to safeguard public health using the One Health framework. My greatest professional passions lie at the intersection of veterinary epidemiology and antimicrobial stewardship. Ultimately, my ongoing goal is to contribute to meaningful research that addresses antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock and combats infectious diseases like Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD).
What was the most important thing you learned from the APCOVE Field Epidemiology Training?
The most valuable takeaway from the APCOVE programme was learning how to bridge the gap between technical epidemiological research and actionable policy implementation. While the training provided me with a comprehensive foundation across 36 modules, encompassing critical competencies like outbreak investigation, surveillance, data analysis, and risk assessment, it fundamentally shifted my perspective on how data should be used collaboratively.
Conducting my APCOVE field project on the clinical investigation and risk factors of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Pangkal Pinang City was a pivotal learning experience. I was truly humbled when this research was accepted for a poster presentation at the 17th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics (ISVEE17) in Sydney, 2024. It taught me that meticulous data collection is only half the battle. The true challenge is coordinating with diverse stakeholders and translating those findings into proactive, evidence-based strategies that local policymakers can realistically use for disease control and eradication programmes.
How have you applied or used these skills in your work?
The skills I acquired have deeply enriched both my academic pursuits and my daily veterinary duties. Academically, the APCOVE modules, particularly those focusing on AMR, were instrumental during my MSc studies in the UK. They provided a strong foundation for my research on antibiotic decision-making for BRD, which I am honoured to share has recently been published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Nowadays, I am grateful for the opportunity to give back through capacity building as an official APCOVE mentor. I work closely with junior colleagues, such as my mentee Nurul Ilma, guiding her on a Brucellosis surveillance project in Depok. We focus on implementing sampling designs that balance strict epidemiological precision with practical field feasibility while regularly consulting with senior experts and Australian mentors to elevate the quality of our local research.
Professionally, rather than working in silos, I collaborate with a dedicated team at my workplace to apply APCOVE’s principles. I lead my team to design robust questionnaires, develop vaccine SOPs, and manage current outbreaks, like Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and FMD. The success of our FMD clinical surveillance project was a collective milestone that also opened the door for me to participate in a one-month APCOVE Visiting Fellowship in Australia. Hosted by the Melbourne Veterinary School (The University of Melbourne) and the School of Veterinary Medicine (Murdoch University), I undertook this fellowship alongside fellow alumni Dr Isnaniah and Dr Budina, an experience that immensely expanded our collaborative networks. My training has also empowered me to support One Health initiatives. I actively coordinate with the local Health Department to tackle Rabies, while my colleague Dr Isnaniah focuses on Brucellosis. This cross-sectoral teamwork led to an invitation for us to jointly present our respective initiatives and APCOVE modules at the ASEAN-Australia One Health Fellowship workshop, hosted by the Murdoch University-Harry Butler Institute in Bali in 2023. Ultimately, these competencies allow our team to link grassroots epidemiological efforts to broader objectives like public health security.
What advice would you give to current APCOVE trainees?
First, cultivate relentless curiosity and critical thinking. View every module not just as a theoretical concept but as a practical tool to solve real-world animal health issues in your specific region alongside your colleagues.
Second, embrace challenges as opportunities to grow. In field epidemiology, you will often face resource limitations, but do not let this discourage you. Take the initiative to find creative, collaborative solutions that balance scientific rigour with practical field feasibility. Always aim to become a bridge between science and local policy, focusing on how your shared findings can impact broader goals like food security, sustainable supply chains, and public health.
Finally, lean heavily on the incredible APCOVE network. Connect with the experts, absorb their guidance, and once you have built your capacity, pay it forward by mentoring those who come after you. I am beyond grateful to the APCOVE team; my own fellowship was a life-changing stepping stone that broadened my horizons from Pangkal Pinang to Australia and ultimately helped me secure my master’s studies in the UK. Seize this opportunity, build your network, and aim to translate your data into actionable insights that drive meaningful change for your broader community.
