Image courtesy K-State

Growing up on a remote ranch in New Mexico, Megin Nichols learned early that the health of animals, humans, and the environment are closely connected. That understanding shaped her career in veterinary medicine and public health and formed the focus of her presentation during the 2025 Henry C. Gardiner Global Food Systems Lecture Series at Kansas State University.

Nichols, a veterinarian and public health leader, specializes in One Health, which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, plant, and environmental health. Her lecture traced her path from ranch life to veterinary school, where she discovered that veterinarians could impact public health. She earned a master’s in public health, focusing on food safety and biosecurity, and has since worked at local, state, and federal levels investigating outbreaks, improving agricultural literacy, and addressing antimicrobial resistance.

Nichols highlighted how gaps in understanding agriculture affect public responses to outbreaks and supply chain disruptions. She stressed the importance of data-driven decisions, cross-sector collaboration, and proactive communication to protect animal welfare, public health, and the nation’s food system.