Congratulations to Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio from the Sydney School of Veterinary Science who is the 2025 recipient of the prestigious Kesteven Medal, a joint award of the Australian Veterinary Association and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists.
The Kesteven Medal is awarded to an Australian veterinarian in recognition of distinguished contribution to international veterinary science through the provision of technical and scientific assistance to low and middle-income countries.
Professor Toribio was recognised for her transformative work building epidemiology capacity and strengthening veterinary leadership across Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Her commitment to veterinary education, curriculum development and continuous mentorship has empowered veterinarians across the Asia-Pacific region to deepen their understanding of animal disease epidemiology.
“I am extremely honoured to receive this prestigious medal inaugurated by Dr Kesteven, an extraordinary Australian veterinarian who worked at the global level to control and eradicate animal disease,” Professor Toribio said.
“To follow in the footsteps of past medal winners such as Robyn Alders, Peter Windsor and John Edwards is humbling.”
Building capacity through leadership programs
At the heart of Professor Toribio’s career is a drive to empower local veterinary professionals. Between 2014 and 2018 she co-designed and coordinated the Indonesian Veterinary Leadership (IVL) program, training 150 government veterinarians in strategic leadership for teams and organisations. Endorsed by both the Indonesian government and its veterinary profession, IVL continues today as a sustainable in-country initiative.
On invitation from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Professor Toribio also contributed to surveillance training across Pacific island nations. She led an online upskilling program for Fiji National University graduates, ensuring new veterinarians were ready to join island veterinary services.
“The success of international Master’s and PhD graduates under my supervision shows how targeted capacity building can spark long-term impact,” she noted. “These alumni are now leaders in academia and government across their home countries.”
A career shaped by smallholder livestock systems research
Alongside capacity building, Professor Toribio’s applied epidemiological research has informed transboundary animal disease risks in smallholder livestock systems.
“My work focuses on smallholder pigs, animals that families depend on for food and income and where women have more agency to make decisions about their care and use,” Professor Toribio said. “By strengthening surveillance and biosecurity where women make key livestock decisions, we can safeguard livelihoods and food security for entire communities.”
Her pioneering multidisciplinary studies on poultry and pigs in the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste documented illegal movements of pigs across land borders and poor disease control. These insights catalysed cross-border collaborations to curb classical swine fever across Timor island.
“SSEAC provided a forum for sharing experiences and lessons with other colleagues working in Timor-Leste,” she explained. “These insights into the local situation and its broad impact on government activities were helpful to better understand the challenges faced by our colleagues in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.”
Strengthening epidemiology through education
Building on these foundations, Professor Toribio is excited about working with the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE), a collaborative network spanning eight countries (Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam). Through APCOVE, she and regional partners are enhancing teaching skills for field epidemiology trainers and veterinary school instructors, ensuring that epidemiology education in the region keeps pace with emerging biosecurity challenges.
“We’re not just transferring technical know-how,” she said. “We’re fostering a community of practice where local experts adapt and lead solutions for their own countries and, importantly, contribute to securing human and animal health and food security in the Asia-Pacific through livestock economies.”
Looking ahead
In accepting the Kesteven Medal, Professor Toribio reflected on the collective effort behind her achievements.
“This award really belongs to the many talented and dedicated veterinarians who seize every chance to learn, teach and serve their communities,” she said. “Their passion drives the impact we can make together.”
Professor Toribio remains committed to securing human and animal health across the Asia-Pacific region – one trained veterinarian at a time.
Main image: Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio was presented with the Kesteven Medal at the 2025 Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Awards Gala Dinner in May. Photo: AVA