One Health
Zoonosis
Institute of Zoology
Zoological Society of London
Regent's Park
London
NW1 4RY
Using One Health approaches to understand the impact of infectious disease spread in a changing climate.
Javier Sánchez Romano is a veterinary virologist with over a decade of international research experience at the intersection of wildlife, domestic animal, and human health. After earning his veterinary degree in Spain, he moved to the Arctic to complete both an MSc and a PhD in Infection Biology at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway.
Much of Javier’s work has focused on understanding how climate change affects the spread and dynamics of infectious diseases, particularly in reindeer populations. He has led and collaborated on projects across Europe and Africa, including capacity-building initiatives in Uganda and South Sudan, all grounded in a One Health approach that recognises the deep interconnections between environmental, animal, and human health.
Now based at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Javier integrates his strong interest in biodiversity and conservation into his research. He is committed to advancing the health and well-being of both people and wildlife through transdisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sharing. He is also passionate about teaching and public engagement and believes that research should lead to real-world impacts, both locally and globally.
At ZSL, Javier leads key health-related components within two major international projects: the first aims to enhance landscape resilience to zoonotic disease emergence through strengthened nature conservation systems in Central Asia, and the second is the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund (BLF) project in the Western Congo Basin. Both projects focus on biodiversity conservation by addressing critical links between wildlife, ecosystems, and human health. In Central Asia, the focus is on understanding how protected areas can reduce the risk of zoonotic disease emergence, while building local capacity for wildlife health surveillance. In the Congo Basin, the work centres on identifying health-related pressures in forest ecosystems and working with local communities to better understand and mitigate disease risks, all through a One Health lens.
Additionally, Javier is the organiser and course leader for the One Health in Northern Communities and Ecosystems PhD course at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
If you are interested in collaborating or conducting a research project (master's or doctoral) with Javier please get in touch.
Nymo, I.H., Bøe, C.A., Sánchez Romano, J., Lian, H., Thorvaldsen, R., Suhel, F., Boye, M., Øines, Ø., Folkow, L., Solvang, HA., Jinnerot, T., Wensman, J.J., Davidson, R.K., Mørk, T., Olsen, L., Tryland, M., Rockström, U., Spilsberg, B. In Press. First detection of a cervidpoxvirus in Europe - disease occurrence in semi-domesticated Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway and Sweden. Microbiol. Spectr.
Kulabako, C.T., Neema, S., Ninsiima, L.R., Klein, J., Nabawanuka, L.M., Muleme, J., Sánchez Romano, J., Atekyereza, P. 2025. Gender and Cultural Aspects of Brucellosis Transmission and Management in Nakasongola Cattle Corridor in Uganda. PloS One 20(4):e0320364; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320364
Marin, P.M., Tryland, M., Munyeme, M., Jubara, A.S., Matovu, E., Waiswa, P., Sánchez Romano, J., Mutebi, F., Onafruo, D., Kitale, E. and Sabbath, E., 2025. Elucidating the knowledge, attitude, and stigma associated with tuberculosis: a community based descriptive study in Wau and Jur River, South Sudan. JTMH, 53, 15; https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182025-00696-7
Josefsen, T.D., Mørk, T., Nymo, I.H., Sánchez Romano, J., Tryland, M. 2025. Prevalence and density of Elaphostrongylus rangiferi larvae in faecal samples of semi-domestic reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway 2013-16. Acta Vet Scand 67, 1:5; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028-025-00793-x
Ninsiima, L.R., Mor, S.M., Sánchez Romano, J., Namakula, L.N., Kankya, C., Kungu, J., Mugisha, L., Klein, J., Nyakarahuka, L. 2024. Perceived drivers of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Mubende and Kassanda districts, Uganda: a qualitative study. BMJ Public Health 2024;2:e001267; https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjph-2024-001267
Bhandari, S., Kyrrestad, I., Simón-Santamaría, J., Li, R., Szafranska, K.J., Dumitriu, G., Sánchez Romano, J., Smedsrød, B., Sørensen, K.K. 2024 Mouse liver sinusoidal endothelial cell responses to the glucocorticoid receptor agonist dexamethasone. Front. Pharmacol. 15:1377136; https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1377136
Marin, P.M., Munyeme, M., Kankya, C., Jubara, A.S., Matovu, E., Waiswa, P., Sánchez Romano, J.,Mutebi, F., Onafruo, D., Kitale, E., Benard, O., Buhler, K.J., Tryland, M. 2024. Medication nonadherence and associated factors in patients with tuberculosis in Wau, South Sudan: a cross- sectional study using the world health organization multidimensional adherence model. Arch Public Health 82, 107; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-024-01339-9
Ninsiima, L.R., Nyakarahuka, L., Kisaka, S., Atuheire, C.G.K., Mugisha, L., Odoch, T., Sánchez Romano, J., Klein, J., Mor, S.M., Kankya, C. 2024. Knowledge, perceptions, and exposure to bats in communities living around bat roosts in Bundibugyo district, Uganda: Implications for viral haemorrhagic fever prevention and control. BMC Infect Dis 24, 311; https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-024-09162-x
Sánchez Romano, J., Simón-Santamaria, J., McCourt, P., Smedsrød, B., Sagona, A., Sørensen, K.K., Larsen, A.K. 2023. Liver sinusoidal cells eliminate blood-borne phage K1F. mSphere e00702-23; https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00702-23 – Editor’s Pick
Lamsal, A., Tryland, M., Paulsen, K.M., Sánchez Romano, J., Nymo, I.H., Stiasny, K., Soleng, A., Vikse, R., Andreassen, Å. 2023. Serological screening for tick-borne encephalitis virus in eight Norwegian herds of semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus). Zoonoses Public Health 00, 1-7; https://doi.org/10.1111/zph.13060
Kyrrestad, I., Larsen, A.K., Sánchez Romano, J., Simón-Santamaria, J., Li, R., Sørensen, K.K. 2023. Infection of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells with Muromegalovirus muridbeta1 involves binding to neuropilin-1 and is dynamindependent. Front. Cell. Infect.Microbiol. 1249894; https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2023.1249894
Antwi, M.B., Dumitriu, G., Simón-Santamaria, J., Sánchez Romano, J., Li, R., Smedsrød, B., Vik, A., Eskild, W., Sørensen, K.K. 2023. Liver sinusoidal endothelial cells show reduced scavenger function and downregulation of Fc gamma receptor IIb, yet maintain a preserved fenestration in the Glmpgt/gt mouse model of slowly progressing liver fibrosis . PLOS ONE 18(11): e0293526; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0293526
Philippot, K.W., Baron, J., Sánchez Romano, J., Rautiainen, H., Frössling, J., Nymo, I.H., Persson, Y., Omazic, A., Tryland, M. 2023. Infectious keratoconjunctivitis in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) - a questionnaire based study among reindeer herders in Norway and Sweden. Acta Vet. Scand. 65, 34; https://doi.org/10.1186/s13028023-00694-x
Tryland, M., Sánchez Romano, J., Nymo, I.H., Mørk, T., Thorarinsdottir, R., Breines, E.M., Li, H., Cunha, C.W., Thórisson, S.G. 2023. A Screening for Virus Infections among Wild Eurasian Tundra Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Iceland, 2017–2019. Viruses 15(2), 317; https://doi.org/10.3390/v15020317
Davidson, R.K., Fæste, C.K., Uhlig, S., Tukun, F.-L., Lian, H., Solvang, H.A., Thorvaldsen, R., Folkow, L.P., Sánchez Romano, J., Kilvær, M., Holmgren, K.E., Nymo, I.H. 2023. Pharmacokinetics of a long-acting subcutaneous eprinomectin injection in semi-domesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) – A pilot study. Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 97, 104041; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.etap.2022.104041