It started with a dream, to work in medicine, live close to nature and to be able to see the results of my own work. The local vet in Tonsberg, Norway spoke warmly of the veterinary profession in vocational guidance in high school and it seemed to be the right path. Veterinary studies were focused on studying the details of curing animals and understanding diseases. But questions such as: What can veterinary medicine contribute to animal and human health? How do you prevent animals from getting sick? Which risks are important and why? grew more important during my studies. Epidemiology, preventive medicine and food became subjects I was privileged to work with in depth as a trained veterinarian. Issues I have worked with range from zoonoses, mad cow disease, food safety and fish farming to the assessment and management of risks to public and animal health and welfare.
If you want to make the greatest possible impact and simultaneously use your entire education, the EU committees of experts is the right place to be. I have been there from 1997 and seen how the EU's work on food safety has become more evidence-based, and how infections such as salmonella have been brought under control.
