2025 AVA Kesteven Medal: Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio

At the 2025 AVA Gala Dinner, Professor Jenny-Ann Toribio was honoured with the prestigious Kesteven Medal for her contributions to international veterinary science, particularly through her work supporting low- and middle-income countries.

The Kesteven Medal is awarded to Australian veterinarians who have made outstanding contributions to international veterinary science by providing technical and scientific assistance to developing countries.

“I am extremely honoured to be awarded this prestigious medal inaugurated by Dr Kesteven, an extraordinary Australian veterinarian who worked at the global level to achieve what we now call the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by facilitating rinderpest eradication and FMD control,” she said.

“It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of professional heroes and mentors – previous medal winners such as Robyn Alders, Peter Windsor and John Edwards.”

 ^{Prof Jenny-Ann Toribio with some of the 2025 AVA Award winners (L-R): Dr Arran Hersburgh, Dr Julia Crawford, Dr Alexander Rosenwax, Dr Stephen Page & Dr  Jack Egan}

Professor Toribio’s professional objective has been to advance human and animal health and food security in Australasia and the Pacific through applied epidemiological research and transformative education for veterinarians.

Her work overseas has focused on 2 main areas:

• Research on transboundary animal diseases (TAD) in smallholder livestock systems: Professor Toribio has led multidisciplinary research to improve biosecurity and surveillance in smallholder livestock systems, particularly in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Her research has highlighted the critical role of animals, especially poultry and pigs, which are often managed by women, in supporting food security and livelihoods. Notably, her work documenting disease control challenges in Timor Leste and Indonesia facilitated cross-border collaboration to address classical swine fever.
• Capacity building and strengthening veterinary education: Professor Toribio has played a pivotal role in training veterinarians and veterinary educators across the region, with a focus on epidemiology and leadership. She co-designed the Indonesian Veterinary Leadership program, which trained 150 government veterinarians and continues to be endorsed nationally. She has also contributed to surveillance training with FAO and WOAH and led upskilling programs for graduates in Pacific Island countries. Through the Asia-Pacific Consortium of Veterinary Epidemiology (APCOVE), she is now strengthening veterinary education across eight countries.

Her academic contributions include developing new epidemiology curricula for veterinary students and establishing the postgraduate Masters coursework program in Veterinary Public Health Management at the University of Sydney, where she served as Academic Supervisor for over a decade.

Receiving the Kesteven Medal, she credited the support of her family and the Sydney School of Veterinary Science, as well as the dedication of colleagues across the veterinary profession.

“Following my God-given passion to assist colleagues throughout Asia and the Pacific requires a lot of understanding from your family and employer. I’m fortunate to have the enduring support of my family and the Sydney School of Veterinary Science,” Professor Toribio said.

^{2025 AVA Gala Dinner}

“This award really reflects the commitment of the people who enter our profession, all kudos to the many talented and dedicated veterinarians that have taken every opportunity to learn and to use the new knowledge and skills to serve their community. It is a delight to assist & learn from such colleagues!”