Global Camel Expert Dr. Christina Adams Receives Honorary Doctorate in Mongolia
International recognition for her work on camel research, husbandry and camel milk brings fresh attention to the importance of camels in science, nutrition and pastoral livelihoods.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | October 1, 2026
The global camel research community has another reason to celebrate. Dr. Christina Adams, an internationally recognised author, researcher and advocate for greater awareness of camels and camel milk, has been conferred an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Food Industry and Technology, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
The honorary doctorate, bearing diploma number 202601, was awarded following a resolution of the University’s Academic Council adopted on April 23, 2026. The formal ceremony took place on October 1, 2026, in Ulaanbaatar.
According to the diploma, the university recognised Dr. Adams for her contributions to promoting international knowledge of camel studies, camel husbandry and camel milk production and consumption through her research and writing. Her efforts to encourage academic collaboration, donate professional publications to the university library and contribute to institutional development were also acknowledged.
As Editor-in-Chief of Pashudhan Praharee, I extend my sincere congratulations to Dr. Christina Adams on this well-deserved recognition.
I believe this honour also provides an opportunity to draw greater attention to the importance of camel research and the people whose lives and livelihoods are closely connected with these remarkable animals.
Dr. Adams’s work has helped bring the subject of camels to a wider international audience. Through her books, research-related activities and public engagement, she has encouraged discussions about camel milk, traditional pastoral knowledge and the relationship between livestock, human communities and the environment.
Her journey is particularly interesting because her work grew out of a personal experience. In searching for camel milk for her son, who has autism, she travelled across different communities, including Bedouin camps in the Middle East, Amish farms in Pennsylvania and camel-rearing communities in India. That experience led her to explore the subject more deeply and share her findings and observations with a wider audience.
She is the author of Camel Crazy: A Quest for Miracles in the Mysterious World of Camels, published in Mongolian as Camel Magic, and A Real Boy. Her book Camel Crazy received the Nautilus Book Award and helped introduce many readers to the close relationship between camels and the communities that depend on them.
Her work has also brought attention to scientific interest in camel milk and its nutritional properties. Research into its possible health applications continues to develop, and claims concerning particular diseases must be assessed through reliable clinical evidence. Nevertheless, the subject deserves serious scientific investigation, especially in relation to nutritional composition, food safety, processing and potential applications.
Why This Recognition Matters to India
For India, this recognition has a special relevance.Camels have long been part of India’s pastoral heritage, particularly in Rajasthan and other arid and semi-arid regions. They support traditional livelihoods and are valued for their ability to survive in challenging environmental conditions.
However, camel-rearing communities face several difficulties, including shrinking grazing resources, changing land-use patterns and limited market opportunities. Sustaining camel husbandry therefore requires a combination of scientific research, veterinary support, conservation measures and better economic opportunities for pastoral families.
I feel that India has considerable scope to strengthen research and cooperation in this field. Veterinary universities, animal husbandry departments, food technology institutions and livestock organisations could work together to improve camel health and welfare, study camel milk scientifically, promote responsible value addition and document the traditional knowledge of camel-rearing communities.
International recognition such as this can help encourage such discussions and create opportunities for cooperation between researchers and institutions in India, Mongolia and other camel-rearing countries.
Mongolia is an especially appropriate setting for this honour because of its rich pastoral traditions and the importance of the Bactrian camel in its livestock heritage. The recognition of Dr. Adams by a Mongolian university also highlights the value of preserving traditional knowledge while encouraging modern scientific research.
In my view, the future of camel husbandry will depend not only on research and technology but also on our ability to support the communities that have cared for these animals over generations. Their practical experience deserves to be documented, respected and considered alongside scientific evidence.
I once again congratulate Dr. Christina Adams on receiving this honorary doctorate. Her work has helped bring greater international visibility to camels and the people associated with them. I hope this recognition will encourage further research, academic collaboration and meaningful initiatives for the benefit of camel-rearing communities.
On behalf of Pashudhan Praharee, I extend my best wishes to Dr. Christina Adams for continued success in her work and future contributions to camel science, pastoral livelihoods and international knowledge-sharing.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh
(Editor-in-Chief)
Pashudhan Praharee |
Website:www.pashudhanpraharee.com
Email: pashudhanpraharee@gmail.com
Mobile: +91 94313 09542
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