Livestock Diseases

My research interests include:

With a background in behavioural and evolutionary ecology, Lucy is an animal ecologist with an interest in multi-trophic and multi-ecosystem interactions. She currently focuses on three contrasting systems to address questions about connectivity and cascading effects through ecosystems:

Tom's major interests are in mucosal immunology, specifically host-pathogen interactions at mucosal surfaces, and how these may inform future disease control strategies. In addition to exploring basic immunological questions in ruminant species, his work is also involved in the development of vaccines to control veterinary pathogens residing at mucosal surfaces, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7 in cattle and Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep. He also has an interest in the immune basis of disease resistance and susceptibility in ruminant species. 

Eleanor is a researcher at the Moredun Research Institute. Her research focusses on Campylobacter species and other zoonotic pathogens.

Current interests:

• Quantitative mass spectrometry to characterise bacterial adaptation. 
• Identification of zoonotic pathogens using MALDI mass spectrometry.
• Campylobacter jejuni metabolic versatility in relation to host colonisation and disease outcome.
• Presence and transmission of zoonotic pathogens and AMR genes within wildlife populations.

Clare is a researcher at the Moredun Institute. Her current interests inlcude:

Mike is a Professor of Livestock Informatics and Team Leader for Animal Breeding & Genomics at SRUC. His main research area of interest is dairy cattle breeding and identification of appropriate selection goals that meet as many stakeholders requirements as possible. The number of traits incorporated into the selection goal for all species is increasing which brings challenges when traits have unfavourable correlations. Of particular note is the mobilization of body energy by dairy cows - some is desirable since it adds to efficiency in both economic and environmental terms.

Glenn is Head of Research at BioSS and the theme leader for process and systems modelling. In his role as head of research aims to foster a creative research environmnet deepening interactions with the biological sciences whilst strengthening links with the colleagues in areas such as mathematics, statistics and informatics. Glenn's individual research aims to understand the emergent properties of key biological systems using dynamic process-based models.

Fiona is a researcher at the Moredun Research Institute, who specialises in the sustainable control of roundworm parasites in livestock. She is focused on 4 main topics, such as the optimisation of wormer use by targeting wormer to only those animals who will benefit (targeted selective treatments, TST), the impact of regenerative grazing approaches on animal health and welfare, impacts of disease in young female lambs on their future productivity and the use of technology to act as an early warning system for welfare issues or disease.

Eileen is a livestock genetics and systems researcher within the Animal & Veterinary Sciences Groups at SRUC, with experience in animal breeding, genetics, modelling and biostatistics. For SEFARI, Eileen is the Work Package Cordinator for Agricultural systems and land management; working on improving livestock management and genetics.