51³Ô¹ÏÍø

My research interests are in the area of developing novel diagnostics for mycobacterial infections primarily tuberculosis in people and cattle, as well as Johne’s disease. The technology I have developed uses bacteriophages to target mycobacteria, resulting in detection within hours compared to the several weeks it takes to culture. Using these methods I hope to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiology of mycobacterial infections, as well as providing an alternative tool for detection. I also have an interest in the role of badgers in the spread of TB – as part of a Defra funded project.  I am currently funded by a BloomsburySET (Research England) research fellowship.

Anette is particularly interested in staphylococcal skin infection, antibiotic resistance and food hypersensitivity. Anette is also interested in the therapeutic options and management of MRSA and MRSP infections in companion animals and infection control in small animal practice. As well as supervising small animal dermatology cases, Anette is involved with equine referral cases.

Ross has a particular interest in microbial infections of the skin, whether caused by bacteria or fungi, and their role in the exacerbation of pruritic and allergic skin diseases, and in otitis externa and media. 

My research interests are in the area of the genetic basis of virulence and host preference in members of the MTBC. I am particularly interested in the transcriptional regulation of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance determinants in Mycobacterial species. I have worked for over 20 years with pathogenic Mycobacteria and my current group are funded by the BBSRC, DEFRA and the International Veterinary Vaccinology Network.

Javier conducts applied research on a range of topics across the animal and human health spectrum, mostly focusing on zoonotic diseases and food safety. His work combines epidemiological studies in livestock and human populations and analysis of animal and public health surveillance data. Javier is involved in research in the UK, India, Rwanda, Jordan, Peru and Bolivia

Kurt’s teaching and research encompasses veterinary public health. His interests lie in the long-term sustainable utilisation of animals and their products, and how a One Health approach can achieve this goal. His research focuses on animal welfare at slaughter, antimicrobial usage as well as trade and food safety.

His research focus is companion animal epidemiology and he co-leads the VetCompass Programme that collects de-identified clinical data from over 1800 veteinary practices across the UK. 

PhD: VetCompass eClinical Trials (VETs). Funded by Dogs Trust, this study aims to develop innovative statistical approaches to veterinary electronic patient records to evaluate the effectiveness of clinical interventions in dogs.

PhD: Re-Inventing Diagnosis and Management of Canine Hyperadrenocorticism. Funded by Dechra Veterinary Products, this project aims to evaluate the survival characteristics of dogs with hyperadrenocorticism, to identify novel technology methods to apply to VetCompass-derived clinical data to aid the diagnosis of hyperadrenocorticism and to develop and validate novel tools to assist the monitoring of treatment for hyperadrenocorticism.  

PhD: Antimicrobial usage in farm animal veterinary practice in the UK: A mixed-methods approach. This study aims to estimate current AM usage in Farm Veterinary Practice and investigate the intrinsic factors and extrinsic factors associated with farm veterinarian decision-making when prescribing antimicrobials as well as exploring the drivers behind farmers' decision when using antimicrobials.

PhD: Hot Dogs – investigating the epidemiology of canine heatstroke presenting to UK primary care veterinary practices. Funded by Dogs Trust, this study aims to report the incidence and risk factors associated of canine heatstroke cases presenting to primary care veterinary practices in the United Kingdom, and to identify the predominant underlying cause of canine heatstroke in the United Kingdom (exertional versus environmental heatstroke).

PhD: Canine leptospirosis: Improving diagnostics and understanding of the epidemiology of disease in UK dogs. This project aims to improve the diagnostics of Leptospirosis in canids through novel bacterial outer membrane targets and to utilise VetCompass™ data to characterise aspects of the epidemiology of Leptospirosis disease and vaccine trends in dogs attending UK practices.

Evidence-based prioritisation of disorders within dog breeds. Funded by the Kennel Club Charitable Trust and Agria Pet Insurance, this study aims to build on collaboration between the Kennel Club and the RVC to expand the evidence base for breed related conditions and identify breed health related priorities.

RVC Pandemic Puppies Survey. Funded by the BVA Animal Welfare Foundation, this study aims to investigate how, why and by whom puppies were purchased during the COVID pandemic in the UK and compare this with puppies purchased in 2019.

Dr Richard Booth qualified from the University of Bristol with a degree in Veterinary Science in 2005 having also completed an intercalated BSc in Veterinary Pathology at The 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. He then went on to study for a PhD at the RVC entitled “Bovine Virus Diarrhoea Virus - A Longitudinal Farm Study Of The Health Profiles And Molecular Epidemiology Associated With Viral Control”.

Ludovic is interested in anaesthesia, pain management and clinical pharmacology. His research focus is on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling. 

Andrew’s research focuses on the investigation of antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial efficacy, and dose optimisation using a combined microbiological and pharmacometrics approach.

To optimise antimicrobial drug (AMD) use, a comprehensive understanding of the pharmacodynamic (bacteriostatic/bactericidal) effect for each bacteria-drug combination is required. This can be evaluated in vitro through the determination of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and mutant prevention concentration (MPC) and using static and dynamic growth/kill assays. Resistance can be determined through molecular screening and minimal selective concentrations (MSC) explored. Pharmacokinetics is evaluated in vivo (or from literature) and emulated using the hollow-fibre infection model. Advanced PK/PD modelling allows for complex understanding of dosing and prediction of target attainment.