Wildlife and emerging diseases team

• Dr Robbie McDonald - Head of Wildlife and Emerging Diseases Programme
• Dr Richard Delahay - Wildlife Biologist
• Dr Graham Smith - Quantitative Ecologist
• Professor Mike Taylor - Veterinary Consultant
• Dr Gavin Wilson - Senior Scientist (Wildlife biology)
• Dr Steve Carter - Senior Scientist (Wildlife vaccines)
• Alexandra Tomlinson - Veterinary Officer
• Irene Zimmer - Veterinary Officer

Dr Robbie McDonald - Head of Wildlife and Emerging Diseases Programme |

I lead a team of 35 scientists providing sustainable solutions to wildlife and livestock disease problems. We focus on the role of wildlife in diseases of livestock and humans, and work on the development and validation of disease control measures, including vaccination and biosecurity and on long-term studies of ecological and epidemiological processes.

My role is in leading the strategic development and operations of the Programme, setting and realising research priorities, overseeing science quality and delivery and providing scientific advice to policy makers. I am also "head of station" at the Agency's site at Woodchester Park in Gloucestershire and acting head of Fera's Evidence and Analysis Programme.

My research interests are in mammalian ecology and wildlife management, particularly the biology of small carnivores, and have published >40 peer-reviewed articles. I have supervised 7 PhD students, and have secured >£5M in research funds. My PhD is in wildlife management and I have 18 years postgraduate experience of research in the field of wildlife biology, in the U.K. and overseas.

I am Vice-President of the International Federation of Mammalogists and until recently I was editor-in-chief of the journal Mammal Review. I am an Honorary Lecturer at Queen's University Belfast, Visiting Researcher at Newcastle University and am a member of the Technical Advisory Group of the TB Eradication Programme in Wales and a member of the Advisory Panel of BBC Wildlife Magazine.

Career

• 2009-present. Head of Wildlife & Emerging Diseases & Acting Head of Evidence & Analysis, Fera.
• 2008-09. Acting Head of Wildlife Ecology and Management, Central Science Laboratory.
• 2007-09. Head of Wildlife Disease Ecology, Central Science Laboratory.
• 2003-07. Manager of Quercus & Senior Research Fellow, Queen's University Belfast
• 2002-08. Editor in Chief, Mammal Review.
• 2002-03. Senior Scientist, Uplands Research Group, Game Conservancy Trust
• 2000-01. Royal Society Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Waikato, New Zealand
• 1999-00. Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Bristol
• 1995-98. Wingate Scholar, PhD on wildlife management, University of Bristol
• 1994-95. Postgraduate Research Assistant, University of Bristol
• 1993. Field Assistant, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford
• 1991-1992. Fulbright Scholar & Bobby Jones Fellow. U.S. National Parks Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• 1991. BSc (Hons. 1st Class) Marine & Environmental Biology, University of St Andrews.

Recent publication highlights:

McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP, Smith GC, Cheeseman CL (2008) Perturbing implications of wildlife ecology for disease control. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23, 53-56. doi:10.1016/j.tree.2007.10.011.

Crawford K, McDonald RA, Bearhop S (2008) Applications of stable isotope techniques to the ecology of mammals. Mammal Review 38, 87-107. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2907.2008.00120.x

Robb G, McDonald RA, Chamberlain DE, Bearhop S (2008) Food for thought: Supplementary feeding as a driver of ecological change in avian bird populations. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 6, 476-484. doi:10.1890/060152.

Martinkova N, McDonald RA, Searle JB (2007) Stoats (Mustela erminea) provide evidence of natural overland colonisation of Ireland. Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B 274, 1387-1393. doi: 10.1098/rspb.2007.0334

Reid N, McDonald RA, Montgomery WI (2007) Mammals and agri-environment schemes: hare haven or pest paradise? Journal of Applied Ecology 44, 1200-1208. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2664.2007.01336.x

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Dr Richard "Dez" Delahay - Wildlife Biologist |

I am a senior scientist conducting work on the ecology, epidemiology and management of infectious diseases of wild mammals, and providing advice to government departments. I have responsibility for science delivery and quality across a range of projects related to the epidemiology and management of bovine TB in badgers.

My principal areas of current research interest include the epidemiology and control of bovine tuberculosis in wildlife and the demographic and behavioural impact of disease and management interventions on wildlife populations. I am also involved in research on badger energetics and the behaviour of urban badger populations.

I am on the board of the European Wildlife Disease Association, the editorial board of Mammal Review, a member of the IUCN Veterinary Specialist Group and am an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Liverpool.

Career

• 1997-present. Wildlife Biologist, Fera, Woodchester Park.
• 1995-97. Post-doctoral researcher on the helminth fauna of wildcats and the reproductive biology of sika deer. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory.
• 1991-95. PhD on the impact of threadworm infections in red grouse in the Scottish Highlands, University of Aberdeen.
• 1991. BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology, University of Plymouth.

Recent publication highlights:

Delahay, RJ, Smith GC, & Hutchings MR (2008). Management of Disease in Wild Mammals. Springer, Tokyo.

Carter SP, Delahay RJ, Smith GC, MacDonald DW, Riordan P, Etherington TR, Pimley ER, Walker NJ, Cheeseman CL (2007). Culling-induced social perturbation in Eurasian badgers Meles meles and the management of TB in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in applied ecology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 274, 2769-2777.

Delahay, RJ, Wilson G, Harris S. & Macdonald D. (2008). Badger Meles meles. In Mammals of the British Isles Handbook, 4th Edition. S. Harris & D.W. Yalden (eds) The Mammal Society. p425-436.

Delahay RJ, Smith GC, Barlow AM, Walker N, Harris A, Clifton-Hadley RS, Cheeseman, CL. (2007). Bovine tuberculosis infection in wild mammals in South West England: A survey of prevalence and a semi-quantitative assessment of the relative risks to cattle. Veterinary Journal 173, 287-301.

Vicente J, Delahay RJ, Walker N & Cheeseman CL (2007). Social organization and movement influence the incidence of bovine tuberculosis in an undisturbed high density badger Meles meles population. Journal of Animal Ecology 76, 348-360.

Woodroffe R, Donnelly CA, Jenkins HE, Johnston,WT, Cox DR, Bourne FJ, Cheeseman CL, Delahay RJ, et al. (2006). Culling and cattle controls influence tuberculosis risk for badgers. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 103, 14713-14717.

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Dr Graham Smith - Quantitative Ecologist |

I am a mammalogist specialising in computer modelling, statistical and risk analysis, as applied to the management of vertebrate populations and disease. My role is to lead analysis and modelling for wildlife disease issues.

My main research interests are in the management of mammalian wildlife disease, such as TB and rabies, and I have worked in this area for over 20 years. I work very closely with field and laboratory staff to delivery fully integrated advice on disease management strategies. I manage a range of research projects in this area, and contribute to other more general projects on wildlife management (e.g. population control, immunocontraception).

I have published >80 research papers and contributed to >15 book chapters.

I have been on the editorial board of Mammal Review since 1998, and have sat on the editorial board for the Journal of Applied Ecology. I have recently published a book on the management of disease in wild mammals. I sit on the Defra TB Vaccine Data Study Group which looks at the statistical analysis of the Badger Vaccine Study.

Career

• 2006-present. Quantitative Ecologist in Wildlife and Emerging Diseases, Fera.
• 2003-2004. Team Leader, Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Central Science Laboratory.
• 1998-2006. Principal Scientific Officer, Central Science Laboratory.
• 1990-1998. Senior Scientific Officer, Central Science Laboratory.
• 1989-1990. Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Bristol.
• 1985-1989. PhD, University of Bristol.
• 1981-1985 BSc (Hons.) Zoology, University of Aberdeen.

Recent publication highlights

• Delahay RJ, Smith GC & Hutchings MR: Eds (2009) Management of disease in wild mammals. Springer, Tokyo.
• Smith GC, Parrott D & Robertson PA (2008). Managing wildlife populations with uncertainty: cormorants Phalacrocorax carbo. Journal of Applied Ecology 45, 1675-1682.
• Smith GC, Thulke HH, Fooks AR, Artois M, Macdonald DW, Eisinger D & Selhorst T (2008). What is the future of rabies control in Europe? Developments in Biologicals 131, 283-289.
• Holland EP, Aegerter J, Dytham C & Smith GC (2007). Landscape as a model: the importance of geometry. PLoS Computational Biology 3, doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.0030200.
• Smith GC, Bennett R, Wilkinson D & Cooke R (2007). A cost-benefit analysis of culling badgers to control bovine tuberculosis. Veterinary Journal 173, 302310.
• Harris SL, Brookes SM, Jones G, Hutson, AM, Racey P, Aegerter J, Smith GC, McElhinney LM & Fooks AR (2006). European bat lyssaviruses: Distribution, prevalence and implications for conservation. Biological Conservation 131, 193-210.

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Professor Mike Taylor - Veterinary Consultant |

I am a veterinarian with a broad portfolio of research in parasitology and diseases of livestock and wildlife. I have more than 30 years experience in the field and am the author of a leading textbook in veterinary parasitology and 200 scientific articles.

At Fera, my role is to develop and expand new areas of veterinary research and surveillance and establish new and expanding collaborations with universities and research institutes. I provide authoritative consultancy to VLA and Defra on animal and zoonotic diseases. I have been co-ordinator of a number of multi-centre Defra, Home Office and Food Standards Agency research projects.

My particular research interests are in helminth control, anthelmintic resistance, ectoparasite infections, zoonotic protozoa and arthropod-borne diseases.

I am Honorary Professor at the University of Wales in Bangor, Visiting Professor of Veterinary Parasitology at the Royal Veterinary College, London and an Honorary Fellow of the University of Edinburgh. I am Editor in Chief, Veterinary Parasitology.

Career

• 2009-present Veterinary Consultant, Wildlife and Emerging Diseases Programme, Fera
• 2004-09 Head of Veterinary Surveillance, Central Science Laboratory
• 2003 Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Parasitology
• 2002-04 Head, VLA Veterinary Unit, based at Central Science Laboratory
• 1994-02 Head of Parasitology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency
• 1990-94 Senior Veterinary Research Officer in Parasitology, CVL
• 1990 Head of Parasitology, Pitman Moore
• 1989 PhD, University of London
• 1988-90 Senior Veterinary Research Officer in Parasitology, CVL
• 1984-88 Veterinary Research Officer in Parasitology, Central Veterinary Laboratory
• 1982-84 Veterinary Officer MAFF (SVS) Chichester
• 1976-82 Veterinary Surgeon in private practice
• 1976 BVMS, University of Glasgow & MRCVS

Recent publication highlights

Taylor MA, Coop RL, Wall RL. (2007) Veterinary Parasitology, 3rd edn. Wiley-Blackwell.

Zimmer IA, Fee SA, Spratt-Davison S, Hunter SJ, Boughtflower VD, Morgan CP, Hunt KR, Smith GC, Abernethy D, Howell M, Taylor MA (2009). Report of Trichinella spiralis in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Northern Ireland. Veterinary Parasitology 159, 300-303.

Pietzsch ME Mitchell R, Jameson LJ, Morgan C, Medlock JM, Collins D, Chamberlain JC, Gould EA, Hewson R, Taylor MA, Leach S (2008) Preliminary evaluation of exotic tick species and exotic pathogens imported on migratory birds into the British Isles, Veterinary Parasitology 155, 328-332.

Zimmer IA, Hunter SJ, Morgan CP, Hunt KR, Smith GC, Howell M, Taylor MA (2008). Detection and surveillance for animal trichinellosis in GB. Veterinary Parasitology 151, 233-241.

Medlock JM, Barrass I, Kerrod E, Taylor MA, Leach S (2007) Analysis of climatic predictions for extrinsic incubation of Dirofilaria in the United Kingdom. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 7, 4-14.

Abolins S, Thind B, Jackson V, Luke B, Moore D, Wall R, Taylor MA (2007) Control of the sheep scab mite Psoroptes ovis in vivo and in vitro using fungal pathogens. Veterinary Parasitology 148, 310-317.

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Dr Gavin Wilson - Senior Scientist (Wildlife biology) |

My role is to lead field and analytical projects on wildlife populations, assessing changes in populations and their impact on ecosystems. I provide evidence-based advice to government departments on the science of wildlife disease management.

My research interests are development and implementation of large-scale wildlife population monitoring schemes and understanding the impacts of badger management programs for bovine TB control on the wider ecosystem.

Career

• 2004-present. Senior Scientist, Fera, Woodchester Park.
• 1999-04. Ecologist, Central Science Laboratory.
• 1998-99. Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Bristol.
• 1994-98. PhD, Patterns of Population Change of the Badger in Britain, University of Bristol
• 1994-98. Research Assistant, University of Bristol.
• 1994 Environmental Consultant. Nicholas Pearson Associates, Bath.
• 1994 Assistant Scientific Officer, Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Banchory.
• 1992 M.Sc. Ecology, University of Wales, Bangor.
• 1991 B.Sc. (Hons) Zoology, University of Glasgow.
• 1990 Field Assistant, Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, University of Oxford.

Recent publication highlights

Trewby ID, Wilson GJ, Delahay RJ, Walker NJ, Young RP, Davison J, Cheeseman CL, Robertson PA, Gorman ML, McDonald RA (2008) Experimental evidence of competitive release in sympatric carnivores. Biology Letters 4, 170-172. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2007.0516.

Pope L, Butlin R, Wilson G, et al. 2007 Genetic evidence that culling increases badger movement: implications for the spread of bovine tuberculosis. Molecular Ecology 16, 4919-4929

Courtenay O, [...], Delahay RJ, Wilson GJ & Wellington EMH (2006). Is Mycobacterium bovis in the environment important for the persistence of bovine tuberculosis? Biology Letters, 2, 460-462.

Carpenter PJ, Pope LC, Greig C, Dawson DA, Rogers LM, Erven K, Wilson GJ, Delahay, RJ, Cheeseman CL, Burke T. (2005) Mating system of the Eurasian badger, Meles meles, in a high density population. Molecular Ecology, 14, 273-284.

Wilson, GJ, Frantz AC, Pope LC, Roper T, Burke T, Cheeseman CL & Delahay RJ (2003) Faecal DNA profiling to estimate badger numbers. Journal of Applied Ecology 40, 658-666.

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Dr Steve Carter - Senior Scientist (Wildlife vaccines) |

My role is to lead research into the field deployment of wildlife vaccines. I am currently managing two Defra-funded vaccine research projects, one investigating the safety and efficacy of parenteral delivery of BCG vaccine to wild badgers and another evaluating the optimum strategy for delivery of an oral vaccine bait to badgers. I am supervising a PhD. studentship investigating the implications of social networks in badgers on disease transmission and I regularly provide evidence-based advice to government departments on wildlife disease management, particularly with respect to badgers and bovine TB.

My specific research interests are in the development and deployment of wildlife vaccines, implications of socio-biology for disease and animal ecology.

I am a council member of The Mammal Society and organise their annual conference.

Career

2009-present. Senior Scientist. Wildlife and Emerging Diseases Programme. Fera, Woodchester Park.

2004-2009. Ecologist. Wildlife Disease Ecology Team. Central Science Laboratory.

2002-2004. Postdoctoral Researcher. Mammal Ecology Research Group. Royal Holloway University of London.

1998-2002. PhD. Habitat refuges and the management of predators for conservation. Royal Holloway University of London.

1994-1998. BSc. (Hons.), Zoology. Royal Holloway University of London.

Recent publication highlights

Carter SP, Roy SS, Cowan DP, Massei G, Smith GC, Ji W, Rossi S, Woodroffe R, Wilson GJ, Delahay RJ (2009). Options for the control of disease II: Targeting hosts pp. 121-146. In Delahay RJ, Smith, GC, Hutchings, MR Management of disease in wild mammals. Springer, Tokyo.

McDonald RA, Delahay RJ, Carter SP, Smith GC & Cheeseman CL (2008). Perturbing implications of wildlife ecology for disease control. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23, 53-56.

Carter SP, Delahay RJ, Smith GC, MacDonald DW, Riordan P, Etherington TR, Pimley ER, Walker NJ, Cheeseman CL (2007). Culling-induced social perturbation in Eurasian badgers Meles meles and the management of TB in cattle: an analysis of a critical problem in applied ecology. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 274, 2769-2777.

Delahay RJ, Carter SP, Forrester GJ, Mitchell A, Cheeseman CL (2006). Habitat correlates of group size, bodyweight and reproductive performance in a high-density Eurasian badger (Meles meles) population. Journal of Zoology 270, 437-447.

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Alexandra Tomlinson - Veterinary Officer |

I provide veterinary support and advice across the Programme, with specific responsibilities for the health and welfare of wild animals associated with our field studies.

My research interests focus on the ecology of wildlife diseases and their impact on wildlife populations, domestic animals and humans.

I am working towards a PhD at the University of Liverpool on correlates of infection with Mycobacterium bovis in individual badgers.

Career

• 2006-present Veterinary Officer, Fera, Woodchester Park
• 2005-06 Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, Cornwall
• 2005 MSc (Distinction) in Wild Animal Health, RVC/IoZ
• 2001-05 Senior Lecturer, University of West of England
• 1992-01 Veterinary practitioner & Veterinary Officer for Animal Health
• 1992 MRCVS, MA, VetMB, University of Cambridge

Recent publication highlights

Simpson VR, Tomlinson AJ, Molenaar FM (2008) The prevalence, distribution and pathological significance of the bile fluke Pseudamphistomum truncatum in Eurasian otters (Lutra lutra) in Great Britain. Veterinary Record, in press.

Morgan ER, Tomlinson A, Hunter S, Nichols T, Roberts E, Fox MT, Taylor MA (2007) Angiostrongylus vasorum and Eucoleus aerophilus in foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Great Britain. Veterinary Parasitology 154 48-57.

Tomlinson AJ, Simpson VR (2006) Bile fluke in otters and mink. Veterinary Record 158, 69.

Tomlinson AJ, Taylor MA, Roberts E (2006) Angiostrongylus vasorum in canids. Veterinary Record 159, 60.

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Dr Irene Zimmer - Veterinary Officer |

I carry out veterinary research and surveillance on animal diseases, particularly zoonoses and those affecting native wildlife species.

My research interests are in food hygiene and public health, laboratory diagnostics and wildlife diseases. I am project manager for our recent work on Trichinella surveillance in the United Kingdom.

Career

• 2005-present Veterinary Officer, Fera
• 2004-05 Analytical Chemist, Central Science Laboratory
• 2000-03 Research Assistant,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Munich (LMU), Germany
• 1992-94 Chemical Technical Assistant, New York University Medical Centre, USA

Recent publication highlights

Zimmer IA, Fee SA, Spratt-Davison S, Hunter SJ, Boughtflower VD, Morgan CP, Hunt KR, Smith GC, Abernethy D, Howell M, Taylor MA (2009). Report of Trichinella spiralis in a red fox (Vulpes vulpes) in Northern Ireland. Veterinary Parasitology 159, 300-303.

Zimmer IA, Hunter SJ, Morgan CP, Hunt KR, Smith GC, Howell M, Taylor MA (2008). Detection and surveillance for animal trichinellosis in GB. Veterinary Parasitology 151, 233-241.

Zimmer I, Usleber E, Klaffke H, Weber R, Majerus P, Otteneder H, Gareis M, Dietrich R, Märtlbauer E. (2008). Fumonisin intake of the German consumer. Mycotoxin Research 24, 40-52.

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