Thanks for the interest in my homepage. I hope
that you’ve found it interesting and of assistance. Now for a little about
myself....
Background
My research interest is pathobiology of
crustaceans, and my research has centred on viral diseases of freshwater
crayfish and, to a lesser extent, shrimp/prawns. I have conducted research on
disease in freshwater crayfish since 1991 when I commenced postgraduate studies
with Dr Leigh Owens at James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. In 1996
I submitted my PhD thesis entitled “Viruses of Freshwater Crayfish”. Though the
thesis includes original descriptions of four viruses in freshwater crayfish, I
guess the title of it is somewhat of a misnomer as the thesis contains quite a
lot of information on other pathogens of freshwater crayfish. As I have been
based in Queensland for most of my career, much of my work has been on the
redclaw crayfish Cherax quadricarinatus and I have a passionate interest
in the development of the industry in Australia and elsewhere.
From 1996 to 1998 I worked at the Queensland
Department of Primary Industries with Dr Ian Anderson on Midcrop Mortality
Syndrome (MCMS) of shrimp. This syndrome has caused major losses in shrimp
aquaculture in Australia. The two viruses spawner isolated mortality virus
(SMV) and gill associated virus (GAV) have been associated with MCMS.
In 1998 I commenced work with the Australian
Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) working in import risk analysis and
developing policies on the importation of aquatic animals into Australia. This
is a very interesting and topical area because: 1. development of biosecurity
policy is extremely important as it is required to aid in the protection of
health of animal, plant and human health for maintenance of industries, the
environment and our own health, and 2. because it is a direct consequence of
globalisation which, of course, is topical and often involved dealing with
quite polarised views of stakeholders.
In early 2001 I was awarded a Research
Fellowship from the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique to continue my
research on crustacean viruses in Montpellier, France. During this time I
conducted research on the health status of French freshwater crayfish
populations and on the susceptibility of several freshwater crayfish species to
white spot syndrome virus. In 2002 I was awarded a Research Fellowship by the
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to work in Munich, Germany. My work in
Germany is a continuation of my preliminary studies on the health status of
European freshwater crayfish. The AVH provides an excellent international
fellowship scheme for researchers up to the age of 40 from throughout the world
and I would recommend the foundation to anyone. Click on the following link to
learn more about the Alexander von Humboldt
foundation and its fellowship programs.
(This is now out of date – please read “note
from author”)