Research
We improve the health, welfare and productivity of all animals through our research into local and global issues facing the animal and veterinary industries.
The School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences has international leaders who explore broad areas of research including animal behaviour, biology, population health, infectious diseases, reproduction, livestock and equine health.
Our research also extends to professional practice which aims to enrich the education and career outcomes of our future veterinarians and animal scientists.
Our research is buoyed by excellent facilities at Roseworthy campus, the school’s 1671-hectare home north of Adelaide. Here we conduct laboratory-based, animal-based, clinical and field research.
Our research environment fosters a broad range of research collaborations with local, national and international organisations and institutions. We have key links to the beef, sheep, pork and poultry industries who we partner with to deliver evidence-based research outcomes.
Centres & Institutes Key collaborations
Research strengths
Our scientists work across the following multidisciplinary themes. Across all themes, our research has been rated by Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) as:
- Well above world standard - Veterinary sciences
- At world standard - Animal production
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Lead researchers
Researcher Research theme Research areas Dr Lynette Bester Equine health, Companion animal health Safe anaesthesia and pain management with interest in critical care. Assoc Prof Cynthia Bottema Animal and veterinary bioscience Livestock molecular genetics and DNA related biotechnologies, with a focus on genes controlling cattle and sheep production traits and a specific interest in fat metabolism. Dr Mariana Caetano Animal and veterinary bioscience Nutritional requirements and metabolism of ruminants to develop practical applications for improving livestock production. Dr Mandi Carr Animal production and health Improving productivity, profitability and sustainability of ruminant enterprises from a clinical perspective, Dr Anne-Lise Chaber Animal and veterinary bioscience One Health - not only zoonotic diseases or emerging infectious diseases, but also habitat destruction, climate warming, biodiversity loss, land use change, pollution, human demographic explosion, societal change and other dynamics that are threatening human, animal and environmental health. Assoc Prof Kapil Chousalkar Animal production and health Food safety; understanding behaviour of food borne pathogens from farm to fork; developing control strategies for food borne pathogens such as salmonella and campylobacter for improving human health. Dr Adele Feakes Animal and veterinary bioscience Development of professional capabilities, understandings and enterprising mindsets to enhance student’s success post-graduation; veterinary practice management; entrepreneurship.
VIBE websiteDr Emma Greenwood Animal production and health Improved ruminant health and productivity through neonatal microbiome manipulation. Dr Susan Hazel Animal and veterinary bioscience Animal behaviour, welfare and ethics, including research into animal-based therapies. Assoc Prof Farhid Hemmatzadeh Pathobiology, infectious disease and public health Molecular pathogenesis and diagnosis of animal viruses. Professor Peter Hill Companion animal health Pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Professor Gordon Howarth Animal and veterinary bioscience Identifying and testing novel naturally-sourced compounds for their ability to prevent or treat diseases and disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Assoc Prof Roy Kirkwood Animal production and health Management to improve sow reproductive performance and viability and growth performance of piglets. Dr Jose Len Animal and veterinary bioscience Improvement of sperm storage (liquid or cryopreserved) protocols. Efficient use of sperm in assisted reproductive techniques. Dr Lloyd Low Animal and veterinary bioscience Genome assembly, comparative genomics and metagenomics of mammals. Dr Todd McWhorter Animal and veterinary bioscience Comparative animal physiology, nutritional ecology, physiological ecology, wildlife ecology and conservation physiology. Dr Suong Ngo Pathobiology, infectious disease and public health Pharmacology, molecular insights into xenobiotic disposition in Australian marsupials; bioequivalence of generic medicines; and anticancer effects of medicinal plants. Assoc Prof Kiro Petrovski Animal production and health Animal production and health, food safety and quality, fertility, mastitis and herd management. Professor Wayne Pitchford Animal production and health Focus on improvement of beef and lamb production systems through improved genetics, meat quality and system efficiency. Dr Natasha Speight Animal and veterinary bioscience Understanding the biology, health and diseases of koalas. Dr Sharon Siva Animal production and health Development of biomarkers for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders, characterisation of animal production traits and improvement of animal welfare. Dr Colin Trengove Animal production and health Research strengths in production animal nutrition and health with a focus on macro and trace element deficiencies. Dr William van Wettere Animal production and health Reproductive endocrinology and ovarian function; increasing neonatal survival, reproductive efficiency and lifetime productivity of female production animals. Dr Alexandra Whittaker Animal and veterinary bioscience Behavioural neuroscience in the context of animal welfare and human neurological conditions, animal law. -
Fields of expertise
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- Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Agricultural Biotechnology Diagnostics
- Agricultural Marine Biotechnology
- Agricultural Production Systems Simulation
- Agricultural Systems Analysis and Modelling
- Agriculture
- Animal Behaviour
- Animal Breeding
- Animal Cell and Molecular Biology
- Animal Developmental
- Animal Growth and Development
- Animal Management
- Animal Neurobiology
- Animal Nutrition
- Animal Physiological Ecology
- Animal Physiology Cell
- Animal Physiology Systems
- Animal Production
- Animal Protection
- Animal Reproduction
- Animal Structure and Function
- Aquaculture
- Aquatic Ecosystem Studies and Stock Assessment
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C
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F
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H
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I
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M
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P
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Q
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R
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V
- Veterinary Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care
- Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology
- Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics
- Veterinary Epidemiology
- Veterinary Immunology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Microbiology
- Veterinary Pathology
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Veterinary Sciences
- Veterinary Surgery
- Veterinary Virology
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Research centres, facilities and initiatives
Australian Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Ecology
ACARE is at the forefront of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in livestock.
We develop new and repurposed antimicrobials and work with livestock industries to develop viable alternatives and stewardship policies.
JS Davies Animal Research Centre
Ruminant animal experts explore the interactions between genetics, physiology, management and the natural environment.
We’re working to improve animal productivity, welfare and the quality of food for consumers.
Australasian Pork Research Institute
Finding solutions for key industry challenges, APRIL is the successor of the Pork CRC.
APRIL researchers sink their snouts into food quality, cost, production capital, pig welfare, environmental and consumer health.
Evidence Synthesis Initiative for Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Relevant and high quality evidence to support decision-making in animal industries and veterinary practice.
Veterinary Health Centres
Our state-of-the-art 24-hour teaching hospital is home to our Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory and health services for companion animals, horses and production animals.
COVID-19 Detector Dog Program
A dog’s nose is the new technology identifying COVID-19 in humans. We're leading Australian research and trials into detector dogs to identify and prevent the spread of the virus.
Let's talk.
If you’re looking for expertise and resources to help your organisation achieve its objectives, learn how you can partner with us.
For a discussion about how you can support a specific area of research, contact our Development Team on +61 8313 5800, email development@adelaide.edu.au or donate online.