Invasive Animals CRC - About us -

Invasive Animals CRC

Invasive Animals CRC > About Us > Our postgraduate students

Jessica King

	Bachelor of Animal and Veterinary Bioscience (1st class Honours), University of Sydney (2005). "The effect of the environment and nutrition on environmental mastitis pathogens within dairy cows"
Background	My scientific interests have always been in the agricultural field. I have always had a passion for animal production and wildlife work, and the interactions between these two fields and feel that pest management plays a significant role in both. I am interested in the many challenges that face the livestock industry, including progressing the health and welfare of animal production systems. I enjoy many recreational activities in my free time including; swimming, skiing, golf, tennis, netball, cycling, hiking, fly fishing, and playing the flute. I am also a volunteer surf life saver
Supervisors	Professor John Ellis, University of Technology, Sydney Dr Peter Fleming, NSW Department of Primary Industries Assoc Prof. Peter Windsor, University of Sydney Dr David Jenkins, Australian National University Dr Jan Slapeta, University of Sydney
IA CRC Program	Terrestrial/Uptake
Projec	Investigating the role of wildlife and wild canids in transmission of Neospora caninum Neosporosis is an important emerging protozoal reproductive disease of cattle worldwide that is considered to involve a canine-bovine life cycle. In eastern Australia, outbreaks occur on dairy and beef cattle properties, particularly in coastal regions and often associated with proximity to bushland. Wild canids have been suggested as a source of infection. However data to support the hypothesis that wild canids are the source of infection is lacking and a possible role of foxes in bovine neosporosis needs investigation. A research group has been formed which included the two investigators that initiated bovine neosporosis research in Australia, plus expertise in wild canid and fox ecology. I am improving the diagnostic tests for Neosporosis, managing the collection of samples of faeces, blood and tissues from foxes and wild dogs during routine culling; and conducting prevalence surveys, relating collection points to habitat and using GIS to determine the spatial epidemiology of Neosporosis and develop models to assist management of neosporosis. Isolation and transmission studies on N caninum in wild dogs and foxes will form part of my project.
Locations	NSW Department of Primary Industries, Orange University of Sydney