Post-Doctoral Researchers
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Dr Paula Avello
Research Fellow I am currently a Research Fellow in Modelling Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) in Agri-Systems. I am working to understand how animal health and welfare state and environmental factors affect AMR dynamics. This is in order to develop a policy framework for broiler systems. My research interests lie in the application of mathematical modelling and statistical analysis to answer biological questions. My areas of investigation include animal health and welfare using the systems approach, and plant science with a focus on circadian rhythms. I obtained a PhD in Mathematics from the University of York (UK) and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Statistics from the Universidad de Valparaíso (Chile). My professional experience also includes work in industry as a Head of Studies at the Consumer Research Unit and as a CRM Analyst at the Business Intelligence Unit in a telecommunications company. |
Dr Lauren Smith
Research Fellow I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in farm animal welfare, with research interests in population ecology, infectious disease dynamics, systems modelling and statistics. I have a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Glasgow, a Post Graduate Certificate in International Animal Health at the University of Edinburgh, and an MSc in Wild Animal Biology at the Royal Veterinary College and the Zoological Society of London. I completed my PhD at the University of Leeds in 2020, where I was investigating the impact of free-roaming dog population management. During my Postdoctoral positions at Leeds, I have creating a user-friendly application to estimate dog population size and predict the impact of management strategies. 
Dr Ruth Wade
Research Fellow I am a Research Fellow on the FixOurFood project https://fixourfood.org/ aiming to quantify the impacts of regenerative farming practices on the soil, plants, interacting organisms and atmosphere. I am an ecologist at heart, with a passion to use knowledge and ideas from ecological systems in agricultural systems, working towards sustainable farming whilst maintaining a resilient and productive farming system. I am particularly interested in plant-soil interactions, plant defence strategies and multi-trophic interactions. I completed my PhD in 2015, measuring the impact of predicted changes in UK rainfall patterns on barley crop production, plant defence as well as insect pests and their natural enemies. During my time as a Post-doctoral Research Associate, I worked at the University of Sheffield investigating the role of hedgerows and grass leys in supporting soil biodiversity in neighbouring agricultural fields, multifunctional landscape approaches and growth/survival trade-offs in different grass species. For the last three years I have worked as a Research Consultant at ADAS where I delivered research for the agricultural sector as well as worked directly with farmers in the UK, USA and Canada, trying to narrow the gap between actual and potential yields. 
Dr Danni Wijesiriwardana
Research Fellow I am a Postdoctoral Research Fellow and KTP associate in data analytics. My research interests include monogastric digestive physiology and nutrition as well as predictive analytics and machine learning. I have a BSc in Science majoring in molecular biology and genetics from the Australian National University, and an MSc in Animal Science from the University of Melbourne majoring in monogastric nutrition and physiology. In 2020 I completed my PhD at the University of Melbourne in which I aimed to optimise the progeny from primiparous sows through maternal nutrition while also investigating differences in the digestive physiology of both primiparous and multiparous sow progeny. During my time at the University of Leeds, I have worked in association with Karro Food Groups to build a business dashboard which incorporates predictive modelling to help Karro make informed business decisions. Project Manager
Suzannah Turner
Smart Agri-Systems Research Officer / Project Manager I graduated from Aberystwyth University in 2009 with a BA in Drama, returning to work in Higher Education Research Support at the University of Lincoln in 2014. After spending some time supporting pre-award activities and working with Prof Lisa Collins to apply for funding for the PigSustain project, I then moved into post-award Project Management. I have since joined the team at the University of Leeds and am the dedicated Project Manager for PigSustain, alongside supporting pre and post-award activities under the Smart Agri-Systems Research Initiative. Post-graduate students
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Emily Bushby
PhD student
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Bioveterinary Science before continuing at the University of Lincoln to study for my MSc by Research, for which I investigated how a pig's cognitive processing may be affected by pregnancy.
I am now a BBSRC DTP iCase PhD student at the University of Leeds, where I am investigating gestational and early-life dietary impacts on performance, welfare and gut health in pigs.
PhD student
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Bioveterinary Science before continuing at the University of Lincoln to study for my MSc by Research, for which I investigated how a pig's cognitive processing may be affected by pregnancy.
I am now a BBSRC DTP iCase PhD student at the University of Leeds, where I am investigating gestational and early-life dietary impacts on performance, welfare and gut health in pigs.
Megan Fairweather
PhD student
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biology at Newcastle University before completing a MRes in Molecular Microbiology, during which I studied the effect of nutrient limitation on pathogenesis of the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans.
I am now studying for my PhD at the University of Leeds, looking at the effect of the social environment on the microbiome, using Drosophila as a model system.
PhD student
I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Biology at Newcastle University before completing a MRes in Molecular Microbiology, during which I studied the effect of nutrient limitation on pathogenesis of the human fungal pathogen, Cryptococcus neoformans.
I am now studying for my PhD at the University of Leeds, looking at the effect of the social environment on the microbiome, using Drosophila as a model system.
Cherie Part
PhD student
I graduated from the University of Ulster in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology, and the British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award. After working in the private and voluntary sectors for several years, I completed a MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Queen’s University Belfast. Here, I tested the validity of various physiological and behavioural stress indicators in kennelled dogs (funded by Dogs Trust). I am now in the final stages of a PhD with Professor Collins in which I am developing statistical models to estimate the effects of climate change on broiler chicken health and welfare epidemiology. I am currently finalising my thesis for submission.
PhD student
I graduated from the University of Ulster in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Applied Psychology, and the British Psychological Society Undergraduate Award. After working in the private and voluntary sectors for several years, I completed a MSc in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Queen’s University Belfast. Here, I tested the validity of various physiological and behavioural stress indicators in kennelled dogs (funded by Dogs Trust). I am now in the final stages of a PhD with Professor Collins in which I am developing statistical models to estimate the effects of climate change on broiler chicken health and welfare epidemiology. I am currently finalising my thesis for submission.
Sarah Reaney
PhD student
After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc in Psychology I went on to study for a MSc in Animal Behaviour from Manchester Metropolitan University, looking at activity budgets and enclosure use in captive kept Dhole (Cuon alpinus). I am now studying for my PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Lincoln, looking at how individual differences, such as personality in animals may mediate or moderate how they express pain, using dogs with hip dysplasia as a model system. I am currently completing my PhD whilst embarking on postdoctoral research at Sheffield Hallam University.
PhD student
After graduating from Sheffield Hallam University with a BSc in Psychology I went on to study for a MSc in Animal Behaviour from Manchester Metropolitan University, looking at activity budgets and enclosure use in captive kept Dhole (Cuon alpinus). I am now studying for my PhD in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at the University of Lincoln, looking at how individual differences, such as personality in animals may mediate or moderate how they express pain, using dogs with hip dysplasia as a model system. I am currently completing my PhD whilst embarking on postdoctoral research at Sheffield Hallam University.
Annika Simpson
PhD student
I moved from Sweden to the UK in 2013 to study Animal Science, BSc (Hons), at Newcastle University. I have since completed a MRes in Animal Behaviour in the faculty of Biomedical Sciences, during which I assessed post-castration pain and analgesic efficacy using behaviour in the laboratory rabbit.
I have now relocated to the University of Leeds where I will be studying for a PhD in which the uterine environment and its association with trans-generational performance in pigs will be investigated.
PhD student
I moved from Sweden to the UK in 2013 to study Animal Science, BSc (Hons), at Newcastle University. I have since completed a MRes in Animal Behaviour in the faculty of Biomedical Sciences, during which I assessed post-castration pain and analgesic efficacy using behaviour in the laboratory rabbit.
I have now relocated to the University of Leeds where I will be studying for a PhD in which the uterine environment and its association with trans-generational performance in pigs will be investigated.
Research Staff
Daniel Gilson
Research Technician
In 2013, I graduated from the University of Bangor with a BSc in Zoology. In 2016 I completed a PgDIP in Veterinary Epidemiology from the Royal Veterinary College, London, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I joined the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) department of Epidemiological sciences as a support scientist in 2016. During my time with the APHA, I primarily worked in the areas of Salmonella in pigs and poultry, UK pig population demographics and antimicrobial resistance in livestock. I joined the team at Leeds University as a Research Technician in 2019 and currently work on the PigSustain and Climate Pig projects.
Research Technician
In 2013, I graduated from the University of Bangor with a BSc in Zoology. In 2016 I completed a PgDIP in Veterinary Epidemiology from the Royal Veterinary College, London, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I joined the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) department of Epidemiological sciences as a support scientist in 2016. During my time with the APHA, I primarily worked in the areas of Salmonella in pigs and poultry, UK pig population demographics and antimicrobial resistance in livestock. I joined the team at Leeds University as a Research Technician in 2019 and currently work on the PigSustain and Climate Pig projects.
Gesa Reiss
Senior Innovation Fellow - Smart Agri-Systems
Coming soon..
Senior Innovation Fellow - Smart Agri-Systems
Coming soon..
Masters Students
Genny Stringer-Calvert
MSc by Research
I studied for a BSc Zoology (IND) at the University of Leeds. My placement year was based at a conservation reserve in the Panamanian rainforest, where my project focused on eusocial insect behaviour. My dissertation project in the Collins lab looked into the vocalisation patterns of pigs after bouts of aggression, to examine how vocalisations convey emotional and physiological state after aggression, and the use of vocalisations as a potential welfare indicator.
In October 2019 I begin a Masters by Research in social dynamics and antimicrobial resistance in pigs, supervised by Prof Lisa Collins, Dr Alex O'Neill and Dr Laura Carter.
MSc by Research
I studied for a BSc Zoology (IND) at the University of Leeds. My placement year was based at a conservation reserve in the Panamanian rainforest, where my project focused on eusocial insect behaviour. My dissertation project in the Collins lab looked into the vocalisation patterns of pigs after bouts of aggression, to examine how vocalisations convey emotional and physiological state after aggression, and the use of vocalisations as a potential welfare indicator.
In October 2019 I begin a Masters by Research in social dynamics and antimicrobial resistance in pigs, supervised by Prof Lisa Collins, Dr Alex O'Neill and Dr Laura Carter.
Benjamin Hague
Master in Biology
I am a biology student at the University of Leeds undertaking an integrated masters course. My research interests centre around alternative agricultural strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on our food systems and improving agricultural sustainability. With the supervision of Prof Lisa Collins and Dr Ruth Wade, I am designing a research project to quantify the effects of a regenerative farming system relative to a conventional system. The impacts on soil health and crop yield will hopefully aid farmers considering switching to a sustainable food production system.
Master in Biology
I am a biology student at the University of Leeds undertaking an integrated masters course. My research interests centre around alternative agricultural strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change on our food systems and improving agricultural sustainability. With the supervision of Prof Lisa Collins and Dr Ruth Wade, I am designing a research project to quantify the effects of a regenerative farming system relative to a conventional system. The impacts on soil health and crop yield will hopefully aid farmers considering switching to a sustainable food production system.
Rose Shipley
Master in Biology
I am a Biology student completing an integrated masters at the University of Leeds. My dissertation project looks to assess the dietary risk factors of dilated cardiomyopathy in domestic dogs with the supervision of Prof Lisa Collins, Dr Udani Wijesiriwardana, and Dr Lauren Smith. My interest in nutritional health has developed from prior work on dietary risk factors of canine gastric dilation-volvulus with Dr Katie McDermott, as well as a veterinary placement on a farm.
Master in Biology
I am a Biology student completing an integrated masters at the University of Leeds. My dissertation project looks to assess the dietary risk factors of dilated cardiomyopathy in domestic dogs with the supervision of Prof Lisa Collins, Dr Udani Wijesiriwardana, and Dr Lauren Smith. My interest in nutritional health has developed from prior work on dietary risk factors of canine gastric dilation-volvulus with Dr Katie McDermott, as well as a veterinary placement on a farm.
Undergraduate students
Tamira Brown
Intercalating Veterinary Medicine and Zoology degree
I am a Veterinary Medicine student at the Royal Veterinary College. In 2021, I started my intercalated degree in Zoology in Relation to Medicine and Veterinary Science at the University of Leeds. Whilst at the RVC, I have completed previous research projects investigating how genetics and environmental factors influence the prevalence of canine osteoarthritis. I have also completed placements with an array of species with my favourite experiences, including Serengeti Safari Park, Germany and lambing season in Northumberland.
At the University of Leeds, I am currently researching factors affecting piglet welfare, growth and mortality within the National Pig Centre, with supervision from Dr Lauren Smith.
Intercalating Veterinary Medicine and Zoology degree
I am a Veterinary Medicine student at the Royal Veterinary College. In 2021, I started my intercalated degree in Zoology in Relation to Medicine and Veterinary Science at the University of Leeds. Whilst at the RVC, I have completed previous research projects investigating how genetics and environmental factors influence the prevalence of canine osteoarthritis. I have also completed placements with an array of species with my favourite experiences, including Serengeti Safari Park, Germany and lambing season in Northumberland.
At the University of Leeds, I am currently researching factors affecting piglet welfare, growth and mortality within the National Pig Centre, with supervision from Dr Lauren Smith.
Former team members
Masters students: Kayleigh Chadwick, Sarah Dickson (now studying a PhD)
Undergraduate students: Freya Martin, Phoebe Abrahams, Alice Ridley, Lucy Waller, Hannah Coyle, Polly Feather, Kerry McIlwain, Raymond Shek
Dr Ishwar Pun
Katharine Anderson (now a Research Assistant at Dogs Trust UK)
Kym Griffin (now studying for a PhD at Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Dr Lucy Asher (now Senior Lecturer at University of Newcastle, UK)
Dr Mary Friel
Dr Conor Goold
Dr Helen Gray (now a postdoctoral research fellow in the Asher Lab at University of Newcastle, UK)
Dr Jenna Kiddie (Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, now Canine Behaviour Manager at Dogs Trust UK)
Dr Raphaelle Metras (Sir Henry Wellcome Research Fellow, now Research Scientist at INSERM, France)
Dr Carrie Ijichi (now Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Dr Kayleigh Hogg
Undergraduate students: Freya Martin, Phoebe Abrahams, Alice Ridley, Lucy Waller, Hannah Coyle, Polly Feather, Kerry McIlwain, Raymond Shek
Dr Ishwar Pun
Katharine Anderson (now a Research Assistant at Dogs Trust UK)
Kym Griffin (now studying for a PhD at Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Dr Lucy Asher (now Senior Lecturer at University of Newcastle, UK)
Dr Mary Friel
Dr Conor Goold
Dr Helen Gray (now a postdoctoral research fellow in the Asher Lab at University of Newcastle, UK)
Dr Jenna Kiddie (Senior Lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University, UK, now Canine Behaviour Manager at Dogs Trust UK)
Dr Raphaelle Metras (Sir Henry Wellcome Research Fellow, now Research Scientist at INSERM, France)
Dr Carrie Ijichi (now Senior Lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, UK)
Dr Kayleigh Hogg
