Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
I am at present I'm working as the stranding coordinator for the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme based at the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow Previously I Worked for the Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) for nearly 26 years as a microbiologist.For the the main part I was based at Truro Cornwall until its closure in March 2012 and the last 6 months at Starcross Devon. I am a member of the European Cetacean Society Specialties: Marine mammal microbiology and pathology. Wildlife microbiology & pathology. Expertise in bacteriology, particularly determinative bacteriology.Expertise in Mycoplasma culture.Expertise in category 3 organisms,Mycobacteria and, particularly Brucella. Expertise in parasitology techniques.Some experience in virology and serology techniques.Expertise in post mortem sampling techniques.Expertise in data collection and archive tissue collection.Familiar with quality systems, UKAS ISO 17025 & 9001.
Occassional trainer in marine mammal identification and physiology.
Responsible for the collection of marine animal stranding reports and carcases. Assist with and perform necropsies on suitable animals. Perform determinative bacteriology on suitable animals. Collect and archive tissue samples. Maintain databases on archived samples and data, assist in research on samples and data. Assist in the production of reports to UK and Scottish governments.
Microbiologist My main duties were to perform tests on samples and carcases submitted to aid in diagnosis. Routine and determinative bacteriology. Parasitology. Wildlife and particularly marine mammal bacteriology.
MicrobiologistWorked for the Animal Health & Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) for nearly 26 years as a microbiologist.For the the main part I was based at Truro Cornwall until its closure in March 2012 and the last 6 months at Starcross Devon. My main duties were. to perform tests on samples and carcases submitted to aid in diagnosis. The Veterinary Laboratories Agency Polwhele Truro is a small government laboratory which provides a diagnostic service to local veterinary practioners and surveillance data to the Chief Veterinary officer and the Department for Environment & Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Truro AHVLA covers the whole of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The main work of the laboratory is farm animal work. In addition to this we also post-mortem cetaceans and pinnipeds stranded along the coast of South West England, this work is sub-contracted to us from the Institute of Zoology London. The laboratory performs post-mortems and routine bacteriology including Cat 3 (mycobacteria & brucella), parasitolgy and some virology tests on site backed up by a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests done at the other AHVLA sites. Since 1986 I have been involved in post-mortem examinations (including some field post-mortems) of cetaceans and pinnipeds. In early 1990’s I helped to develop the national post-mortem protocols for cetaceans & pinnipeds. I assist in sample collection data recording including photography on all marine mammal post-mortem examinations. I am responsible for the bacteriological & some parasitological examination of all marine mammal samples submitted to the laboratory. And the storage, despatch and archiving of all marine mammal samples. I also liaise with the local strandings volunteer’s network, and have developed a close working relationship with the Institute of Zoology and other organisations such as the Natural History Museum, London, British Divers Marine Life Rescue and the National Seal Sanctuary.
Expertise in assisting in post mortem examinations (including marine mammals) and sampling techniques. Some experience in bacteriology. Expertise in data collection and archive tissue collection. Some experience in Histological sampling techniques. Reagent preparation. Some experience in farm visits and sample collection.
Experience in reagent and media preparation. Some experience in basic bacteriology. Some experience in Histological sampling techniques. Post mortem experience including marine mammals.