I am currently Professor of Zoology in the School of Environment & Life Sciences.
My research for the last 30 years has been focused on the biology, immunology and epidemiology of tapeworm parasites (Cestodes) particularly Echinococcus, which are transmitted to humans as zoonotic infections. This has involved extensive fieldwork in East Africa, China and Kyrgyzstan correlating human and animal diagnostic surveys with disease prevalence and transmission and has enabled us to identify risk factors associated with potential infection. I am also interested in the interaction of the human immune system and hydatid cysts, which are the larval stages of the parasite. Recent work has enabled us to identify cytokine and antibody markers which can be used to monitor the natural history of parasite
more...I am currently Professor of Zoology in the School of Environment & Life Sciences.
My research for the last 30 years has been focused on the biology, immunology and epidemiology of tapeworm parasites (Cestodes) particularly Echinococcus, which are transmitted to humans as zoonotic infections. This has involved extensive fieldwork in East Africa, China and Kyrgyzstan correlating human and animal diagnostic surveys with disease prevalence and transmission and has enabled us to identify risk factors associated with potential infection. I am also interested in the interaction of the human immune system and hydatid cysts, which are the larval stages of the parasite. Recent work has enabled us to identify cytokine and antibody markers which can be used to monitor the natural history of parasite development and disease progression.
I am also involved in research relating to the transmission of helminth parasites (worms) within wild rodent populations in the UK and have recently published papers on new trematode species identified in voles in the UK.