| Academic Year | 2022-2023 |
| r.clark.22@abdn.ac.uk | |
| Institution | University of Aberdeen |
Biography
Pronouns: she/her
School: School of Biological Sciences
Project: Environmentally transmitted pathogens in wild red (Cervus elaphus) and roe (Capreolus capreolus) deer: the role of land use and bioclimate
Supervisors: Dr Mark Mosely, Dr Kathryn Allan, Professor Eric Morgan & Dr Sandra Telfer
Undergraduate Education: BSc (Hons) Veterinary Biosciences, University of Glasgow
Postgraduate Education: MSc Conservation Management of African Ecosystems, University of Glasgow
Research: Wildlife plays an important role in the epidemiology of some of the most important pathogens of livestock and humans, either as reservoirs or vectors of infection. The presence of wildlife hosts can complicate disease management as traditional control measures, such as vaccination, are challenging in wildlife species. Despite the abundance and widespread distribution of both red and roe deer in the UK and increasing awareness that deer may play a role in the epidemiology of numerous zoonotic and livestock pathogens, less is known about how these roles may differ between deer species, whose ecology can differ significantly and to what extent land use and bioclimate conditions drive infection risk in wild deer. My PhD will involve a combination of field work, liaising with local gamekeepers and deer stalkers for sample collection, serological and molecular testing and GIS and a variety of statistical approaches.
- Twitter: @_rachael_clark
