We are actively involved in, or lead several research projects and supervise a number of postgraduate students. Our research projects are aligned with the Faculty’s research strategy. Many of these projects also fall under the Departmental research themes of host response in infectious disease and oncology. Several academic staff in the section are also affiliates of the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Research, with research focussed on clinical pathology in the context of conservation medicine and animal welfare.
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Prof Emma HooijbergBVSc, PhD, DipECVCP Tel: +27(0) 12 529 8445 Prof Hooijberg’s main research interests are focussed on conservation medicine, acute phase reactants and laboratory quality assurance. Former and current projects include the development of reference intervals and investigation of the acute phase response in vulnerable wildlife species and characterisation of the stress response and other physiological changes in white rhinoceros undergoing chemical immobilization and transportation. She is also currently leading or is involved in studies into cardiac troponin in rhinoceros, diseases of black-footed cats, acute phase proteins in domestic cats and lions, physiological responses in immobilized giraffe, and inflammatory and haemostatic changes in African Horse Sickness. Prof Hooijberg is a member of the ASVCP Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards Committee and has co-authored several guidelines and general articles with this group. |
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Prof Amelia GoddardBVSc, BVSc(Hons), MMedVet, PhD Professor: Clinical Pathology Tel: +27(0) 12 529 8293 Prof Goddard’s main research focus is on the complex interaction and interdependence between the inflammatory and haemostatic systems in systemic inflammation, using various animal models such as canine babesiosis, canine parvovirus enteritis, canine spirocercosis, snake envenomation and African horse sickness. The main objective of her research is to expand on current knowledge on the host response in systemic inflammation, specifically its effect on haemostasis. It has resulted in the identification of various biomarkers that may assist with prognostication in systemic inflammatory conditions. Prof Goddard has also been involved in several wildlife projects, specifically the validation of various assays for use in wildlife and creation of normal reference intervals. In addition, she has also investigating changes of acute phase proteins in various wildlife species. |
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Dr Tessa MorrisBVSc, PGDip Tel: +27(0) 12 529 8491 Dr Morris is a clinical pathology resident, and is researching serum amyloid A in African lions. |
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