Nigel Perkins

BVSc(Hons), MS, PhD, DipACT, FACVSc - Director

Nigel is recognized nationally and internationally for his achievements in veterinary epidemiology. He has broad experience in investigations of animal health and disease in a number of species including sheep, cattle, horses, poultry, aquatic species, and wildlife. Nigel has worked in Australia, USA and New Zealand and has been involved in a number of projects in Asian countries associated with capacity building in animal health, avian influenza preparedness and response, risk analysis and disease outbreak investigations. Nigel has particular interests in analytical epidemiology, disease investigation and surveillance. He is the author or co-author of numerous scientific articles and book chapters. Nigel is a multi-award winning teacher, has extensive experience in post graduate training programs in epidemiology, and has co-supervised a number of masters and PhD candidates in epidemiology and other fields. Nigel is the surveillance program co-ordinator for the Australian Biosecurity Co-operative Research Centre (AB-CRC) and program manager for the Horse R&D Program within the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). Nigel has also served as a member of the Board of Examiners and as Chief Examiner of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.

Nigel has a Queensland farming background and graduated in veterinary science from the University of Queensland in 1984 with first class honours, receiving a university medal for academic achievement. He worked in mixed practice in Victoria for several years before completing a residency and Master of Science (1991) degree in animal reproduction at The Ohio State University, Ohio. Nigel then worked in specialty practice in Australia for 3 years before moving to a faculty position in Large Animal Reproduction at Massey University, New Zealand in 1994. Veterinary epidemiology occupied a growing part of his work over the next few years and in 1999 he moved to a full time academic position in veterinary epidemiology within the EpiCentre, an internationally acclaimed epidemiology research and consultancy centre within the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science, Massey University. In 2003 Nigel was appointed as Associate Professor in veterinary epidemiology, and Group Leader of the EpiCentre, a position he held until joining AusVet Animal Health Services Pty Ltd in early 2004. Nigel completed a PhD at Massey University, receiving a doctorate in 2005 for his thesis titled: "Epidemiology of health and performance in New Zealand racehorses".