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Professor Nigel Perkins

Head of School

School of Veterinary Science
Faculty of Science
n.perkins1@uq.edu.au
+61 7 54601 967

Overview

Professor Nigel Perkins is from a mixed grazing property in south west Queensland and completed a veterinary degree at the University of Queensland, followed by a Master of Science at The Ohio State University and a PhD in veterinary epidemiology at Massey University, New Zealand. He has practiced as a veterinarian in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria and has worked as a veterinary academic clinician at university veterinary schools in Australia, the USA and New Zealand. In 2003 Nigel was promoted to Associate Professor in veterinary epidemiology and Group Leader of the EpiCentre, an internationally acclaimed epidemiology research and consultancy centre within the Institute of Veterinary, Animal and Biomedical Science, Massey University. Nigel then joined AusVet - a private epidemiology consultancy company - in 2004 and became a Director of AusVet in 2007. Nigel joined UQ in February 2016 as Professor of One Health and Academic Superintendent within the School of Veterinary Science. In October 2017 Nigel was appointed as the Head of School of the School of Veterinary Science.

Nigel has held leadership roles in a number of organisations, including research program manager for the Horse R&D Program within the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC), surveillance program co-ordinator for the Australian Biosecurity Co-operative Research Centre (AB-CRC), and Chief Examiner of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. He is the current Chair of the Thoroughbred Advisory Panel for Agrifutures Australia. Nigel is recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in the field of veterinary epidemiology. He has broad experience in investigations of animal health, welfare, production and disease in a number of species including sheep, cattle, horses, poultry, pigs, aquatic species, and wildlife, as well as experience in human health projects. He has been involved in many short-term projects in Asian countries associated with capacity building in animal health, transboundary animal disease preparedness and response, risk analysis and disease outbreaks. Nigel's work has a strong focus on improving animal health, production and welfare outcomes in Australian livestock as well as providing leadership within the veterinary profession and in the broader areas of science, food sustainability and one health. .

Research Interests

  • One Health
    One Health encompasses issues that have impacts on veterinary medicine, human medicine and environmental health. Examples include zoonotic diseases (diseases of animals that impact human health), biodiversity, sustainable agricultural systems and practices that support general health and welfare for all.
  • Veterinary epidemiology
    The study of patterns of health and disease in populations of animals, including studies focusing on disease, production and welfare.
  • Quantitative epidemiology
    Application of statistical methods for experimental design, sample size estimation, power analysis and the use of advanced statistical analyses for deriving informaiton from complex datasets.
  • Clinical trials
    Design, statistical analyses and reporting for clinical trials including drug development, registration and marketing type applications.
  • Veterinary education
    Providing effective training focused on learning outcomes and practical skill development for undergraduate and post graduate students and for veterinarians and other professions aiming to develop advanced skills in epidemiology and statistics.

Research Impacts

Professor Perkins has been involved in a wide range of research activities as a university faculty member and as a private consultant. He has led teams investigating outbreaks of unknown or previously undescribed diseases in horses, small animals and aquaculture species both within Australia and internationally. Nigel played a key role in identifying and characterising processionary caterpillar exposure as a new cause of abortion in mares in Australia and developing risk management strategies for this condition. This work is currently being continued under an ARC Linkage grant in collaboration with researchers from the School of Biological Sciences and the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences. Nigel has been either a team leader or a co-investigator in numerous projects investigating production, health and welfare outcomes in livestock within Australia and overseas. In addition he has been involved in numerous projects with a one health application including projects involving avian influenza, zoonotic disease assessment in Asia, Q Fever, and Hendra virus. Nigel has particular interests in quantitative epidemiology and applied statistics as well as disease control, surveillance, risk analysis, risk factor studies, animal production, reproduction, welfare and zoonotic diseases.

Qualifications

  • Diplomate American College of Theriogenologists, American College of Theriogenologists
  • Bachelor of Veterinary Science 1st class honors, The University of Queensland
  • Master of Science, The Ohio State University
  • Fellow of the Australian College of Vet Scientists
  • PhD Epidemiology of Health and Performance in NZ, Massey University

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

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Publications

Book

Book Chapter

  • Epidemiology applied to horse reproduction

    Perkins, Nigel R. (2011). Epidemiology applied to horse reproduction. Equine reproduction. (pp. 2796-2802) edited by Angus O. McKinnon, Edward L. Squires, Wendy E. Vaala and Dickson D. Varner. Ames, Iowa, United States: Wiley-Blackwell Publishing.

  • Pregnancy loss in mares associated with exposure to caterpillars in Kentucky and Australia

    Perkins, N. R., Sebastian, M. M., Todhunter, K. H., Wylie, R. M., Begg, A. P., Muscatello, G., Gilkerson, J. R., Racklyeft, D. J., Chicken, C., Wilson, M. C., Cawdell-Smith, A. J. and Bryden, W. L. (2007). Pregnancy loss in mares associated with exposure to caterpillars in Kentucky and Australia. Poisonous Plants: Global Research and Solutions. (pp. 165-170) edited by Panter, K.E., Wierenga, T.L. and Pfister, J.A.. United Kingdom: CABI Publishing.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

  • Effects of acepromazine and medetomidine on the tissue oxygen saturation measured with near infrared spectroscopy in anaesthetised dogs

    Cowling, N., Woldeyohannes, S., Rainger, J., McEwen, M., Perkins, N., Barnes, T. and Goodwin, W. (2019). Effects of acepromazine and medetomidine on the tissue oxygen saturation measured with near infrared spectroscopy in anaesthetised dogs. American college of veterinary anesthesia and analgesia annual meeting, Washington, DC, United States, 7 September 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.08.015

  • Occurrence of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in peri-urban wild dogs

    Harriott, Lana, Wood, Caitlin, Gentle, Matthew, Traub, Rebecca, Soares-Magalhaes, Ricardo, Perkins, Nigel, Tozer, Sarah and Cobbold, Rowland (2019). Occurrence of bacterial pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in peri-urban wild dogs. Pest Animals and Weeds Symposium 2019, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 20-23 May 2019. North Sydney, NSW Australia: FutureBeef.

  • Comparison of two formulations of alfaxalone in laboratory zebra fish (Danio rerio) for use in immersion anaesthesia

    Farry, T., Lau, C., Keates, H., McEwen, M., Woldeyohannes, S., Barnes, T., Perkins, N. and Goodwin, W. (2019). Comparison of two formulations of alfaxalone in laboratory zebra fish (Danio rerio) for use in immersion anaesthesia. American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, United States, 7 September 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.08.017

  • Effects of acepromazine and medetomidine on the tissue oxygen saturation measured with near infrared spectroscopy in anaesthetised dogs

    Cowling, N., Woldeyohannes, S., Rainger, J., McEwen, M., Perkins, N., Barnes, T. and Goodwin, W. (2019). Effects of acepromazine and medetomidine on the tissue oxygen saturation measured with near infrared spectroscopy in anaesthetised dogs. 25th International Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care Symposium, Washington, DC, United States, 6-10 September 2019. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.08.015

  • Are peri-urban wild dogs another potential source of transmission of Q fever in Queensland?

    Wood, Caitlin, Harriott, Lana, Soares Magalhaes, Ricardo, Cobbold, Rowland, Perkins, Nigel and Tozer, Sarah (2018). Are peri-urban wild dogs another potential source of transmission of Q fever in Queensland?. Australian Society for Microbiology Conference 2018, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 1-4 July 2018.

  • Statistics for Vets - preparing for and analysing bioequivalence data

    Perkins, N. (2015). Statistics for Vets - preparing for and analysing bioequivalence data. Pan Pacific Veterinary Conference, Brisbane, Australia, 24-29 May 2015. St Leonards, NSW, Australia: Australian Veterinary Association (AVA).

  • Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia

    McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 27 July - 1 August 2014.

  • Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia

    McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Perkins, Nigel, O’Rourke, Peter, Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian, Morton, John and Jephcott, Sandi (2014). Factors affecting the efficiency with which beef cows become pregnant after calving in Northern Australia. 28th World Buiatrics Congress, Cairns, Australia, 27 July-1 August 2014. Eight Mile Plains, Qld. Australian: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

  • Insights from Cash Cow

    McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, Kieren D., Fordyce, Geoff, Smith, David, Perkins, Nigel, O'Rourke, Peter K., Barnes, Tamsin, Marquart, Louise, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Burns, Brian M., Morton, John M. and Jephcott, Sandi (2013). Insights from Cash Cow. Northern Beef Research Update Conference, Cairns, QLD Australia, 12-15 August 2013. Gympie, QLD Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

  • Factors affecting performance of beef breeding herds: findings from the Cash Cow project

    McGowan, Michael R., McCosker, K. D., Fordyce, G., Smith, D. R., Perkins, N. R., O'Rourke, P. K., Barnes, T., Marquart, L., Menzies, D., Newsome, T., Joyner, D., Phillips, N., Burns, B. M., Morton, J. M. and Jephcott, J. (2013). Factors affecting performance of beef breeding herds: findings from the Cash Cow project. ACV 2013: Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT, Australia, 26-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD, Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

  • Performance and production of North Australian beef breeding herds - findings from The Cash Cow Project

    Fordyce, Geoffry, McCosker, Kieren, Smith, Dave, O'Rourke, Peter, Perkins, Nigel and McGowan, Michael (2013). Performance and production of North Australian beef breeding herds - findings from The Cash Cow Project. Australian Cattle Veterinarians 2013 Conference, Darwin, NT Australia, 25-28 June 2013. Eight Mile Plains, QLD Australia: Australian Cattle Veterinarians.

  • EAFL risk and caterpillar ecology

    Perkins, N. R., Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Carrick, J. B. and Zalucki, M. P. (2012). EAFL risk and caterpillar ecology. 4th Australasian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast , Australia, 13-15 June 2012. Gatton, Australia: The University of Queensand, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences.

  • Endocrine responses in Processionary caterpillar induced EAFL

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Anderson, S. T., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2012). Endocrine responses in Processionary caterpillar induced EAFL. 4th Australasian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Australia, 13-15 June 2012. Gatton, Australia: The University of Queensand, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences.

  • Histopathology of the feto-placental unit following experimental inductino of EAFL

    Todhunter, K. H., Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Bryden, W. L., Perkins, N. R. and Begg, A. P. (2012). Histopathology of the feto-placental unit following experimental inductino of EAFL. 4th Australasian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Australia, 13-15 June 2012. Gatton, Australia: The University of Queensand, School of Agriculture and Food Sciences.

  • Cash Cow-exposing northern breeder herd productivity

    McCosker, Kieren D., McGowan, Michael R., O'Rourke, Peter K., Smith, David R., Fordyce, Geoffry, Burns, Brian M., Joyner, Di, Phillips, Nancy, Menzies, Don, Newsome, Tom, Perkins, Nigel R., Morton, John M. and Jephcott, Sandi (2011). Cash Cow-exposing northern breeder herd productivity. Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC 2011), Darwin, Australia, 3-4 August 2011. Park Ridge, QLD, Australia: North Australia Beef Research Council.

  • Cashcow for vets: Using foetal-aging to improve the reproductive management of beef herds

    McGowan, Michael, McCosker, Kieren, Fordyce, Geoffry, Smith, Dave, Burns, Brian, Jephcott, Sandi, Newsome, Tom, Menzies, Don, Joyner, Di, Perkins Nigel and O'Rourke, Peter (2011). Cashcow for vets: Using foetal-aging to improve the reproductive management of beef herds. Australian Veterinary Association Annual Conference (AVA, 2011), Adelaide, SA Australia, 15-20 May 2011. St Leonards, NSW Australia: Australian Veterinary Association.

  • Live weight gain of weaner steers selected on growth rate after weaning and fed Cavalcade (Centrosema pascuroum) or Mekong grass (Brachiaria brizantha) hay

    Farmer, T., Cowley, T., Streeter, S. J., Perkins, N., Quigley, S. P. and Poppi, D. P. (2011). Live weight gain of weaner steers selected on growth rate after weaning and fed Cavalcade (Centrosema pascuroum) or Mekong grass (Brachiaria brizantha) hay. Northern Beef Research Update Conference (NBRUC 2011), Darwin, NT, Australia, 2 - 5 August 2011.

  • Caterpillars and equine fetal loss: An Australian perspective

    Cawdell-Smith, A.J., Todhunter. K.H., Anderson, S.T., Perkins, N.R. and Bryden, W.L. (2010). Caterpillars and equine fetal loss: An Australian perspective. 10th International Symposium on Equine Reproduction, Lexington, KY, U.S.A., 26-30 July, 2010. Netherlands: Elsevier BV.

  • Caterpillars and equine fetal loss: aspects of histopathology

    Todhunter. K.H., Cawdell-Smith, A.J., Begg, A.P., Perkins, N.R. and Bryden, W.L. (2010). Caterpillars and equine fetal loss: aspects of histopathology. 10th International Symposium on Equine Reproduction, Lexington, KY, U.S.A., Elsevier BV. Netherlands: Elsevier BV.

  • Nocardioform like focal mucoid placentitis as sequelae to caterpillar exposure in mares

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R., Begg, A. P. and Bryden, W. L. (2010). Nocardioform like focal mucoid placentitis as sequelae to caterpillar exposure in mares. 3rd Australasian Equine Science Symposium 2010, Gold Coast, Australia, 3-5 June 2010.

  • Pathology of mares aborting during equine amnionitis and foetal loss

    Todhunter, K. H., Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Perkins, N. R., Begg, A.P. and Bryden, W. L. (2010). Pathology of mares aborting during equine amnionitis and foetal loss. 3rd Australasian Equine Science Symposium 2010, Gold Coast, Australia, 3-5 June 2010.

  • Placentitis following exposure of mares to Processionary Caterpillars

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2010). Placentitis following exposure of mares to Processionary Caterpillars. 3rd Australasian Equine Science Symposium 2010, Gold Coast, Australia, 3-5 June 2010.

  • Equine amnionitis and foetal loss: aspects of the pathology

    Todhunter, K. H., Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Perkins, N. R., Bryden, W. L. and Begg, A. P. (2008). Equine amnionitis and foetal loss: aspects of the pathology. Research for the 21st Century Horse Industry: From Genomics to the Winning Post., Gold Coast, Australia, 4-6 June, 2008. Australia: Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre.

  • Processionary caterpillars are an abortifacient in mares

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2008). Processionary caterpillars are an abortifacient in mares. Australia & New Zealand Societies of Animal Production. First Joint Conference, St. Lucia, Queensland, 23-27 June 2008. Australia: Australian Society of Animal Production.

  • Processionary caterpillars: their role in early pregnancy loss

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2008). Processionary caterpillars: their role in early pregnancy loss. Research for the 21st Century Horse Industry: From Genomics to the Winning Post., Gold Coast , Australia, 4-6 June, 2008. Australia: Australian Equine Genetics Research Centre.

  • A role for caterpillars in the aetiology of equine amnionitis and foetal loss (EAFL)

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2007). A role for caterpillars in the aetiology of equine amnionitis and foetal loss (EAFL). Recent Advances in Animal Nutrition in Australia, Armidale, NSW, Australia, 9-11 July, 2007. Armidale, NSW, Australia: Dept. of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Nutrition, University of New England.

  • Australian Equine Science Symposium : An Overview

    Bryden, W. L., Broad, T. E., Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Sillence, M. N., Perkins, N. R. and Hodgson, D. R. (2007). Australian Equine Science Symposium : An Overview. USA Equine Science Symposium (ESS 2007), Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley , MD, 5-9 June 2007.

  • Establishment of a link between processionary caterpillars and pregnancy loss in Australian mares

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Todhunter, K. H., Shini, S, Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2007). Establishment of a link between processionary caterpillars and pregnancy loss in Australian mares. USA Equine Science Symposium (ESS 2007), University of Maryland, 5-9 June 2007. Maryland, USA: University of Maryland.

  • Mare fertility following transport and separation from foal

    Cawdell-Smith, A. J., Burey, K. M., Perkins, N. R. and Bryden, W. L. (2007). Mare fertility following transport and separation from foal. USA Equine Science Symposium (ESS 2007), Maryland, USA, 5-6 June, 2007.

  • Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses

    Cogger, N., Perkins, N., Hodgson, D. R., Reid, S. W. J. and Evans, D. L. (2006). Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in 2-year-old Thoroughbred racehorses. Meeting of the Society-for-Veterinary-Epidemiology-and-Preventive-Medicine, Warwick, England, 2003. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2006.01.005

  • Effect of transport and separation from foal on mare fertility at first post-foaling service

    Burey, K.M., Cawdell-Smith, A J and Perkins, N. R. (2006). Effect of transport and separation from foal on mare fertility at first post-foaling service. Equine Science 2006 : Australian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia, 13-14 June, 2006. Gold Coast, Qld, Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.

  • Equine amnionitis and foetal loss (EAFL) identified as a cause of pregnancy loss in Australian mares

    Perkins, N. R., Todhunter, H., Wylie, M., Begg, P., Gilkerson, R., Muscatello,, Racklyeft, J., Chicken,, Wilson, C. and Cawdell-Smith, A.J. (2006). Equine amnionitis and foetal loss (EAFL) identified as a cause of pregnancy loss in Australian mares. Equine Science 2006 : Australian Equine Science Symposium, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia, 13-14 June, 2006. Gold Coast, Qld, Australia: Australian Equine Science Symposium.

  • Owner perceptions of health and welfare issues in horses aged 15 yrs or older

    McGowan, T. M., Perkins, N., Pinchbeck, G., Hohenhaus, M. A., Hodgson, D. R., Pearce, G. P. and McGowan, C. M. (2006). Owner perceptions of health and welfare issues in horses aged 15 yrs or older. 11th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Cairns, Australia, 6-11 August 2006.

  • Survival rates of horses in Queensland, Australia over a 2 year period

    McGowan, T. W., Perkins, N. R., Pinchbeck, G. L., Hohenhaus, M. A., Phillips, C. P., Hodgson, D. R. and McGowan, C. M. (2006). Survival rates of horses in Queensland, Australia over a 2 year period. 11th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Cairns, Australia, 6-11 August 2006.

  • Owner perceptions of health and welfare issues in horses aged 15 yrs or older

    McGowan, T. W., Perkins, N. R., Hohenhaus, M. A., Hodgson, D. R. and McGowan, C. M. (2005). Owner perceptions of health and welfare issues in horses aged 15 yrs or older. Showcasing Faculty research through our postgraduates, Gatton, Qld, 8th December 2005. Gatton, Qld: NRAVS Faculty.

  • The impact of a monthly rest day on avian influenza virus isolation rates in retail live poultry markets in Hong Kong

    Kung, N.Y., Guan, Y., Perkins, N.R., Bissett, L., Ellis, T., Sims, L., Morris, R.S., Shortridge, K.F. and Peiris, J.S.M. (2003). The impact of a monthly rest day on avian influenza virus isolation rates in retail live poultry markets in Hong Kong. 5th International Symposium on Avian Influenza, Athens, GA United States, 14-17 April, 2002. Jacksonville, FL United States: American Association of Avian Pathologists. doi: 10.1637/0005-2086-47.s3.1037

  • Stage of pregnancy and foetal loss following exposure of mares to processionary caterpillars

    Cawdell-Smith, A.J., Todhunter, K.H., Perkins, N.R. and Bryden, W.L. Stage of pregnancy and foetal loss following exposure of mares to processionary caterpillars. United States,

Other Outputs

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Survey and experimental investigation into the role of workload intensity on dorsal metacarpal disease risk and third metacarpal adaptation to treadmill exercise in young horses

    Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Insecticide resistance in Buffalo flies infesting Australian cattle

    Master Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Best practice and patient safety in veterinary anaesthesia.

    Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

Completed Supervision

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Links

ResearcherID: C-9949-2016

ORCID: 0000-0002-9233-1434

Scopus ID: 55321849700

Google Scholar ID: OpT25r0AAAAJ

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