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Scientist holding petri dish

Our research areas

Performing translational, comparative and veterinary clinical applied research to improve animal and human health and contributing to research into a variety of global health challenges.

Our research involves cross-disciplinary collaborations between researchers based within the School of Veterinary Science and other scientists including biologists, epidemiologists, mathematicians, health economists and social scientists. 

We produce high quality, impactful, internationally recognised science that benefits the health and wellbeing of animals and which is integrated within our veterinary undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

We have access to state-of-the-art- research facilities and use cutting-edge technologies and develop novel innovations to monitor animal health and detect disease at the earliest possible stage.

We have a vibrant and active research community providing multiple opportunities for us to train the next generation of research scientists.

Research areas

  • Improving the lives of animals and their owners in populations ranging from livestock and working equids in rural Africa to UK livestock, companion animals and horses. We perform important primary research that can be used by veterinary professionals to achieve optimal outcomes for their animal patients, including patient-based research studies.

  • Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

    Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in companion animals, infection control and surveillance of hospital-acquired infections in veterinary hospitals and introduction and assessment of rapid diagnostic tests. Our projects include investigation of bacteria household pets carry, risk factors for transmission between pets and owners, and how and why veterinary surgeons are prescribing antimicrobial drugs.

  • Harnessing expertise to improve human health through what we eat, understand choice and enable equitable and fair access, support the generation of food that is authentic, safe and nutritious from sustainable systems and characterise resilient supply chains that minimise risks to human, animal and plant health and the environment.

  • Research and innovation in monitoring disease trends over time in small animals and horses. Helping to inform researchers and veterinary surgeons about populations at risk, monitoring treatments and outcomes and helping to generate benchmarking data for veterinary practices and hospitals.

  • Our approach is grounded in the recognition that human behaviour is a key driver of changes in health (of both humans and other animals) and that diseases and other aspects of health affect human behaviour. Our research informs policy and practice and permits better surveillance and management of human and animal health.

  • Climate change and animal disease

    Assessing the likely impact of climate change on disease in animals by developing quantitative models to improve prediction of disease. Our research encompasses a variety of diseases of animals and people including vector-borne diseases spread by mosquitoes and midges, zoonotic diseases spread between animals and people and animal-specific parasitic diseases such as liver fluke.

chemistry

Research groups

Ruminant Research Group

Equine Research Group

Companion Animal Research Group

People and Animals and Their Health in Society (PATHS)

Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Food Systems

HORN Project

Liverpool University Climate and Infectious Diseases of Animals group (LUCINDA)

Zoonotic & Emerging Disease Group

Facilities

  • At Leahurst we teach veterinary students in all years of their studies, but especially those in their fourth and fifth years. The site is home to two farms, two referral hospitals, and two of the Institute's three first-opinion practices.