Dr Alexandra Whittaker

Biography/ Background

I qualified as a veterinary surgeon from Cambridge University in 2001. After a spell in small animal general practice I moved into the research/academic environment to work as an animal welfare adviser and lecturer. During my career to date, I have developed a keen interest in welfare science and its application in veterinary decision making, and ethics as applied to the veterinary field. My main clinical interests are in comparative animal medicine and veterinary anaesthesia/analgesia.

Qualifications

2001,	VetMB (Cambridge University)
2002,	MA(Hons) Medical and Veterinary Sciences (Cambridge University)
2004,	Certificate in Laboratory Animal Science (RCVS, UK)
2008,	Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Animal Welfare)
2009,	Diploma in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law (RCVS, UK)

 

Teaching Interests

I currently coordinate the perspectives of animal science course for the first year veterinary and animal science cohort, and teach into various other courses including: laboratory animal science;principles of animal welfare,behaviour and ethics;and animal health.  

Research Interests

I am interested in physiological and behavioural measures indicative of animal welfare, particularly in the context of intensive animal production. Current work is looking at housing strategies for sows in the context of social grouping and strategies to minimise aggression. My other main interest is in the use of analgesics in clinical practice and as a refinement strategy for routine animal husbandry procedures.

 

 

Entry last updated: Sunday, 12 Jul 2009