Qualifications
Research Interests
Professional Associations

Dr Natasha Speight

Telephone	+61 8 8313 0655
Position	Associate Lecturer
Email	natasha.speight@adelaide.edu.au
Fax	+61 8 8313 7956
Building	Corridor Block
Floor/Room	G 02
Campus	Roseworthy
Org Unit	Veterinary Science

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Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Veterinary Biology)/ Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery, Murdoch University, WA

Honours degree, University of Adelaide, SA

Research Interests

My PhD research focuses on the cause and significance of a disease called oxalate nephrosis in the koala population of the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Oxalate nephrosis is characterised by the precipitation of calcium oxalate in the kidney, causing affected koalas to become ill due to kidney dysfunction. The main aim of my research is to determine the cause of oxalate nephrosis in this koala population. Possible causes include increased production of oxalate by the body due to deficiency of a liver enzyme involved in oxalate metabolism, or dietary contribution of oxalate from eucalypt leaves. Various analyses will be performed as part of this research project to assess whether these are potential causes of this disease in this koala population. It is hoped that the knowledge gained in this research study will improve koala health and management on both a local and national scale.

Professional Associations

Wildlife Disease Association

Australian Mammal Society

Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology & Biodiversity

South Australian Wildlife Health Network

Australian Wildlife Management Society

Entry last updated: Friday, 21 Sep 2012

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