Research interests
My research interests are focused on the principle of improving animal welfare. In the past I have assessed how humane several commonly used anaesthetics are in fish, and whether altering the husbandry of rainbow trout enhances their welfare, behaviour and physiology.
My current research within the Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution group focuses on understanding wild rodent behaviour. In particular that relating to neophobia in order to understand underlying mechanisms that could be manipulated to provide more humane and effective rodent control.
Education and career
- B.Sc (Hons) Class 2:I, University of Liverpool (2005-2008)
- Research Technician, Haematology Department, University of Liverpool (2008-2009)
- PhD, University of Liverpool (2009-2013), Targeted surveillance for Ljungan virus and Hantaviruses in UK rodents (Defra; PI: Professor Mike Begon & Dr Lorraine McElhinney)
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Liverpool (2013-2015) (PI: Dr Lynne Sneddon)
- Postdoctoral Research Associate, Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, University of Liverpool (2015-present), The interplay of rodent behaviour and semiochemistry: from scientific principles to control strategies (BBSRC; PI: Professor Jane Hurst)
Publications
Dale, T.D., Watts, P.C., Jones, D., Pounder, K.C., Everest, D.J., Begon, M.E. & Chantrey, J. (2016). Enhancement of wildlife disease surveillance using multiplex quantitative PCR: development of qPCR assays for major pathogens in UK squirrel populations. European Journal of Wildlife Research, 62: 589-599.
Pounder, K.C., Mitchell, J.L., Thomson, J.S., Pottinger, T.G., Buckley, J. & Sneddon, L.U. (2016). Does environmental enrichment promote recovery from stress in rainbow trout? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 176: 136-142.
Pounder, K.C., Watts, P.C., Niklasson, B., Kallio, E.R.K., Marston, D.A., Fooks, A.R., Begon, M. & McElhinney, L.M. (2015). Genome characterisation of two Ljungan virus isolates from wild bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in Sweden. Infection, Genetics and Evolution, 36: 156-164.
Ayral, F., Artois, J., Zilber, A.L., Widén, F., Pounder, K.C., Aubert, D., Bicout, D.J. & Artois, M. (2015). The relationship between socioeconomic indices and potentially zoonotic pathogens carried by wild Norway rats: a survey in Rhône, France (2010-2012). Epidemiology and Infection, 143: 586-599.
McGarry, J.W., Higgins, A., White, N.G., Pounder, K.C. & Hetzel, U. (2015). Zoonotic helminths of urban brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in the UK: Neglected public health considerations? Zoonoses and Public Health, 62: 44-52.
Dupinay, T. & Pounder, K.C., Ayral, F., Laaberki, M.H., Marston, D.A., Lacôte, S., Rey, C., Barbet, F., Voller, K., Nazaret, N., Artois, M., Marianneau, P., Lachuer, J., Fooks, A.R., Pépin, M., Legras-Lachuer, C. & McElhinney, L.M. (2014). Detection and genetic characterization of Seoul Virus from commensal brown rats in France. Virology Journal, 11.
Pounder, K.C., Begon, M., Sironen, T., Henttonen, H., Watts, P.C., Voutilainen, L., Vapalahti, O., Klempa, B., Fooks, A.R. & McElhinney, L.M. (2013). Novel hantavirus in field vole, United Kingdom. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 19: 673-675.
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