Research
My research aims to improve the health, welfare and sustainability of dairy cattle by developing a deeper understanding of the biological, genetic and environmental factors that influence disease susceptibility and resilience. I combine veterinary epidemiology, quantitative genetics, genomics, microbiome science and precision livestock technologies to develop evidence-based solutions.
A major focus of my research is dairy cattle lameness, one of the most significant welfare and economic challenges facing the global dairy industry. My work has helped define the epidemiology of lameness in UK dairy herds, elucidated the genetic architecture of important lameness-associated diseases, and demonstrated the potential of genetic selection to improve resistance to lameness. This research has informed the development of national genetic evaluations used in UK dairy breeding programmes and underpins the establishment of the UK Hoof Health Registry, a national initiative (led by the University of Liverpool) that is creating a large database of hoof health records to further improve genetic selection for disease resistance.
Alongside genetics, my research explores the interactions between the host, pathogens and the microbiome in the development of infectious and non-infectious diseases of dairy cattle. My group uses multi-omics approaches to identify the biological mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility and to discover novel biomarkers that support earlier diagnosis, targeted interventions and improved disease prevention.
I am also interested in the application of artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming to improve animal health management. Working closely with industry partners, my research has contributed to the development and validation of automated computer vision systems capable of detecting lameness at an early stage. These technologies have the potential to improve animal welfare by enabling earlier treatment while reducing economic losses and supporting more sustainable dairy production.
A defining feature of my research is its close partnership with farmers, veterinarians, breeding organisations and industry. By combining fundamental biological research with technological innovation and large-scale field studies, my aim is to translate scientific discoveries into practical tools that improve dairy cattle health and welfare, increase farm resilience and productivity, and contribute to more sustainable livestock production systems. My research has attracted funding from UK Research and Innovation (BBSRC and Innovate UK), the Wellcome Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Animal Welfare Foundation and commercial partners, and has informed breeding strategies, veterinary practice and precision livestock technologies used nationally and internationally.
Dairy cattle lameness
Dairy cattle genetics
Microbiomics
Research grants
An Integrated Experimental Framework for Resolving Molecular and Phenotypic Cellular Responses Across Biosystems (AVITI24)
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2026 - August 2027
Bench fees - Berna Kaya
TURKISH EMBASSY (LONDON)
October 2025 - September 2029
The University of Liverpool and Cattle Eye Limited KTP 24_25 R2
CATTLE EYE LTD, INNOVATE UK (UK)
February 2025 - February 2027
Dissecting treponemal immune-modulation to enable disease control.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
January 2024 - October 2027
NovaseqX at Centre for Genomics Research
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2023 - July 2024
Genetic and management solutions for lameness-associated endemic diseases in dairy cattle
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
September 2023 - August 2027
Integrating clinical, data-driven and in-vitro approaches to the study of host-pathogen interactions in bovine digital dermatitis
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2023 - July 2027
CowView- Autonomous livestock monitoring system
INNOVATE UK (UK)
May 2022 - June 2024
Exploring the feasibility of utilising foot trimmers records for the genetic evaluation of resistance to lameness causing foot lesions in dairy cattle.
AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE DEVELOPMENT BOARD (UK)
November 2021 - March 2022
UK-NZ-Argentina Partnership in Antimicrobial Resistome Metagenomics
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
July 2022 - June 2024
Upgrading and implementing mathematical models to increase nitrogen use efficiency of lactating dairy cows (CowficieNcy)
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
September 2018 - June 2023
Mapping the patterns and drivers of antibiotic use and environmental resistance in the Argentine beef industry.
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
August 2019 - March 2024
Aetiopathogenesis and genomic architecture of claw horn lesions in dairy cattle
BIOTECHNOLOGY & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE RESEARCH COUNCIL
December 2018 - January 2023
Deciphering the microbiome of infectious lameness causing lesions in dairy cattle
BRITISH VETERINARY ASSOCIATION ANIMAL WELFARE FOUNDATION (UK)
June 2017 - August 2017
Using genomics to prevent lameness-causing foot lesions in dairy cattle
THE ACADEMY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES (UK)
February 2017 - June 2019
2014 allocation - Wellcome ISSF non clinical fellowships
WELLCOME TRUST (UK)
May 2015 - October 2018
Bench fees for Veysel Bay
TURKISH EMBASSY (LONDON)
November 2015 - October 2018
Research collaborations
Dr Niamh Forde
Conceptus-derived proteins: potential predictors of early pregnancy success in cattle
Division of Reproduction and Early Development, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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R. C. Bicalho; Y. H. Schukken
Dynamics of the Mammary Microbiota During and After Intramammary Infection with Major Mastitis Pathogens
Cornell University
Co-Project Director Co-supervision of one PhD student
Georgios Valergakis; Nikolaos Panousis
Protein metabolism and muscle mobilization in periparturient dairy cattle.
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Co-supervision of a PhD student