Dr Taiana Costa
Conservation Scholar Alumna
- Qualifications MV PhD MRCVS
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Focus area
Populations
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Location
At the Zoo
- Additional Information
Anatomic Pathology Resident (Zoo and Wild Animals), Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, UK
MPhil student in Veterinary Pathology, Institute of Global Health, University of Liverpool, UK.
I am part of a collaborative MPhil training programme involving the University of Liverpool and Chester Zoo. Since graduating as a veterinary surgeon (Sao Paulo State University, Brazil) in 2003, I have lived in 4 different countries, either doing research or working at zoological collections. Most of my research career has focused on studying the pathogenesis of several infectious diseases, particularly viral and bacterial diseases in birds.
Cowpox outbreaks cause morbidity and mortality outbreaks in zoological collections across Europe. Cheetahs are particularly susceptible to cowpox infection, but it also affects a wide range of species, including humans. My MPhil research project is focused on clarifying the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cowpox infection in zoo animals and its wildlife hosts, as well as developing and optimising a diagnostic technique.
Understating the epidemiology and pathogenesis of cowpox virus infection will certainly contribute to the prevention of future outbreaks of this disease in zoological collections, having a direct impact to improve animal welfare and the conservation program of several species.
Supervisors:
Dr. Javier Lopez (Chester Zoo)
Prof. Dr. Julian Chantrey (Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool)
Dr. Richard Blundell (Department of Veterinary Pathology and Public Health, Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool)