معرفی
Dr. Mark Westman (BVSc Hons, PhD, MANZCVS Animal Welfare) is a Professional Officer (Veterinary) at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (NSW Department of Primary Industries) and an Honorary Research Affiliate at the University of Sydney. He completed his PhD at the University of Sydney (2016) and postdoctoral research at the University of Glasgow's Centre for Virus Research (2016-2017), supported by an Endeavour Research Fellowship and Sydney University Early Career Mobility Scheme Grant. From 2017-2019, he taught in the Sydney School of Veterinary Science across units in small/large animal microbiology and veterinary pharmacology.
As a Researcher with part-time academic engagement, his work focuses on feline retroviral diseases (FIV, FeLV) and One Health infectious diseases like leptospirosis, brucellosis, and coxiellosis. He co-founded the Pets in the Park charity (2012) providing free veterinary care to homeless-owned pets. His research on FeLV vaccine effectiveness and FIV antibody responses has influenced clinical guidelines, including the 2020 AAHA/AAFP Feline Vaccination Guidelines collaboration.
Key Research Contributions:
- Developed FIV diagnostic methods using point-of-care tests
- Evaluated molecular diagnostics for bovine pathogens
- Explored urban leptospirosis transmission
- Guideline development for feline retrovirus management
Scientific Awards:
- 2018 Sydney School of Veterinary Science DVM Teaching Award
- 2018 Faculty of Science Alumni Award for Service to Humanity
- 2016 University of Sydney PhD Excellence Award
- Multiple Australian Companion Animal Health Foundation grants
Dr. Westman supervises two PhD students and one Masters student, with collaborations spanning Australia and international institutions. His molecular diagnostics and field research bridge clinical practice and academic discovery.
