Sebastian McBride

Dr. Sebastian McBride is a lecturer in the Department of Biosciences at Aberystwyth University. He holds a BSc from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Edinburgh. He first joined Aberystwyth in 1996 in the Institute of Rural Sciences, later transitioning to the Department of Computer Science and then conducting research in cognitive neuroscience at the University of Cambridge. He returned to Aberystwyth University in 2016, where he currently conducts research in animal cognition and neurophysiology of behavior.

• Education: BSc, University of Liverpool; PhD, University of Edinburgh
• Appointments: Lecturer, Department of Biosciences, Aberystwyth University (2016–present); previously held positions in Computer Science and Rural Sciences at Aberystwyth, and research roles at Cambridge.

Dr. McBride's research focuses on animal cognition, particularly in relation to human neurodegenerative diseases, repetitive behavioral disorders, and cognitive enrichment in farm and captive animals. His work spans equine and ovine models, with strong emphasis on welfare, sleep, and emotional states. He has led externally funded projects on depression in horses and Alzheimer’s modeling in sheep, contributing significantly to veterinary behavior and translational neuroscience.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining neuroscience, veterinary science, computer vision, and behavioral ecology. Key themes include equine depression, cognitive flexibility in sheep, automatic behavior detection using AI, and the gut-brain axis. His work is frequently covered in press and media, highlighting public interest in animal mental health.

Scientific Awards and Recognition:

• No specific awards listed, but extensive media coverage (28 items) and high public engagement (picked up by 18 news outlets, multiple social media mentions).
• Principal Investigator on two externally funded research projects.

Dr. McBride advises PhD students including Jacky Kuo and Claire O'Brien in the Department of Life Sciences. He leads research projects on cognitive testing in horses and developing ovine models of human disease. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to life on land and responsible consumption. He maintains active research datasets and collaborates across institutions including Hartpury University and the University of Cambridge.