Dr Roberto La Ragione

Veterinary Scientist

I have always been interested in biology and specifically how infections occur. From my early undergraduate studies I was fascinated by the diversity of microorganisms that can share ones body! I was also equally fascinated by why in some individuals these organisms do no harm at all whereas in others they cause clinical disease.

Following my undergraduate studies I embarked on a master’s course in Veterinary Microbiology, followed by a PhD in bacterial pathogenesis and then further postgraduate studies in veterinary pathology. After a number of roles in the public sector I was appointed as Head of the Pathogenesis and Control Group at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in 2005 and a senior lecturer in Veterinary Microbiology at The University of Surrey in 2009.

My research has enabled me to be involved in a number of international projects to study how new and emerging pathogens evolve and subsequently cause disease in animals and humans. These studies have allowed me to apply my practical skills as a veterinary scientist all over the world and work with many international renowned scientists together with fulfilling my interests in travel and culture!

I particularly enjoy teaching and much of my work day is spent mentoring PhD students who are studying under my supervision. This may involve simply providing advice on experiments and presentations or actively working with them in the laboratory. I am also actively involved in undergraduate teaching at the University of Surrey and responsible for part of the Veterinary Biosciences degree programme.

I enjoy working as a veterinary scientist as each day brings a new set of challenges. The work is extremely varied and enables me to interface with many different disciplines and have a real impact on veterinary public health issues.

Dr Lisa Roberts

Virologist, Head of Microbial Sciences Division

Following A levels I decided to study for a BSc in Medical Microbiology at the University of Birmingham and this is where my interest in viruses began. Following four years of working in industry in Brussels, I decided that I missed Microbiology and the thrill of research, and so I returned to the UK and embarked on a PhD in Molecular Virology at the Institute for Animal Health and University of Kent.

After my PhD I was lucky to be appointed as a lecturer in Virology at the University of Surrey. This role allows me to pursue my research into viruses that cause gastroenteritis in humans and those that cause important animal diseases. Through this research I collaborate with a number of scientists in other countries which makes it even more exciting, by approaching the same research question from a number of different angles.

Within my role at the University I am also involved in teaching Virology at undergraduate and undergraduate level. I really enjoy teaching and introducing new students to the fascinating world of viruses!

My research group includes a number of PhD students from the UK and overseas, and so my days also involve their supervision. This includes giving advice on experiments to try, discussing results and new literature, and helping in their development as an independent scientist.

Since joining the University in 1998, I have been promoted first to Senior lecturer and then to Reader in Virology. Last year I was also appointed as Head of the Microbial Sciences division, a highly successful group working on a number of different aspects of Microbiology.

Dr Sharon Brookes  

Veterinary Scientist

Following undergraduate studies I completed a year of research to obtain my Honours degree in Virology at La Trobe University in Australia. I then went on to complete a PhD in veterinary virology at the CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, a high security government funded research facility.

I have been in the UK nearly 20 years. I went on to further post-doc positions at the IAH in Pirbright, 7 years in total working on veterinary virology (ASFV, BTV, FMDV and others). Then 10 years ago I joined the VLA Virology Department, first working in the Rabies group and now the Influenza group.

Now I run my own team working on mammalian influenza and cross-species infection (birds to mammals and zoonoses) within the Influenza group. I work closely with the VLA pathologists and have an interest in host response to virus infection collaborating with other scientist from across the UK and Europe.

We also assist in influenza outbreak response helping the diagnostic team to provide emergency service to Defra, mainly for ‘Bird Flu’ but also swine influenza and more recently pandemic influenza from both a human and pig perspective.

My research has enabled me to be involved in a number of international projects. These studies have allowed me to apply my skills as a scientist all over the world, I enjoy attending meetings and presenting data at usually 2-3 times a year and try to make the most of my work related travel.

Being a veterinary scientist brings a new set of challenges each and every day the work is extremely variable and includes both management and practical laboratory work.