Dr Kate Dutton-Regester Email & Phone Number

Project management, data analysis and manuscript preparation of multiple ongoing research projects involving field work (camera trap deployment, tracking collars), investigating the relationship between free roaming cats, wildlife and landuse; cat ownership behaviours; domestic cat and dog predation behaviours and more. Supervision of research students.

Lecturing and course coordination across multiple courses including Animal Biosecurity, Veterinary Epidemiology, One Health, and, Veterinary Population medicine. Supervision of students (undergraduate, masters and PhD)

Lecturer for Veterinary Reproduction

Gatton, Queensland, Australia

Teaching mapping, trapping, and other wildlife conservation methods and tools for the course Wildlife Technologies, supervision of exams, marking assignments and exams, teaching technical skills in laboratory-based practical classes.

Assisting with grant writing, research outreach, editing manuscripts and other related tasks.

Engaging the community in SEQLD in short-beaked echidna education through engaging walk and talks and child friendly art and craft workshops.

Brisbane, Australia

In 2017 I founded 'For the Wildlife', an e-commerce store where I create and sell Australian flora and fauna-themed products. To date, I’ve donated profits exceeding AUD$7,500; a vital contribution given Australia’s recent flood and bushfire events. https://www.facebook.com/fortheaustralianwildlife

Conducting data analysis of RSPCA Wildlife Ambulance Admissions for Logan City Council LGA.

Australia

As a Wildlife Consultant, my role in a fauna spotter catcher company is crucial for providing comprehensive and accurate reports based on collected data. I specialise in analyzing data, documenting findings, and ensuring the smooth flow of information within the organisation. My primary focus is on producing high-quality reports while maintaining meticulous attention to detail and meeting project timelines.

Laos

I had the pleasure of working in a remote village of Laos to contribute to the study of their unique population of Asian Elephants. During my three months I worked in the 'jungle lab' conducting biological sample preparation (plasma, faeces), ELISA, and elephant behaviour data collection, in addition to managing the laboratory when the primary biologist was on leave.

My research investigated the unique reproductive biology of the short-beaked echidna.Outcomes:1. Using EIA of plasma progesterone, I characterised gestation and the luteal phase; 16 and 15 days, respectively. 2. Using detailed observations of pouch morphology, I confirmed that the pouch only develops during pregnancy and created a four-stage grading system to describe this. 3. I developed a safe, low-impact faecal marking protocol that spiked food colouring powder into echidna’s regular feed to identify an individual’s faeces amongst mating partners contained in the same enclosure. 4. Using daily faecal samples collected from eight females over three breeding seasons, I found progesterone concentrations were elevated above baseline during pregnancy and the luteal phase, offering a non-invasive means of hormone monitoring.5. I identified ‘characteristic’ behaviours of breeding pairs and pregnant females indicating copulation and oviposition, respectively. I also identified two new, previously unrecognized oestrus behaviours: standing oestrus and rump presentation.6. I investigated seasonal changes in adiposity and the role of the adipostatic hormone leptin. Using MRI and DEXA scanning technologies, I found echidnas demonstrated an annual cyclical nature of body fat storage. Interestingly, leptin concentrations from serial plasma samples did not correlate with adiposity suggesting that unlike other mammals, an alternate pathway could control this mechanism. Collectively my thesis enhanced our understanding of echidna reproductive biology and significantly contributes to improved captive husbandry practices. This will not only broaden our knowledge of monotreme biology but also improve assisted reproductive technologies that can sustain critically endangered species.

Gatton, Queensland, Australia

Lecturer for the Introductory Academic Program (IAP). Tasks include preparation and delivery of lecture slides addressing key academic skills, providing feedback and marking of assignments.

Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia

Tasks included: literature review investigating interpretive displays within zoos, interpretive display design for the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary Echidna Breeding Centre, and liaison with ‘Like a Photon’ to create a short-beaked echidna documentary.

Daisy Hill Koala Centre

Tasks include:-Provision of fresh gum for koalas-Cleaning koala enclosures-Daily health check of koalas -Monitoring behaviour of koalas-Gum identification and cutting-Grading eaten leaf and recording data-Educating visitors to the Koala Centre by engaging in conversation about koalas.

My MPhil program investigated and assessed tools for assisting dairy farmers in identifying the causes of lameness in dairy cows. Chapter 2 consisted of a systematic review of the efficacy of tools currently available to dairy farmers for the detection and diagnosis of lameness in dairy cows. This work has been published in Preventive Veterinary Medicine. Chapter 3 assessed the efficacy of remote diagnosis of foot lesions in dairy cows by utilising tele-medicine in the form of simple mobile phone technology. In addition, this study assessed the level of agreement between a dairy farmer and an on-site veterinarian and the onsite veterinarian and a remote veterinarian. This study is currently under review with the journal Dairy Science. This study was presented as an oral presentation at ISVEE in Yucatan, Mexico, 2015.Chapter 4 utilised the social sciences to investigate and understand dairy farmer intentions to make improvements to their management practices of foot lesions causing lameness in dairy cows. Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour I developed a questionnaire to evaluate dairy farmer behaviour. This study is currently under review with the journal Livestock Science.I commenced my MPhil while located in Boston, USA due to family commitments. While not a topic of my core interests, this program provided me with a number of important and transferable skills, these include:-Strong capacity to conduct independent research (quantitative and qualitative)-Ability to conceptualise and solve problems-Advanced knowledge of statistics-Capacity to interpret and manage a large dataset-Preparing manuscripts for journal submission-Grant application writing-Time management skills-Communication with stakeholders-Oral presentations-Poster presentations-Working knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Stata.

Geneva Area, Switzerland

Competative placement awarded on the basis of academic merit and written statement.Duties included: -Support event-based surveillance activities for zoonotic diseases (daily monitoring of worldwide zoonotic events)-Participate in the collation and presentation of information on zoonotic diseases-Conduct risk assessments of zoonotic events-Review literature on specific health threats and create summaries.-Proof reading materials for the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) National Action Plan (NAP) Workshop

Duties included:-DNA and RNA extraction to determine the presence of various diseases of biosecurity threat to Australia-Prepare media for laboratory use-Conduct quality assurance of media-Perform equipment calibration

Brisbane

Competitive placement awarded on the basis of academic merit.Synopsis of research:Francisella tularensis is a highly zoonotic disease. No cases have been reported in SE QLD, in fact it is rare in the Southern Hemisphere. However, after three incidences of similar tularensis strains in Victoria, it was recommended investigation continue not only in Victoria but other states of Australia as well. Over approximately four months I collected samples from various possum species in SE QLD looking for evidence of Francisella tularensis via DNA extraction techniques.Skills acquired:-DNA extraction-PCR-Real time PCR-Pipette use-Literature review-Report writing-Independent research

Tasks included:-Daily husbandry of mice-Identification and treatment of sick mice-Perform subcutaneous and intra-peritoneal injections -Post mortem dissections-Set up and maintain breeding colonies-Mentor junior staff-Daily communication with research staff

Graduate Teaching Associates Program

Doctor Of Philosophy - Phd, Wildlife Reproductive Biology

Master Of Philosophy - Mphil, Veterinary Epidemiology

Veterinary Public Health, Veterinary Epidemiology, Gpa 6

This program covered scientific disciplines relevant to the prevention of animal disease outbreaks and the management of animal health..

Graduate Certificate Environmental Science, Environmental Science, Gpa 7

The specialisation includes advanced studies in environment and population health with a focus on environmental protection and pollution.

Bachelor Of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.), Extended Major Wildlide Science, Awarded Commendation For High Achievement In All Years Of Study, Gpa 6.7