In my current role I am developing a drug discovery program that is aimed at identifying new anthelmintic compounds that eliminate parasitic infections. This targets parasites found in agricultural enterprise.

My PhD involved investigating the immune response of sheep to the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. I focused on the role of galectins in mediating resistance to infection and explored the application of the "skin prick" test to identify parasite resistant sheep.Papers published in this role include:• Preston S, Sandeman M, Gonzalez J & Piedrafita D, 'Current status for gastrointestinal nematode diagnosis in small ruminants – where are we and where are we going?'… Show more My PhD involved investigating the immune response of sheep to the parasitic nematode Haemonchus contortus. I focused on the role of galectins in mediating resistance to infection and explored the application of the "skin prick" test to identify parasite resistant sheep.Papers published in this role include:• Preston S, Sandeman M, Gonzalez J & Piedrafita D, 'Current status for gastrointestinal nematode diagnosis in small ruminants – where are we and where are we going?', Journal of Immunology Research, 2014 . • Preston S, Dunphy J, Beddoe T, Meeusen E, Young A, ‘Evaluation of the role of galectins in parasite immunity, Methods in Molecular Biology, 2014. • Piedrafita D, Preston S, Kemp J, de Veer MJ, Sherrard J, Kraska T, Elhay M, and EN Meeusen, The effect of different adjuvants on immune parameters and protection following vaccination of sheep with a larval-specific antigen of the gastrointestinal nematode, Haemonchus contortus, PlosPathogen, 2014. Show less

This involved educating up to five post graduate students who were undertaking course work within my area of expertise. I provided advice and support to students on how to perform various experimental procedures. • Master’s student 2011-12: Lead-supervisor of Trine Melgaard, Copenhagen University/Monash University with Assoc Prof David Piedrafita and Dr. Niels Ødum.Thesis Title:“Understanding immune resistance to the parasite Haemonchus contortus in sheep, using an in vitro larval… Show more This involved educating up to five post graduate students who were undertaking course work within my area of expertise. I provided advice and support to students on how to perform various experimental procedures. • Master’s student 2011-12: Lead-supervisor of Trine Melgaard, Copenhagen University/Monash University with Assoc Prof David Piedrafita and Dr. Niels Ødum.Thesis Title:“Understanding immune resistance to the parasite Haemonchus contortus in sheep, using an in vitro larval migration assay.”• PhD candidate 2013: Dhanasekaran Sakthivel – training in larval developmental assays and parasite culture• PhD candidate 2012-2013: Amanda Peers-Adams–training in cell, parasite, culture systems and data analysis• PhD candidate 2012-2013: Md Azam-training in cell counting and parasite biologyHonours student 2011: Dave Lewis-training in parasite culture and immunofluorescence binding assays Show less