Research Operations
Research Operations provide support at any stage of the project lifecycle for all research communities at the Bristol Veterinary School, including the John Oldacre Centre and the Bristol Veterinary School/CIEL Poultry Centre.
We work with a fantastic team of technical experts, to request technical assistance email us for a request form.
Location: Research Operations Hub, Dolberry Building, 2.14, Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, BS40 5DU.
About us
Dr Richard Bruce
Research Project Officer
“I support research at Bristol Veterinary School and all projects related to the John Oldacre Centre”
To find out more about this role, please see this video.
Research interests: Lung physiology and disease, pharmacology, immunology, cell signalling, environmental toxicology, population health, global food security and enhancing research culture.
Focal species: Cattle, Poultry, Rodents, Fish.
Research skills: Histomorphometry, microscopy (brightfield, fluorescence and confocal), cell culture, RNA-sequencing, qPCR, RNA extraction, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, image analysis (ImageJ & StrataQuest software), gas chromatography, solvent extraction, chemical exposure, colourimetry, ethical review, animal care and husbandry, IOSH managing safely, software programming and engineering (perl, python), statistics (GraphPad and R statistical environment), bioinformatics (Linux), reference management (Mendeley), data platforms (Uniform Agri, Herd Companion), T4 responsive website management.
Francesca Booth, RSci
Research Project Officer
“I support research at Bristol Veterinary School, all projects related to the Poultry Centre and research laboratory requests”
Research interests: animal welfare assessment, poultry science, immunology, microbiology, veterinary anatomy, matrix biology.
Focal species: poultry, cattle, pigs, sheep.
Research skills: registered scientist, poultry welfare officer, validated at keel palpation, BEIC welfare assessment trainer, certified WATOK, IOSH certified at managing safety, laboratory skills (PCR, ELISA, cell culture, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, biomechanics, histomorphometry, microbiology), radiography, DXA, gross and fine dissection, skeleton preparation and building, behaviour observation (Noldus Observer, Boris, Mangold obansys), RFID tagging, accelerometery, thermography.
Róisín Addo
Research Technician
“I support all technical aspects of research at Bristol Veterinary School”
Research interests: Global Wildlife Health and Conservation, animal behaviour and welfare, genetics.
Focal species: Sloths, Tamanduas, Squirrels, Howler Monkeys
Research skills: laboratory management and safety training, RT-PCR, VF radio telemetry, animal behaviour data collection and analysis, animal handling, triage, and medical care.
Role: Collect, process and archive samples. Collect and record data from monitoring equipment or direct observation of animals. Prepare equipment, consumables, and laboratories for use. Animal handling and feeding and preparing/cleaning housing and facilities. Ensure that research is compliant with relevant Health and Safety, ethical and other legislative or policy requirements. To carry out specialised techniques and train others in these and essential core functions. To be aware of the requirements of ongoing research projects and to support research. To analyse samples e.g., blood, urine, faecal material, and tissue and enter data as necessary to support research.
Nick Hunt
School Technician
“I support histology research at Bristol Veterinary School”
Research interests: histopathology, general laboratory management and safety.
Species: farm animal (laboratory work), any species (histology).
Research skills: histology, pathology, ELISA, microbiology, bacteriology, microscopy, elective student teaching.
Role: Collect, process and archive samples. Collect and record data. Prepare equipment, consumables, and laboratories for use. Ensure that research is compliant with relevant Health and Safety, ethical and other legislative or policy requirements. To carry out specialised techniques and train others in these and essential core functions. To be aware of the requirements of ongoing research projects and to support research.
Jade Ward
Research Technician (Veterinary Research Nurse)
“I support all clinical research at Bristol Veterinary School”
Research interests: Myxomatous mitral valve disease, congestive heart failure, mammary cancer, mast cell tumours, osteosarcomas, small mammal anaesthesia
Species: Canine, Feline, Small Mammals, Exotics
Research skills: Animal handling and veterinary care, blood sampling, tissue sampling, tissue dissection, immunohistochemistry, cryogenic fixing and storage, laboratory management and safety training
Role: Collection, processing, and storage of blood, tissue, and other animal samples. Animal handling for sample collection. Provision of veterinary care to research patients. Clinical teaching of students in research clinics. Client management for research patients. Case recruitment. Liaison with clinical staff in the veterinary hospital. Management of frozen and fixed samples for research purposes.
Matthew Munnings
Database Management Officer
“I am joining Research Operations as a full time Database Management Officer working with clinical databases.”
Research interests: All things data, metabolomics, canine demographics, autoimmunity
Species: Any and all, background in canine research
Research skills: Research data management, data cleaning/analysis, metabolomics, analytical chemistry
Role: Responsible for the creation and day-to-day management of a database, ensuring good quality data collection and data entry which will be used to carry out clinical research and audits. This includes developing protocols and standard operating procedures as well as ensuring the highest possible standards of data governance.
Interested in how we can help?
Please get in touch by emailing our group address: