Help us fight disease and injury in animals

Cathryn Mellersh

Canine Genetics team leader

Cathryn has worked at the AHT for ten years during which time she has developed and expanded the Canine Genetics Group considerably.  The goal of the majority of studies undertaken by her team is to develop robust DNA tests that breeders can use to determine the genotype of their dogs, with respect to a specific disease-causing mutation, and make sensible breeding decisions that will minimise their risk of producing affected puppies.  Cathryn describes her job at the AHT as ‘perfect’ as it enables her to combine her lifelong fascination for genetics with her love of dogs.

Mike Boursnell

Post-doctoral Research Scientist

After a degree in Natural Sciences at Cambridge University Mike obtained a PhD in the Department of Cancer Studies at Birmingham University.  After a post-doctoral position at the MRC Virology Institute in Glasgow he worked for several years in the field of molecular virology, before joining the AHT in 2003.  At the Trust his main focus is on developing bioinformatics systems for handling canine genotyping data and also on databases for Genetics Services.

Sally Ricketts

Sally originally joined the Genetics Section at the AHT in September 1998 as a Graduate Research Assistant, and in 2001 she commenced her PhD studies in the field of canine immunogenetics in collaboration with the Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research at the University of Manchester.  After graduating with her PhD in 2005, Sally left the AHT to join the Department of Public Health and Primary Care at the University of Cambridge and spent four years as a postdoctoral research associate working on the genetic epidemiology of complex disease in humans.  Sally returned to the Canine Genetics team in December 2009 to take a postdoctoral role in the KC Canine Genetics Research Group and is now focusing her efforts on investigating the genetic basis of inherited cataracts in several dog breeds.

Oliver Forman

Oliver started working at the AHT after graduating from York University in 2003 and is currently studying for a PhD registered with Glasgow University. The focus of Oliver’s work is on inherited neurological conditions, and he was awarded the UFAW companion animal welfare award in 2009 for his work on spinocerebellar ataxia in the Italian Spinone.

Louise Downs

After graduating from the University of Pretoria in 2005, Louise joined the Genetics team as a research assistant working on hereditary ocular disease in dogs. She is currently working towards a PhD, registered with the Institute of Ophthalmology at University College London, with a focus on Progressive Retinal Atrophy in various dog breeds.

Louise Pettitt

Louise joined the AHT in 2001 after graduating from The University of Leicester with a degree in Biochemistry.  She has worked on a number of research projects looking into inherited diseases in dogs which has enabled the development of diagnostic tests.

Bryan McLaughlin

Bryan joined the AHT in 2006 after several years in chemical process QC. His role at the trust is now to manage the collection of canine samples for research projects, having previously spent a few years in diagnostic testing. A particular bonus of working at the AHT is being able to enjoy the lovely grounds in which it is set.

Lisa Jeffrey

Lisa joined the AHT in 2008 as a DNA sample co-ordinator for the Canine Genetics & Cytogenetic research department.
Before joining the AHT, Lisa spent 14yrs as a veterinary nurse at a mixed animal practice in Yorkshire & 4yrs as an administrator at a veterinary practice in Norfolk.
Working at the AHT presents the opportunity to work with & meet a wide diversity of people from around the world.

Louisa qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 1985 and worked in companion animal practice for 14 years before starting her own dog grooming and pet-sitting business. During this time she showed her dogs at championship level and also bred two litters. In 2006 Louisa enrolled at the University of Bedfordshire as a mature student, graduating with a Biomedical Science degree in 2010. She carried out her final-year research project here with the Canine Genetics Research Group and was delighted to return to the team in 2011 as a Research Assistant. Her work on mutation frequencies aims to help breeders to monitor their progress as they strive to improve the genetic health of their breeds.