Dr. Mark Williamson

Dr Mark Williamson

Dr Mark Williamson
...
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Pathology), Mark completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne with first-class honours in 1986.His Masters thesis, completed at the University of Melbourne, investigated the use of immunochemistry to differentiate soft tissue tumours.

From 1995 to 2000, Mark was a Scientific Officer with the Australian Animal Health Laboratory CSIRO campus in Geelong, Victoria, where he conducted research and diagnostic investigations into a wide variety of infectious viral diseases including Hendra virus, Classical Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease and rabbit calicivirus.In 1998, he won the National Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Award for Equine Postgraduate Research for his PhD work on the pathogenesis of Hendra virus infection.In 2000, he was co-recipient of the AQIS Award for Science and Research for the detection of a new virus in green tree snakes.

Mark is a member of the Subcommittee of Animal Health and Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS).In addition he is also a member of the NATA Veterinary Testing Accreditation Advisory Committee.Widely published in veterinary journals, Mark has been a reviewer of articles submitted to the Australian Veterinary Journal since 2002, and regularly travels both within Australia and internationally as a conference speaker.

Prior to joining Gribbles, Mark was Assistant Professor of Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University in the United States.In 2003, he was Principal Scientist with the Department of Primary Industries.Mark joined Gribbles in 2004 and is currently based in Melbourne.

Research student of the Year is Dr Mark Williamson who has just completed his Doctorate on transmission of the Hendra virus, which has been identified as potentially lethal to the Australian equine industry.
...
"RM Williams is the most recognisable of the three winners but the sacrifices made by David Hodgson and Mark Williamson in pursuit of their research, although not as visible, are just as worthy."
...
Intensive study of the lethal Hendra virus under difficult conditions earned Mark Williamson the Research Student of the Year.

High-level biosafety conditions required Dr Williamson to work with the live virus only in specially designed laboratories wearing a "space suit" supplied with breathing air.

Despite the impediment he was able to complete his research into the virus distribution with CSIRO's Division of Animal Health.

"Dr Williamson has demonstrated a willingness to tackle a very difficult subject and the results of his work are a great benefit to the equine industry in terms of research and practical application," Ms Vincent said.

Dr Mark Williamson
...
A Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and a Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Veterinary Pathology), Mark completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne with first-class honours in 1986. His Masters thesis, completed at the University of Melbourne, investigated the use of immunochemistry to differentiate soft tissue tumours.

From 1995 to 2000, Mark was a Scientific Officer with the Australian Animal Health Laboratory CSIRO campus in Geelong, Victoria, where he conducted research and diagnostic investigations into a wide variety of infectious viral diseases including Hendra virus, Classical Swine Fever, Avian Influenza, Newcastle disease and rabbit calicivirus. In 1998, he won the National Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Award for Equine Postgraduate Research for his PhD work on the pathogenesis of Hendra virus infection. In 2000, he was co-recipient of the AQIS Award for Science and Research for the detection of a new virus in green tree snakes.

Mark is a member of the Subcommittee of Animal Health and Laboratory Standards (SCAHLS). In addition he is also a member of the NATA Veterinary Testing Accreditation Advisory Committee. Widely published in veterinary journals, Mark has been a reviewer of articles submitted to the Australian Veterinary Journal since 2002, and regularly travels both within Australia and internationally as a conference speaker.

Prior to joining Gribbles, Mark was Assistant Professor of Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University in the United States. In 2003, he was Principal Scientist with the Department of Primary Industries. Mark joined Gribbles in 2004 and is currently based in Melbourne.

Scientist Dr Mark Williamson says research at the CSIRO's Australian Animal Health Laboratory ( AAHL ) in Geelong has shown that while the Hendra virus is not highly contagious , it is often deadly if an infection occurs.

Formerly known as the equine morbillivirus , the Hendra virus has been shown to infect humans , horses , cats and guinea pigs.Fruit bats ( also called flying foxes ) are thought to be the natural 'host' of the virus.

The research findings are published in the Australian Veterinary Journal today ( December 14 ).

Basic research and understanding of this virus will be critical if there are ever further outbreaks of the disease.
...
But perhaps of greater importance , is that the basic understanding gained through the research can be applied to other viruses , Dr Williamson says.

The CSIRO research demonstrates that horses can be infected by eating material contaminated with the virus , and that transmission from cat urine to horses can occur.Horses , cats and guinea pigs excrete the virus in their urine.Most importantly , the research also shows the virus was not carried on the breath of horses.

The Hendra virus produces both lung and brain disease , consistent with related viruses such as canine distemper and measles.

...
Dr Williamson also noted that during the four-year research program into the Hendra virus , two previously unknown diseases also associated with bats have been identified in Australia.

The Australian bat lyssavirus was identified in 1996 after samples from a sick bat were sent to AAHL for testing for Hendra virus.Tests in fact showed that the disease was caused by a close relative of rabies , which occurs overseas.

Two people are known to have died from the illness.

A Rockhampton ( Qld ) bat carer died from the illness in 1996.
...
It ensures that we maintain our skills in dealing with newly emerging diseases , Dr Williamson says.

AAHL scientists first identified the Hendra virus after tissue samples were rushed from Queensland during an outbreak of the mystery disease in Hendra in1994 , in which one human and thirteen horses died.The scientists showed the disease was not caused by an exotic ( foreign ) disease , but was in fact a new virus that had not previously been identified.

One person and two horses died in a later outbreak in Mackay in 1994-95.There have been no further outbreaks of the disease since that time.