Personal Statement

I am Professor of Cattle Health and Welfare and Lead of The Ruminant Research Group at the University of Liverpool. I am a veterinarian, an RCVS Recognised Specialist in Cattle Health and Production, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. My research focuses on improving the health, welfare and sustainability of dairy cattle through the integration of veterinary science, genetics, genomics, microbiome research and precision livestock technologies.

After graduating in Veterinary Medicine from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, I completed a PhD investigating the genetics of energy balance and fertility in Holstein dairy cattle. I subsequently gained extensive experience in commercial dairy practice, managing the health and reproduction of a 600-cow dairy herd in Greece before joining Cornell University, where I held research appointments and contributed to studies of dairy cattle lameness, mastitis, reproductive diseases and host–microbiome interactions. As Co-Project Director on a USDA-funded programme, I investigated the dynamics of the bovine mammary microbiome during intramammary infection.

My current research aims to understand the biological mechanisms underlying lameness and other endemic diseases of dairy cattle and to develop practical strategies for their prevention. My group combines field epidemiology with quantitative genetics, genomics, microbiome science, artificial intelligence and precision livestock technologies to identify animals at risk, improve disease resistance through genetic selection, and develop novel approaches for disease detection and management. This interdisciplinary research has attracted funding from UK Research and Innovation (BBSRC and Innovate UK), the Wellcome Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Animal Welfare Foundation, and industry partners.

I work closely with veterinarians, farmers, and industry to translate research into practical solutions that improve dairy cattle health and welfare while enhancing the productivity, resilience and environmental sustainability of dairy farming. I have supervised numerous PhD students, serve on the editorial boards of leading journals, act as an expert reviewer for major national and international funding bodies, and am regularly invited to deliver keynote lectures at international conferences.

Research Overview
My research aims to improve the health, welfare and sustainability of dairy cattle by developing a deeper understanding of the biological, genetic and environmental factors that influence disease susceptibility and resilience. I combine veterinary epidemiology, quantitative genetics, genomics, microbiome science and precision livestock technologies to develop evidence-based solutions.

A major focus of my research is dairy cattle lameness, one of the most significant welfare and economic challenges facing the global dairy industry. My work has helped define the epidemiology of lameness in UK dairy herds, elucidated the genetic architecture of important lameness-associated diseases, and demonstrated the potential of genetic selection to improve resistance to lameness. This research has informed the development of national genetic evaluations used in UK dairy breeding programmes and underpins the establishment of the UK Hoof Health Registry, a national initiative (led by the University of Liverpool) that is creating a large database of hoof health records to further improve genetic selection for disease resistance.

Alongside genetics, my research explores the interactions between the host, pathogens and the microbiome in the development of infectious and non-infectious diseases of dairy cattle. My group uses multi-omics approaches to identify the biological mechanisms underlying disease susceptibility and to discover novel biomarkers that support earlier diagnosis, targeted interventions and improved disease prevention.

I am also interested in the application of artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming to improve animal health management. Working closely with industry partners, my research has contributed to the development and validation of automated computer vision systems capable of detecting lameness at an early stage. These technologies have the potential to improve animal welfare by enabling earlier treatment while reducing economic losses and supporting more sustainable dairy production.

A defining feature of my research is its close partnership with farmers, veterinarians, breeding organisations and industry. By combining fundamental biological research with technological innovation and large-scale field studies, my aim is to translate scientific discoveries into practical tools that improve dairy cattle health and welfare, increase farm resilience and productivity, and contribute to more sustainable livestock production systems. My research has attracted funding from UK Research and Innovation (BBSRC and Innovate UK), the Wellcome Trust, the Academy of Medical Sciences, the Animal Welfare Foundation and commercial partners, and has informed breeding strategies, veterinary practice and precision livestock technologies used nationally and internationally.