Biosecurity and epidemiology

Professor Jane Heller

BSc, BVSc, DipVetClinStud, MVetClinStud, PhD, DiplECVPH, MANZCVS

Dr Jane Heller is a Professor in Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health at the School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences at Charles Sturt University. Professor Heller has undergraduate degrees from the University of Newcastle (BSc), and the University of Sydney (BVSc (hons)), postgraduate qualifications from the University of Sydney (DipVetClinStud, MVetClinStud) and the University of Glasgow (PhD) and professional qualifications through the European College of Veterinary Public Health (DiplECVPH) and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (MANZCVS (Veterinary Epidemiology and Veterinary Public Health)). She has held a substantive position at Charles Sturt University since September 2009.

Although Jane has broad experience and interest in Veterinary Epidemiology, her research focus is infectious disease and zoonotic transfer of pathogens, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance and stewardship, and Q fever. Jane also uses her epidemiological skills to contribute to research in different areas, including companion animal and equine health. Jane is increasingly interested in the way that social aspects influence zoonotic disease and the uptake (or lack thereof) of educational resources, collaborative systems and preventive measures. Jane is one of the co-founders of the AMR Vet Collective (www.amrvetcollective.com) and associated free online learning program (www.vetams.org), a Not for Profit, developed with the aim of translating the science around AMR and AMS and engaging veterinarians in this space.

Professor Heller has taught veterinary epidemiology and public health at CSU since 2009. She was responsible for the second phase of the veterinary degree (problem based learning) for five years and has supervised numerous honours, masters and PhD students to completion. While Jane teaches only minimally into the veterinary degree these days, she still supervises postgraduate students and runs a ‘One Health’ teaching day. Jane also contributes heavily to the Epidemiology chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (as examiner (2014 -2019), chair of the subject examinations committee (2018-2021) and member of the Subjects Standards Committee (2022 - current). Jane also teaches antimicrobial stewardship through the AMR Vet Collective and associated Online Learning Program (VetAMS) - www.amrvetcollective.com / www.vetams.org

Professor Heller’s research interests are seated in One Health. Her research focuses on human and animal health outcomes, with zoonotic diseases and in particular antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship and Q fever the focus of most work. Professor Heller has published over 80 peer reviewed papers and has a h-index of 23.