Scientific Research Committee
Our Scientific Research Committee is made up of six top vets with a wealth of expertise and experience in poultry and birds. You can learn more about them here.
Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe
Dr Siobhan Abeyesinghe, BSc, MSc, PHD, PGCertEd, FHEA, is a Senior Lecturer in Animal Behaviour and Welfare Science at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Siobhan is also a council member of the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare and was appointed Head of Group to the RVC Animal Welfare Science and Ethics group in 2014. She has been awarded prizes including the Dechra Analgesia Prize for 2017 Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia publications, and the RVC James Bee Education Award for excellence in supporting student learning.
Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr
Dr Tariq Abou-Zahr, BVSc CertAVP(ZooMed) MRCVS, is the Service Lead, Avian & Exotic Animal Service in a veterinary practice in Cardiff. He received his Certificate of Advanced Veterinary Practice in 2018 and has completed two avian and exotic animal medicine and surgery residencies. He has had articles in numerous publications including the Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Record Case Reports, Proceedings of the British Veterinary Zoological Society.
Tom Bailey
Tom Bailey is a Consultant Veterinarian at a veterinary practice in Wales and a Guest Lecturer at Coleg Sirgar, University of Wales, teaching courses on Animal Welfare and Wildlife Rehabilitation and Management. He has previously been the Head of Aviculture and Health for International Wildlife Consultants, the largest CITES registered falcon breeding project in the UK. Tom has also held veterinary roles at falcon hospitals in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. He is also the founder of ZooHealth International and Wildlife Middle East News.
Tom Dutton
Tom Dutton, BVM&S MRCVS CertAVP(ZM) DipECZM(avian), graduated from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Medicine, Edinburgh in 2011. He is the Service Lead, Avian and Exotics in the only full-time specialist staffed, avian and exotic animal specific veterinary service in the Southern UK. Tom has had articles in numerous publications including Vet Record, the Journal of Avian Medicine & Surgery, Veterinary Record Case Reports and The Journal of Small Animal Practice.
Mark Elliott
Mark Elliott, BVSc. VetMFHom. MRCVS. MLIHM. PCH. DSH. RSHom, is the owner and director a small animal clinic, a specialist poultry practice and the West Sussex Biodiversity Project. He is also the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) for The Cat and Rabbit Rescue charity and the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. Mark has also co-authored six books, is a former editor of the British Holistic Veterinary Journal and served as President of the British Association of Homeopathic Veterinary Surgeons.
Neil Forbes
Dr Neil Forbes, BVetMed, FRCVS, Recognised Specialist Zoo and Wildlife (Avian), graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1983 and gained specialist status in 1992. He is a former Fellow and Senior Lecturer at Bristol University and past President of the European College of Zoological Medicine (ECZM) and the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation. Neil is committed to improving teaching and graduate knowledge in exotic animal medicine and leads the only ECZM Avian Residency in the UK.
Marcella Perversi
Marcella Perversi is a small animal vet dealing with a wide and varied caseload of surgical and medical cases. She frequently handles cases of sick hens referred by small animal vets all over the country, often operating on hens with egg peritonitis, tumours and cysts, and runs a telephone advice service. During her veterinary training, Marcella became involved with the Erasmus Project and participated in several wildlife projects including a census of otters in the Pyrenees. Marcella is the BHWT’s vet and member of the board of trustees.
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