Professor - Veterinary Virology

School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, EWMSC Mt. Hope, Trinidad, West Indies

Telephone: (868) 645-3232 Ext. 4220

Email: chris.oura@sta.uwi.edu


In my scientific career to date I have gained considerable experience working both in the UK and worldwide. I have a strong background in the disciplines of immunology and molecular biology within the veterinary virology and parasitology fields. After completing my PhD, I successfully secured two consecutive highly competitive Wellcome Trust Personal Fellowships, which enabled me to make a name for myself in the Theileria research arena. I took full advantage of the opportunity to contribute to research in Uganda, where I personally equipped and set up my own research lab. Having successfully completed 3 years in Uganda, I returned to the UK to the world famous Pirbright Institute, where I spent 8 years working with various exotic veterinary viruses. In early 2012, I moved to a new post as senior lecturer in veterinary virology at the University of the West Indies and was promoted to full Professor in 2014. I am currently delivering the veterinary virology lecture course to the undergraduate students and am running a ‘One-Health’ based research programme, concentrating on pathogens of importance to the Caribbean region. I am also leading a Climate Change and Health Leaders Fellowship programme. 

Qualifications

  • PhD. Immunology Department, Pirbright Laboratory, Surrey, UK- 1994 – 1997
  • MSc. Tropical Veterinary Science, Centre for Tropical Vet Medicine, Edinburgh University, UK. - 1991 – 1992
  • B Vet Med. Royal Veterinary College, London University, London, UK- 1983 – 1988

Research Interests

  • Identification and characterisation of viruses circulating in domestic animals and wildlife in Trinidad and Tobago
  • Identification of Culicoides biting midge species and related viruses in T&T.
  • Tick virome studies
  • Viruses in fish.
  • Promotion of the ‘One Health’ concept across the Caribbean region
  • Climate Change and Health Leadership.

Professional Experience

  • 2012 - Current: Professor (Veterinary Virology), School of Veterinary Medicine, University of the West Indies (UWI), Trinidad and Tobago.
  • 2004 – 2012: The Pirbright Institute, UK.
  • 2010 – 2012: Deputy Head of the Vector-borne Diseases Programme.
  • 2006 – 2012: Head of the Non-Vesicular Reference labs which included:
  • - OIE, European Community and National reference lab for Bluetongue (BT) African Horse Sickness (AHS), frican Swine Fever Virus (ASFV), Pox viruses (Sheep & Goat Pox and Lumpy Skin Disease); Rinderpest and Peste de Petit Ruminants (PPR)
  • 2006-2007: Acting Head of Pirbright Laboratory
  • 2005 - 2007: Acting Head of the Division of Epidemiology, the Pirbright Institute
  • 2004 - 2012: Head of the African Swine Fever Reference Laboratory.
  • 2004 - 2012: Head of External Training, the Pirbright Institute.

Skills

  • OIE designated disease expert for African Swine Fever, Bluetongue and African Horse Sickness (2005-2012)
  • Member – Bluetongue Expert group for the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
  • Head - Bluetongue Expert Group, Discontools EC Project
  • Disease Expert / Consultant for Edinburgh MSc in Transboundary Diseases
  • Member of the COVID-19 UWI Taskforce - ongoing.
  • CaribVET – Member of the Coordination Committee & Laboratory and Quality Assurance working group.

Honours and Awards

  • Member of the Tropical Medicine Cluster which was awarded “Best Research Team - Encouraging Multi-Disciplinary Research’ - 2014
  • Most Outstanding Regional Research Project (One Health, One Caribbean One Love) – 2016
  • Most Outstanding Researcher (Faculty of Medical Sciences) – 2016
  • The UWI Vice-Chancellor Award for Research – 2017
  • Most impactful Research Project (One Health One Caribbean One Love), Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Day - 2019

Professional Memberships

  • Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS)
  • Member of the Council of the Veterinary Research Club, UK
  • Scientific Editorial board member for the Veterinary Record (UK).
  • Member One Health Research Foundation Board of Directors, Ross Veterinary School, St Kitts & Nevis
  • Member of the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Biological Standards Commission (BSC) 2021-2024.

Courses Taught

  • VETM3003 – Veterinary Virology
  • VETM3004 – Veterinary Immunology
  • VETM2014 – Research Methodology
  • VETM3007 – Problem Based Learning (PBL)
  • MDSC1001 – One Health lectures

Publications and Presentations

Professor Chris Oura’s Publications.docx


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