Prof Damer Blake

As a teenager and undergraduate student, Damer worked extensively in agriculture (pigs, cattle, horses) and expected to develop a career in the sector, undertaking a BSc in Animal Science followed by an MSc in Pig Production at the University of Aberdeen. During the latter course he became interested in scientific research, completing a placement at the Rowett Research Institute before taking up a PhD at the Scottish Agricultural College (Aberdeen). Following completion of his PhD, Damer spent nine years at the Institute for Animal Health as a research scientist before moving to the academic sector at the Royal Veterinary College (RVC). Combined, these experiences have convinced him of the importance of close collaboration between research and agriculture, ensuring focus on relevant questions in a timely and deliverable manner. Most of his funded research has involved formal or informal links with animal breeding, animal health and/or animal production industry sectors, reinforcing this approach.

Damer works as a Professor in veterinary parasitology at the RVC, teaching all aspects of parasitology in livestock, companion, and wild animals to under-/postgraduate students for more than 14 years. Content includes protozoa, helminths and ectoparasites. He is also research active, with 48 successful applications to date over 20 years as Principle or Co- Investigator worth a combined total of £29.5 million. Among the larger consortia projects, he serves as a programme lead in the One Health Poultry Hub and was a member of the core executive committee for the H2020 SAPHIR project. At a smaller scale he interacts regularly with farmers and integrators including Moy Park and Avara. Damer has a good understanding of the UK and EU research funding landscape and mentors early career lecturers and researchers in development of their own independent research portfolios.

In addition to his role at RVC, Damer was a member of the British Society for Parasitology Council for six years, serving as meeting secretary for three years, and currently works as Editor-in-Chief for the journal Avian Pathology including a position on the executive committee of the World Veterinary Poultry Association. He is a member of the Houghton Trust, with roles including reviewing applications for travel and research funding, and an active member of the BBSRC Pool of Experts, serving on panels A, D and for the NC3Rs.

Combined, his background brings experience of research in a government-driven institute and academia, research with farmers and industry in the UK and overseas, pursuit of funding, delivery of teaching and course development in and around veterinary parasitology and livestock health.