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Dr Damien Higgins

Dr Damien Higgins


Lecturer, Animal Health and Conservation Biology
Koala Infectious Diseases Research Group (KIDReG)
Faculty of Veterinary Science
Mc Master Bldg B14
University of Sydney NSW 2006
Ph:61 (0)2 9351 7130
Email: damien.higgins@sydney.edu.au

Qualifications

BVSc, M Vet Stud (Wild Animal Medicine & Husbandry), PhD

Teaching Areas

Undergraduate teaching
  • Wildlife Disease
  • Wildlife and Evolutionary Genetics
  • Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis
Postgraduate teaching
  • PhD and Research Masters

Administration

  • Unit of Study Co-ordinator, Introductory Veterinary Pathogenesis
    Coordinator, B An Vet BioSci Year 3
  • Co-ordinator, Health and Disease Curriculum Development, B An Vet BioSci
  • Faculty Research Advisory Committee Member
  • Faculty Representative, Academic Board

Research

  • Wildlife Disease Ecology and Immunopathology

Current projects

  • Health and diseases of the Owston’s Civet in Cuc Phong National Park, Vietnam.
  • “Linking habitat fragmentation and disease: the major histocompatibility complex class II and its role in disease of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).”
  • Investigation into gastrointestinal absorption of xenobiotics by the koala.
  • Genetic Characterization of Chlamydophila of koalas and pathogenesis of chlamydiosis.
  • Immunology and immunogenetics of the Australian Sea Lion
    The anatomy and stranding-associated changes of cetacean ears.

Contribution to the Profession and the Community

  • Barry Munday Recognition Award (2006), Wildlife Disease Assoc. For significant contribution to the field of wildlife health in Australasia over past five years.
  • Animal Ethics Committee Veterinarian.

Selected Publications

Journal Articles

  • ZHU BY, HARTIGAN A, REPPAS G, HIGGINS D P, CANFIELD P J and ŠLAPETA J (in press) Looks can deceive: molecular identity of an intraerytrocytic apicomplexan parasite in Australian gliders. Veterinary Parasitology (Accepted Sept 2008)
  • HIGGINS, D. P and P.J. CANFIELD, (in press). Histopathological examination of the pancreas of the koala. Journal of Comparative Pathology (Accepted 31 Jan 2008)
  • HIGGINS, D. P., S. HEMSLEY and P. J. CANFIELD (2005). Immunohistochemical demonstration of the role of Chlamydia spp. in renal, uterine and salpingeal disease of the koala, and demonstration of Chlamydia spp. in novel sites. Journal of Comparative Pathology 133:164-174.
  • HIGGINS, D. P., S. HEMSLEY and P. J. CANFIELD (2005). Association of uterine and salpingeal fibrosis with chlamydial hsp60 and hsp10 antigen-specific antibodies in Chlamydia-infected koalas. Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology 12(5): 632-639.
  • HIGGINS, D. P., S. HEMSLEY and P. J. CANFIELD (2004). Assessment of anti-bovine IL4 and IFN gamma antibodies to label IL4 and IFN gamma in lymphocytes of the koala and brushtail possum. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 101: 153-160.
  • HIGGINS D. P., G. TOBIAS and G. M. STONE (2004). Excretion Profiles of Some Reproductive Steroids in the Faeces of Captive Female Short-Beaked Echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) And Long-Beaked Echidna (Zaglossus sp.). Proceedings of the Linnean Society NSW: Monotreme III 125:279-286.
  • HIGGINS D. P. (2004). Ultrasonography of the reproductive tract of the short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus). Proceedings of the Linnean Society: Monotreme III 125:277-278.
  • TAHMINDJIS M. A., D. P. HIGGINS, M. J. LYNCH, J. A. BARNES and C. J. SOUTHWELL (2003). Use of a pethidine/ midazolam combination for the reversible sedation of crabeater seals. Marine Mammal Science 19 (3):581-589.
  • HIGGINS D. P., T. L. ROGERS, A. D. IRVINE and S. A. HALL-ASPLAND (2002) Use of midazolam/ pethidine and tiletamine/ zolazepam combinations for the chemical restraint of leopard seals (Hydrurga leptonyx). Marine Mammal Science, 18(2):483-499.

Book Chapters

  • BARNES J, HIGGINS DP and GRAY R (in press) Pinnipeds. In Medicine and Surgery of Australian Mammals. Eds Vogelnest L and Woods R. CSIRO Publishing

Other peer- reviewed publications

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