Biomedical Sciences experts

Dr Anthony Armson

Parasitology and pharmacological approaches in treatments of parasitic protozoa

Dr Anthony Armson develops pharmacological treatments for parasitic protozoa such as Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Malaria and Trypanosomiasis.

He is currently researching Ross River Virus and its interactions with humans.

The senior lecturer and program chair is one of the founding members of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Murdoch. 

Professor John Edwards

Biosecurity, epidemiology, surveillance and risk analysis

Professor John Edwards is one of Australia’s foremost experts in biosecurity. As Chief Veterinary Officer and Chief Quarantine Officer for Western Australia, Professor Edwards was closely involved in the development of national policy on animal health and quarantine.

The Dean of Murdoch’s School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences is a leading expert in veterinary science, education and research, and the management of Australian and international animal health programs.

Professor Edwards is also an expert in epidemiology, surveillance and risk analysis, particularly in the areas of biosecurity, foot and mouth disease, anthelmintic resistance, control of internal parasites, ovine dermatophilosis, canine heartworm and the evaluation of public awareness campaigns.

Dr Mandy O’Hara

Anatomic and veterinary pathology diagnosis and trials

A senior lecturer in pathology, Dr Mandy O’Hara provides a diagnostic anatomic and veterinary pathology service to government, veterinarians and scientists.

She conducts clinical and research-based trials, and works on criminal investigations and insurance cases.

Dr O'Hara uses animal models of human disease to evaluate gene therapy, parasiticidal agents and antineoplastic drugs. She has also collaborated on projects including investigating a papillomatosis and carcinomatosis syndrome in marsupial bandicoots.

Professor Andrew Thompson

Parasitology; biology, taxonomy and lifecycles of parasite zoonoses

Professor Andrew Thompson has led research to develop drugs against neglected diseases in Africa and South America such as sleeping sickness and Chagas disease.

He has worked on new World Health Organisation research to estimate the global burden of foodborne disease, and made major contributions to the understanding of the biology, taxonomy and lifecycles of Echinococcus, Giardia, Cryptosporidium and other parasite zoonoses.

A recent past president of the Australian Society for Parasitology, Professor Thompson heads Murdoch’s internationally renowned parasitology section in the School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences.