Current projects
A brief summary of current projects being worked on by Epi-Insight is shown in the table below. Contact Epi-Insight for more information on any of this work.
Modernizing Pathogen Prioritization for U.S. Swine Health: A Risk-Based Framework for 2025 and Beyond
Sponsor: Swine Health Information Center
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Transmissible pig diseases
Time period: 2025 to 2026
Epi-Insight role: Pig expert, Epidemiologist, Technical writer
Description: This work modernizes the Swine Health Information Center's (SHIC) pathogen prioritization matrices. The current versions are considered outdated because they rely on subjective and non-transparent scoring methods. The project will use an internationally recognized Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) method called PAPRIKA to create a transparent, risk-based framework. The final deliverable is a defensible, prioritized list of swine disease pathogens for use in guiding future research and preparedness activities.
Establishing the colonisation pattern of forensically-important insects in southern New Zealand using Sus scrofa as a human proxy
Sponsor: Department of Anatomy in the School of Biomedical Sciences at University of Otago
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2024 to 2025
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon, Pig expert
Description: Studies to establish what insects are likely to colonise human bodies post-mortem in Otago region of New Zealand and the temporal occurrence of their appearance and disappearance based on use of pig cadavers. This information provides the key data needed to refine post-mortem interval estimation in human forensic cases in Otago.
Strengthening the Institutional Mechanism of the South Asia Subregional Economic Cooperation Program
Sponsor: Asian Development Bank
Country: New Zealand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Nepal, Maldives, and Myanmar
Disease focus: Zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety
Time period: 2022 to 2025
Epi-Insight role: Senior Consultant, Epidemiologist, One Health Expert
Description: Promote cross-sectoral and cross-border cooperation on regional health security through the One Health approach to minimize the impact of emerging zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and food safety to trade and economy of SASEC sub-region. Work involved drafting of One Health Action Plan with timeframe and responsible agencies for endorsement at the 2023 SASEC nodal official meeting, and implementation of three regional knowledge sharing events on Enhancing Health Security through Regional Cooperation.
Xenotransplantation of pig tissue into humans
Sponsor: Not disclosed (proprietary)
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2019 to 2099
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Risk assessment, Veterinary surgeon
Description: Provide day-to-day operational oversight of a colony of high-health, specialty genetic pigs maintained for use as xenotransplant tissue donors. Responsible for SOP creation and management, animal ethics committee liaison, daily care, reproduction, biological sampling, and health monitoring.
Clinical trial support using pigs as a model for studies of human nutrition
Sponsor: Massey University Riddet Institute
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Not applicable
Time period: 2014 to 2099
Epi-Insight role: Veterinary surgeon, Project management
Description: Ongoing support of clinical trials for researchers at the Riddet Institute, Massey University, and AgResearch (a New Zealand government funded Crown Research Institute) focussed on use of pigs as a model for studying human nutrition. Have responsibility for all aspects of pig health and welfare, abdominal and minor surgery, catheterization, gastric gavage, pre- and post-mortem sample collection, and animal ethics committee review.
Technical consultant for the New Zealand Pork Industry Board
Sponsor: New Zealand Pork Industry Board
Country: New Zealand
Disease focus: Exotic, endemic, and zoonotic diseases in pigs
Time period: 2005 to 2099
Epi-Insight role: Epidemiology consultant, Veterinary surgeon, Technical writing, Data analysis and reporting
Description: Provide technical input and expertise around issues relevant to the sustainability of the New Zealand pig industry. Activities include producer education, liaison with policymakers, research consultation, technical writing, biosecurity, monitoring of import-export risk goods, representation at stakeholder meetings, support of Board of Directors, and farm visits.