Current projects

A brief summary of current projects being worked on by Epi-Insight is shown 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

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 The current versions are considered outdated because they rely on subjective and non-transparent scoring methods.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 2099
Epi-Insight role
Veterinary surgeon, Pig expert

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.

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

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

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

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.