Martina Velasova
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Martina is a Research Assistant within Veterinary Epidemiology and Public Health Group. Her research is mainly focused on epidemiology of pig diseases such as post weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), swine Influenza and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. Currently she is also involved in a dairy cow project. Her interest also includes zoonoses and veterinary public helath.
Biography
Martina graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Kosice, Slovakia in 2004. After the graduation she then travelled to the UK and worked as official veterinarian and local veterinary inspector nearly for four years.
In May 2008, Martina joined the RVC as a research assistant in veterinary epidemiology. Her interest in epidemiology first started during her undergraduate studies when she undertook the course in epidemiology. Through work at the RVC, her interest in epidemiology has expanded and Martina successfully completed the MSc in Veterinary Epidemiology at the RVC and LSHTM in September 2011.
Since then she has continued working as a reasearch assistant. Martina is also registered as a resident of the European College for Veterinary Public Health (ECVPH) and is expected to complete her residency programme in 2013/2014.
Research
Martina's research has mainly focused on epidemiological investigation of post weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome. During this project Martina was involved in data collection through interview with farmers and blood samples collection; data management and statistical analysis including writing final reports. Further, she assisted with farm recruitments, data collection and some statistical analysis for swine influenza project and produced quarterly reports for NADIS pig diseases on-farm surveillance. Martina's MSc research project focused on the epidemiology and surveillance of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection. During her research Martina has collaboarted with various external bodies and organisations such as BPEX, NADIS, AHVLA, Biobest LtD, University of Cambridge and UCL.
Teaching
Martina's teaching activities include assistance with preparation and delivery of practical sessions and DLs within VEPH strand to undergraduate students (BVetMed), year 3 and 4. She has also been involved in development of the new curriculum, in particular she has been involved in preparation and delivery of the lectures, practical sessions and DLs from Food Technology to year 4 undergraduate students (BVetMed).
Selected Publications
BPEX Pig Health Scheme: a useful monitoring system for respiratory disease control in pig farms?: H.R. Holt, P. Alarcon, M. Velasova, D. U Pfeiffer, B. Wieland. BMC veterinary research. 12/2011.
Farm level risk factors associated with severity of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome: P. Alarcon, M. Velasova, A. Mastin, A. Nevel, K. D C Stark, B. Wieland. Preventive veterinary medicine.09/2011.
Assessment and quantification of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome severity at farm level: P. Alarcon, M. Velasova, D. Werling, K. D C Stark, Yu-Mei Chang, A. Nevel, D. U Pfeiffer, B. Wieland. Preventive veterinary medicine. 10/2010.
Prevalence of endemic pig diseases in England: an overview six months into a large-scale cross-sectional study on Post-Weaning Multi-systemic Wasting Syndrome (PMWS): B. Wieland, P. Alarcon, M. Velasova, A. Nevel, H. Towrie, D. Pfeiffer, C. Wathes, D. Werling. The Pig Journal, 2010; 63:20-24