Clinical Sciences

Mechanistic studies into canine disease, specifically the focus of my research is comparative cancer biology.  This involves studies on the stem cell basis of cancer through to the translation of new therapeutics into clinical development.

My research interests are in molecular pathways that become dysregulated in cancer and dysregulation of osteoclasts in bone. I have a particluar interest in oral tumours in cats, and how they invade the bone of the mandible as well as feline tooth resorption. Osteoclasts are my favourite cell, so anything related to osteoclasts and I am interested!

• Clinical farm animal veterinary medicine

• Population health and metabolic status

• Immunology and vaccinology

• Zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance  

Mitral valve disease in dogs, tissue engineered solutions to sourcing valve tissue for research.

• The relationship between renal handling of salt in early diabetes mellitus and regulation of blood pressure
• Molecular mechanisms in canine myxomatous mitral valve disease
• Inheritance and genetics of cardiac accessory pathways in UK Labrador retrievers
• Endothelial dysfunction in dogs in naturally occurring risk factors for metabolic syndrome

My main research interest is to improve the understanding of infectious fish disease pathogenesis and resistance, and research in pathology morphometric approaches. I also provide pathology input on a range of collaborative research projects (e.g. squirrel leprosy, canine mast cell tumour metastasis, pulmonary hypertension models, radiation induced lung injury models, and surgical approaches to canine liver biopsy sampling).

As a RCVS recognised Specialist in Feline Medicine, I am interested in all aspects of feline internal medicine, though I have current projects on Mycobacterial infections, feline genomics and dementia.

Neuromuscular diseases in all animals, and all facets of equine neurology.

The use of quantitative statistical and epidemiological methods to address questions of animal/human health and disease surveillance.

Veterinary education, the student experience, assessment and feedback, student wellbeing, e-learning, educational research methods, staff development.

The equine cardiovascular system and its relationship to endocrinological disorders such as equine metabolic syndrome and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction.

Research methodology, open science practices

Within education research: Digital education (effectiveness, utilisation and effects on experience), student learning, student experience, staff teaching experience, effective public engagement.

Within human-animal relationships: animal support, companion animal welfare, animal welfare education.

Monitoring of farm animal health including the links between nutrition, health and productivity in cattle and sheep.

Clinical biomarkers of congestive heart failure in canine patients Novel diagnostic tools in canine mesothelioma Use of 4-D echocardiography in the dog

Equine internal medical disorders, particularly equine respiratory diseases and grass sickness.

Red squirrel surveillance and infectious diseases (squirrelpox, squirrel leprosy); Scottish wildcat conservation and infectious diseases; a novel Amphibiocystidium disease in palmate newts on the Isle of Rum; Scottish raptor mortality; infectious diseases of pine martens

The genetics of atopic dermatitis; allergen specific immunology; antibiotic resistance, particularly meticillin-resistance staphylococci and multi-drug resistant E. coli; and responsible antimicrobial use and infection control.

My current research interests include studying the role of immune checkpoints in canine and feline cancer and inflammatory disease. I am also intereted in interactions between innate and adaptive immune system in cancer patients. 

Emerging infectious diseases of domestic animals and wildlife, canine adenovirus in red foxes and dogs, salmonellosis in dogs and cats, staphylococcal infections of dogs and cats, yersiniosis in domestic and zoo animals, viral pathogenesis and oncogenesis.

Aetiopathogenesis of equine airway disease and characterising the equine pulmonary innate immune response. Equine dysautonomia, primarily in relation to the investigation of aetiologic pathways.

Scotts currently active areas of reseach include the following:

(1) studies on equine grass sickness with a particular focus on the potential aetiological role of ingested pasture-derived mycotoxins;

(2) studies of the innate immunity of the equine airway, with a particular focus on the role of the alveolar macrophage in determining disease susceptibility;

(3) studies on the role of intestinal macrophage activation in the initiation and maintenance of gut motility disturbances following gastrointestinal surgery (post-operative ileus).

I am interested in small animal gastroenterology, especially focusing of mechanisms of disease, clinical assessment and treatment of canine inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)/ chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE).

Use of deep amplicon sequencing approaches to study nematode parasite diversity and co-infections. Performance of different sheep breeds and selected lines in a harsh hill environment. Changing epidemiology of trematode parasites. Population genetics of anthelmintic resistance in nematodes. Haemonchus contotus and Teladorsagia circumcincta genomics. Train-the-trainer livestock health education.  

Current research interests are mainly in the wild game sector, in particular looking at Campylobacter colonisation of pheasants and E, coli STEC in venison and their relevance to public health. I  am also interested in innovative ways of teaching veterinary public health.

Comparative epidemiology of parasitic and infectious diseases and general aspects of animal health.

Advanced imaging of equine fractures

miRNAs and osteoarthritis

miRNAs and SNPs in equine stress fractures

Equine cardiology: sudden cardiac death, 4D echocardiography, mitral and aortic valve function.  General Anaesthesia: haemodynamic effects of anaesthesia in horses. Factors affecting recovery quality in horses, perioperative mortality.

Veterinary medical education; specifically assessment and feedback, student support and wellbeing, e-learning and curriculum development.