​BEMB Trust sponsoring two new PhD projects from October 2022 to October 2026
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Following a call for new projects during 2021 which resulted in many high quality applications, the Trust decided to sponsor two new four year projects with one starting October 2022 and the other from January 2023. 

The first is a project led by Dr Dan Price at the Moredun Research Institute, which follows on from previous work carried out into controlling red mite. The project is titled "The Development of RNA interference (RNAi) mediated gene silencing in D. gallinae as a novel tool for parasite control". Post graduate student Naomi Morrison was successfully recruited and commenced her PhD work last October.

The second project is led by Dr Sarah Lambton at the Bristol University Veterinary School and will look at "The causes of laying hen mortality in loose housing systems and implications for welfare and sustainability". ​New PhD student Maud Helwegen started her project in early January 2023.
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Dr Sylwia Sobolewska becomes new Nuffield Scholar for 2023
​The BEMB Trust is delighted to be supporting it's 35th Nuffield scholar this year. Dr Sobolewska is looking into a project entitled "Feed efficiency and targeted genetic selection as the key for sustainable performance and profitability in laying hens". Since she commenced her project in December 2022, Sylwia has already visited Scotland, Canada, USA and Poland. Further research travels are planned to Spain, Israel, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and the Netherlands before she will present her report at the end of 2024.  

Isobel completes her PhD project at the Pirbright Institute

​Under the supervision of Dr Erica Bickerton at the Pirbright Institute, BEMB sponsored PhD student Isobel Webb submitted her thesis entitled "Investigation into the Role of the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Envelope Protein in Viral Replication and Pathogenicity" during the latter part of 2022 and successfully passed her Viva early in 2023.
Isobel also had a paper accepted for publication in 'Viruses' which outlines her project and work. You can read the paper here. 

A lay summary of Isobel's PhD project can be read here and her full thesis can be downloaded from the list below.
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​Recently completed BEMB Sponsored PhD research project theses can be downloaded from the list below for anyone interested or for research purposes

1. Investigation into the Role of the Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) Envelope Protein in Viral Replication and Pathogenicity by Dr Isobel Webb. Thesis download here.

2. Understanding population, genetic and antigenic diversity of the poultry red mite to improve prospects for successful vaccine development by Dr Eleanor Karp-Tatham.  Thesis download here.

3. Control of Avian Intestinal Spirochaetosis (AIS) by Lactobacillus probiotics: understanding the mechanism of action of the binding of LAB to Brachyspira spp. for improved control by Dr Jade Passey.  Thesis download here.

​4. Control of poultry red mite: expression and administration of vaccine antigens to poultry in the protozoan parasite Eimeria tenella by Dr James Pritchard.  Thesis download here.