Laboratory staff
Dr Kostas Papasouliotis DVM PhD DipRCPath DipECVCP MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Pathology/Academic in charge of Diagnostic Labs
Kostas graduated from the University of Thessaloniki, Greece in 1989 and after a period in first opinion small animal practice completed a PhD in Feline Gastroenterology at the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol. He spent five more years at Bristol, first as the Waltham Resident in Feline Gastroenterology (two years) and then as a Resident in Clinical Pathology (three years). He is a European veterinary specialist and Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Clinical Pathology at the University of Bristol, where he is the academic lead of the Diagnostic Laboratories.
Ms Kathleen Tennant BVetMed CertSAM CertVC FRCPath MRCVS
Clinical Fellow in Veterinary Clinical Pathology
Kathleen graduated from the RVC in 1996 and continued on for another year as a small animal intern. She then did a residency in small animal medicine and clinical pathology at Cambridge, then after a year in practice, returned to the RVC as a lecturer in clinical pathology. Since 2006 she has been a Clinical Fellow in clinical pathology at Bristol.
Dr Chris Helps BSc(Hons) PhD
Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Molecular Diagnostic Unit
Chris graduated in 1989 with a first in Biochemistry from Bristol University. This was followed by a 3 year Wellcome Trust funded PhD and a 2 year Wellcome Trust funded fellowship, also in the Department of Biochemistry, Bristol University. He moved to the Department of Clinical Veterinary Science in 1995 as a post-doctoral researcher and was promoted to Research Fellow in 2001. He has 20 years’ molecular biology experience and has published over 90 scientific papers. In 2007 he was promoted to Senior Research Fellow. His research interests have focused on the use of novel molecular techniques for the detection and quantification of feline infectious organisms and the detection of nucleotide polymorphisms causing feline genetic diseases. He was awarded the BSAVA Amoroso Award in 2008 for “his major contribution to the development of PCR assays for the diagnosis of feline infectious diseases”.
Chris heads the Molecular Diagnostic Unit and is responsible for the research and development of new diagnostic PCR assays for the detection of infectious and genetic diseases in cats and dogs.
Dr Séverine Tasker BSc BVSc(Hons) PhD DSAM
DipECVIM-CA PGCert(HE) MRCVS
Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine - RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine and European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine
Séverine graduated from the University of Bristol in 1994 and worked for the PDSA before moving to the University of Edinburgh to complete a Feline Advisory Bureau Residency in Feline Medicine. She then moved back to the University of Bristol where she received a PhD investigating feline haemoplasmas. Séverine is currently Senior Lecturer in Small Animal Medicine at the University of Bristol where she is involved with the Feline Centre and the Molecular Diagnostic Unit of Langford Veterinary Services. Séverine became involved with Acarus in 2010, on the retirement of Susan Shaw who was the driving force behind the establishment of the Acarus Unit. Séverine has active research interests in infectious diseases particularly haemoplasma infections, feline infectious peritonitis and imported diseases. She is an RCVS Specialist in Feline Medicine and European Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. She was awarded the BSAVA Woodrow Award in 2008 for outstanding contributions in the field of small animal veterinary medicine. Séverine is author of over 100 papers and book chapters and has been an invited speaker at conferences in Europe, USA and Australasia.
Ms Marta Costa
Clinical Pathology Resident
Mr Geoff Werrett
Diagnostic Laboratories Manager
Geoff started his working life at Middlesbrough Public Health Laboratory. He then moved to the Central Middlesex Hospital Public Health Laboratory in NW London, whilst also studying for the IBMS Special Exam in Medical Bacteriology (FIBMS). Having qualified, he moved to Queen Mary's University Hospital in Roehampton, SW London (next door to the famous Limb Fitting Centre where Douglas Bader was treated) as a Senior Technician and ultimately promoted to Senior Chief Technician in the microbiology laboratories, until moving to the University of Bristol in 1990 as head microbiology technician. Geoff became Superintendent of the diagnostic laboratories whilst employed by the University of Bristol and now is responsible for managing the diagnostic laboratories for Langford Veterinary Services.
Mrs Penny Bond
Office Manager
Mrs Lee Thorneywork
Secretary / Receptionist
Mrs Kay Burt
Biochemistry Technician
Mrs Devyani Patel
Biochemistry Technician
Mr Simon Cue
Haematology Technician
Simon has worked within the Haematology laboratory for 14 years, having previously worked within the University of Bristol in many Departments as a trainee and won the training award 3 years in succession. During his Applied Biology Degree course he was also awarded the science faculty award for attainment. He has developed a wide depth of knowledge and experience, by close involvement with the clinical team and his particular interest in research. He has been co-author on many scientific publications and has presented at the BSAVA congress. He is the system manager for the diagnostic laboratory’s computer system and has a particular interest in evaluation of new techniques in haematology and coagulation.
Mrs Elsa Crawford BSc
Haematology Technician
Elsa graduated in 1983 from the University of Sheffield with a BSc in Biochemistry. She worked as a Biomedical Scientist in Haematology at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, where she gained her Fellowship in Haematology in 1989 (and was awarded the prize for the highest mark). After a move to the West Country in 1996, she worked as a University research technician in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, followed by a stint in Clinical Chemistry at Weston General Hospital before starting her present role in 1999. Elsa has been co-author on a number of scientific publications.
Mrs Kathy Egan
Senior virology/Molecular technician
Kathy has over 30 years’ experience working in diagnostic bacteriology and virology laboratories. She also has international experience of laboratory work having spent 9 years as a bio-medical hospital technician in Ontario and British Columbia, Canada. Since 2000 Kathy has been involved in running the QPCR assays offered by the Molecular Diagnostic Unit. Over this time she has gained considerable expertise in running molecular diagnostic assays.
Mrs Pam Howard BSc
Virology/Molecular technician
Pam graduated from the University of London in 1974 with a degree in Zoology. She has undertaken research in the area of virology and has over 30 years’ experience of working in a diagnostic virology laboratory. Since 2000 Pam has been involved in running the QPCR assays offered by the Molecular Diagnostic Unit. Over this time she has gained considerable expertise in running molecular diagnostic assays.
Mrs Christine Clarke
Microbiology Technician
Chris qualified as an Associate of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences in 1972, whilst working at Southampton General Hospital as a Microbiology Technician. She also worked for a private veterinary laboratory near Southampton before moving to Plymouth where she gained research experience at the Marine Biological Association before returning to the NHS at Plymouth General Hospital. Chris has been a member of the Langford team for over 20 years and during this time has been technical advisor for several research papers, as well as being instrumental in the development of new procedures and participating in the teaching programme for undergraduate veterinary nurses. Outside interests include calligraphy, floral design and gardening.
Mrs Sharon Mitchell BSc
Microbiology Technician
After gaining a BSc (Hons) in Biological Sciences in 1988, Sharon commenced work at Bristol Royal Infirmary and qualified as a Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer in Microbiology a year later. During her 10 years there the laboratory was taken over by the Public Health Laboratory Service (now Health Protection Agency) and so Sharon was able to widen her experience which included several research projects. Sharon moved to Langford in 2000 to begin her present role in Microbiology where she has gained further research expertise as well as helping develop the diagnostic microbiology service.
Mrs Joanne White
Microbiology Technician
Ms Sue Coe BSc
Microbiology Technician
Sue left school following Science A levels and was promptly told that the career for her hadn’t been invented! Sue decided to follow her interests and started work in 1983 as a microbiology technician. After the initial training she moved to Bristol University as a Research technician on a project studying biological control of a fungal pathogen in wheat. Following completion of the project she then moved to Long Ashton Research Station where she worked from 1987 to 2003. Sue gained a BSc (Hons) in Applied Biological Sciences in 1997 and continued to work on agricultural projects until the site closure. Sue returned to the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol to study genetic affects of ageing in nematodes. An opportunity then arose to move into veterinary microbiology at Langford in 2006, where she is continuing to development her interest and knowledge of microbiology and virology. External interests include; four horses, three children, long walks and enjoying the countryside.
Dr Sarinder Day BSc PhD
Molecular technician
Sarinder graduated in Applied Biology in 1989 from Nottingham Trent University. This was followed by a 1 year postgraduate molecular biology training and research program at the University of Leicester. Her first appointment was as a clinical scientist for the National Blood Service (NBS) and Department of Virology, University Hospital, Nottingham where she was involved in the development of RT-PCR based HCV assays for blood donors. She moved to Bristol in 1993 where she worked on molecular diagnostics in the field of Histocompatibility and Immunology for 14 years. After a 1 year Research Associate post in the Department of Transplantation Sciences, University of Bristol she was appointed as a senior clinical scientist at NHSBT and became a registered member of the Health Professionals Council. Sarinder completed a PhD in 2000 on the development and application of allelic genotyping of HLA Class I and related genes, at the University of Bristol. She made a major contribution to the successful implementation of a national HLA allelic typing service for the benefit of stem cell transplant patients. Sarinder joined the Molecular Diagnostic Unit, LVS in September 2008. She is involved with both routine service provision and the development of new QPCR assays. She is also involved with research projects related to veterinary infections and disease.
Mr Dave Morris BSc
Molecular technician
Mrs Debbie Langton
Acarus Molecular Technician
Mrs Penney Needham
Histopathology Technician
Mrs Sheila Jones
Histopathology Technician