Research interests

• Input into research and diagnostic testing on endemic, exotic and emerging diseases of livestock. 
• Research areas include veterinary virology, microbiology, immunology, parasitology, epidemiology and pathology for cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, honeybees, aquaculture and other animal industries.

Background

John Seaman fills the role of Research Leader Animal Health within the Biosecurity Research Branch of the Science and Research Division.

His background is in veterinary diagnostic pathology having worked in the Department’s Regional Veterinary Laboratory system for 25 years, including 12 years as Officer in Charge of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory, Orange.

He has strong interests in sheep health issues, having managed the Department’s flock health programs as Program Leader Flock Health with NSW Agriculture* for over 5 years.  Currently he is State Coordinator for the NSW Footrot Control Program and Executive Officer for the NSW Footrot Steering Committee.

General interests in research are into endemic, exotic and emerging diseases to deliver industry solutions to minimise the impacts of pests and diseases on the State’s livestock industries.

*NSW Department of Primary Industries was formed on July 1, 2004 through an amalgamation of NSW Agriculture, NSW Fisheries, State Forests of NSW and the NSW Department of Mineral Resources.

Qualifications

• BVSc
• MVSc
• MACVS (pathology and epidemiology)

Current projects

• Coordination of NSW Footrot Control Program.
• Input into research projects in virology, microbiology, immunology, parasitology, epidemiology and pathology for significant terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases.

Recent Publications

Seaman JT (2008) The New South Wales Footrot Control Program – what industry wanted and what was delivered. Aust College Vet Scientists Conf, Gold Coast, July 2008

Scott-Orr H and Seaman J (2006) The New South Wales Footrot Strategic Plan – a long-term successful disease control program. 11th International Symposium on Veterinary Epidemiology and Economics, Cairns 2006. Pg 201

Seaman JT (2006) The New South Wales footrot control program. Proc Aust Sheep Veterinarians, No 16, Wagga Wagga 2006. Pg 68-70

Cheetham BF, Tanjung LR, Sutherland M, Druitt J, Green G, MacFarlane J, Bailey GD, Seaman JT and Katz ME (2006) – Improved diagnosis of virulent ovine footrot using the intA gene. Vet Micro 116 (1/3): 166-174

Seaman JT (2005) The eradication of footrot in New South Wales via a Footrot Strategic Plan – almost complete. 6th International Sheep Veterinary Congress, 17-21 June 2005, Hersonissos, Crete.  Pg 280-282.

Professional associations and activities 

• Member Australian College of Veterinary Scientists
• Member Australian Veterinary Association

Fields of Research

• 070703 Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics
• 070709 Veterinary Pathology
• 070708 Veterinary Parasitology
• 070712 Veterinary Virology
• 070705 Veterinary Immunology
• 070707 Veterinary Microbiology (excl. Virology)
• 070205 Animal Protection (Pests and Pathogens)

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)

Keyword/phrase list of research interests

• Animal Health Science