Rate My Professor Lea Labeur

Dr. Lea Labeur served as Lecturer in Animal Science and Zoology at the University of New England (UNE) from March 2020 to June 2023, within the School of Environmental and Rural Science in the Faculty of Science, Agriculture, Business and Law. She also held the position of Academic Advisor for Science and Teaching Assistant in the Department of Rural Science and Agriculture from April 2018 to June 2022. Labeur earned her PhD in Livestock Science (Physiology, Behaviour, and Welfare) from UNE, completing her studies from May 2014 to April 2018. Her thesis, titled "The effects of mild prenatal stress during mid- and late-pregnancy, on lamb vigour traits," examined the impacts of environmental stressors on sheep reproduction and neonatal lamb performance. Prior to her doctorate, she obtained an MSc in Livestock Science and Production from AgroParisTech in 2013 and an MSc in Agricultural Science from the same institution in 2011. She further studied Animal Science at Iowa State University from February 2013 to February 2014.

Labeur's academic interests center on animal production, physiology, sheep reproduction, lamb survival, thermal biology, and livestock welfare. Her research investigates how prenatal factors such as mid- and late-pregnancy shearing, cold exposure, and handling stress influence lamb neonatal reactivity, vigour, body surface temperature, and overall productivity. Key publications include "Mid- and late-pregnancy ewe shearing affects lamb neonatal reactivity and vigour" (Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2020), "Infrared thermal imaging as a method to evaluate heat loss in newborn lambs" (Research in Veterinary Science, 2017), "Impact of mid-pregnancy shearing on lamb neonatal body surface temperature in cold conditions" (2018), and "Influence of acute mild winter conditions on the productivity of feedlot cattle: An Australian perspective" (Journal of Thermal Biology, 2024). She contributed to pedagogical advancements with works like "Post COVID Foundation Biology through Interactive Online Learning" (International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 2021) and "Gamified lessons support molecular genetics education of first year biology students during COVID-19 lockdown" (ASCILITE 2021). At UNE, Labeur provided academic advising to science students, as outlined in faculty videos, supporting educational excellence in agriculture and rural science.