Rate My Professor Nigel Perkins

Professor Nigel Perkins, originating from a mixed grazing property in southwest Queensland, holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) from the University of Queensland, a Master of Science from The Ohio State University, and a PhD in veterinary epidemiology from Massey University, New Zealand. He is a Fellow of the American College of Theriogenologists and the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists. Perkins practiced veterinary medicine in Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria, and worked as a veterinary academic clinician at universities in Australia, the USA, and New Zealand. In 2003, he was promoted to Associate Professor in veterinary epidemiology and Group Leader of the EpiCentre at Massey University. He joined the private epidemiology consultancy AusVet in 2004, becoming a Director in 2007. In February 2016, Perkins joined the University of Queensland as Professor of One Health and Academic Superintendent in the School of Veterinary Science, and was appointed Head of School in October 2017.

Recognised nationally and internationally as a leader in veterinary epidemiology, Perkins specialises in One Health issues impacting veterinary medicine, human medicine, and environmental health, including zoonotic diseases, sustainable agriculture, and biodiversity. His research encompasses quantitative epidemiology, clinical trials, and veterinary education, with investigations into animal health, welfare, production, and disease across sheep, cattle, horses, poultry, pigs, aquatic species, wildlife, and human health projects. He has contributed to capacity-building in Asian countries on transboundary animal diseases, risk analysis, and outbreaks. Key publications include the Veterinary Handbook for Cattle, Sheep and Goats (2015, co-authored with Tristan Jubb), Veterinary Handbook for the Live Export Industry version 4.0 (2012), and journal articles such as 'A comparison of traditional visual scoring and a digital object counting approach to assess buffalo fly burden on cattle' (2026), 'Psychological, physical, and professional impact on second victims in veterinary anaesthesia' (2025), and 'Prevalence and spatial distribution of Coxiella burnetii seropositivity in northern Australian beef cattle' (2021). Perkins has held leadership roles as research program manager for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation Horse R&D Program, surveillance program coordinator for the Australian Biosecurity Cooperative Research Centre, Chief Examiner of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and Chair of the Thoroughbred Advisory Panel for AgriFutures Australia.