Dr. Victoria Brookes

Biography

Victoria graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Edinburgh and gained practical experience in both the UK and Australia. She played a crucial role in emergency animal-disease responses during significant outbreaks, such as the 2001 foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the UK and the 2007 equine influenza outbreak in Australia. After completing her PhD at the University of Sydney in 2014, her research focused on rabies preparedness in Papua New Guinea and Northern Australia for the Australian Commonwealth Department of Agriculture. In 2020, she earned recognition as a Fellow in Epidemiology from the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Practitioners (ANZCVS) and, in 2021, from the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Victoria serves as a Section Editor for PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases and has held the position of past president of the Epidemiology Chapter of ANZCVS. Her research interests are in the application of field epidemiologic methods to enhance evidence-based practices in Health, particularly concerning emerging neglected infectious diseases. She has extensive experience in risk assessment, disease modeling, and the development of preparedness strategies. Victoria's work has significantly impacted animal health, especially within remote Indigenous communities in Australia. Her research covers various diseases, including rabies, Hendra virus, African swine fever, and Japanese Encephalitis virus.

Research Interests