Anna Wilkinson
I am Professor of Animal Cognition at the University of Lincoln. I am interested in how animals perceive the world, how they process the vast amount of information that they perceive every day and why they attend to certain aspects of their environment. In particular, I am interested in how reptiles learn about the environment and how it alters the decisions that they make.
Oliver Burman
I am Professor of Animal Behaviour & Welfare at the University of Lincoln. My research is focused on developing better ways to assess reptile welfare and on advancing our understanding as to how the different aspects of captivity can influence reptile behaviour, cognition and welfare. In particular, I am interested in how subtle changes in reptile behaviour and decision-making can be used to tell us how an animal feels.
Tariq Abou-Zahr
I am an exotic animal veterinary surgeon, practicing in the UK. I started in general practice, before embarking on a 4 year post graduate training program (residency) in zoological medicine – or “exotics” as it is often called. I now only treat exotic animals. As well as being an exotic vet, I am also a hobbyist aviculturist and herpetoculturist and have been since a very young age. As a vet and keeper, I have a keen interest in keeping methods which are conducive to positive health and welfare for these animals. I believe that there are lots of positives to keeping animals, both for their human owners and also for the animals themselves – including many exotic species. But I also feel that it’s very important that we demonstrate scientifically what works well and doesn’t work well in terms of their care.
Ros Clubb
I am a Senior Scientific Manager at the RSPCA. My interests lie in improving the lives of wild (non-domesticated) animals in captivity through positive, evidence-based, changes in legislation, policy and management practices.
Frances Baines
I’m a retired veterinary surgeon, researching the use of full spectrum lighting, including ultraviolet and infrared, in the husbandry of reptiles, amphibians and more recently, mammals, birds and invertebrates. I’ve worked with the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) developing a guide to the use of UVB, and run training workshops for professional and hobbyist keepers alike. Species-appropriate lighting and heating is a cornerstone of good reptile and amphibian husbandry, and I believe new insights coupled with new technology have enormous potential for improving animal welfare.
Nigel Baker
CEO – Pet Industry Federation. I joined the Pet Industry Federation, the leading UK trade association for pet businesses, in 2013, and a priority has always been to represent members through lasting and meaningful dialogue with different parties. This has been a principal reason for my involvement with the reptile project at Lincoln University. The knowledge sharing and bridge building that occurs with such excellent partnerships bring enormous value to help ensure that new and prospective reptile owners are better informed and that reptile welfare is safeguarded.
Celia Haddon
I joined Lincoln university in 2014 as a postgraduate student at the grand age of 70, having spent my career on national newspapers. The last 20 years of my time in journalism I was The Daily Telegraph’s pet agony aunt. I am interested in reptiles, because we know so little about them. I believe we need better information about their care and welfare to be available to all reptile owners.
Roman Muryn
I am a retired Chartered Systems Engineer of The Royal Aeronautical Society. Avionic Systems engineering includes understanding safety and the physics that go with airworthy systems. My herpetological interest ran in parallel with my career and somehow my interest in physics spilled over to how heat and light interact physically in reptiles. The hobby is in need of updating technology-wise and I have been working with like minded folk to update understanding of this aspect of the hobby. I have a love of turtles and I encountered my first one in 1974; a lovely little painted turtle male found in New Hampshire and have kept them ever since.
Chris Newman
I am Director of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare. My primary interest is facilitating a better understanding and development of captive reptile and amphibian husbandry. I have a particular interest in spatial requirements and the impact this may have on welfare.
Mark Smith
I am Pet and Reptile Operations manager at Pets at Home, part of the company’s pet team. I have a lifelong passion for the natural world and this has led me to gain an Honours degree in Biology and a Masters in Environmental Sciences, specialising in ecology and introduced non-native species. I am particularly interested in expanding our knowledge of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates as non-traditional companion animals.
Sean Wensley
I am Senior Veterinary Surgeon for Communication and Education at the UK veterinary charity, PDSA. I hold a Master’s degree in Applied Animal Behaviour and Animal Welfare and am a former President of the British Veterinary Association. I Chair the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) Animal Welfare Working Group.
Martin Whitehead
I am a vet and co-director of Chipping Norton Veterinary Hospital. Most of my work is with pets, including exotic pets, and zoo animals. I have a special interest in the health and welfare of captive (pet and zoo) reptiles.
